Realization

　　生命的真相：

　　Once we realize the nature of life (characterized by unsatisfactoriness, change, and egolessness)as well as the nature of man”s greed and the means of getting them satisfied, we can then understand the reason why the happiness so desperately sought by many people is so elusive like catching a moon beam in their hands. They try to gain happiness through accumulation. When they are not successful in accumulating wealth, gaining position, power and honour, and deriving pleasure from sense satisfaction, they pine and suffer, envying others who are successful in doing so. However, even if they are ”successful” in getting these things, they suffer as well because they now fear losing what they have gained, or their desires have now increased for more wealth, higher position, more power, and greater pleasure. Their desires can never seem to be completely satiated. This is why an understanding of life is important so that we do not waste too much time doing the impossible.

　　當我們了解生命的真相(苦、無常和無我)時，我們還會像一般人那樣，追求欲望的滿足嗎？我們理解追求虛無的幸福就好像在水中撈月，對欲望的渴求、無法獲得真正的快樂。當人們無法成功的累積財富、滿足于權力、地位和榮譽時，他們感到痛苦和憔悴，就算是那些「成功人士」也一樣要面對這些問題。他們害怕失去所擁有的一切，他們希望擁有更多的財富、更大的權力、更高的地位、更多的榮譽，他們的欲望永遠也無法得到滿足。這就是爲什麼了解生命的真相是非常重要的。

　　It is here that the adoption of a religion becomes important, since it encourages contentment and urges a person to look beyond the demands of his flesh and ego. In a religion like Buddhism, a person is reminded that he is the heir of his karma and the master of his destiny. In order to gain greater happiness, he must be prepared to forego sort-term pleasures. If a person does not believe in life after death, even then it is enough for him to lead a good, noble life on earth, enjoying a life of peace and happiness here and now, as well as performing actions which are for the benefit and happiness of others. Leading such a positive and wholesome life on earth and creating happiness for oneself and others is much better than a selfish life of trying to satisfy one”s ego and greed.

　　宗教信仰，對人類來說是非常重要的。宗教信仰讓人類看清楚感官的欲求和自我的執著。譬如佛教，它告訴我們「業力」控製了我們的命運。要獲得更大的快樂，就必須放棄短暫的快樂。如果一個人，今生過著善良和神聖的生活、享受著甯靜與幸福，就算他不相信有來生，可是這一切善的果報卻利益了自己和他人。擁有這些正面生活條件的人，能爲自己帶來幸福，勝于那些只想滿足自我和欲望的自私者。

　　If, however, a person believes in life after death, then according to the Law of Karma, rebirth will take place according to the quality of his deeds. A person who has done many good deeds may be born in favorable conditions where he enjoys wealth and success, beauty and strength, good health, and meets good spiritual friends and teachers. Wholesome deeds can also lead to rebirth in the heavens and other sublime states, while unwholesome deeds lead to rebirth in suffering states. When a person understands the Law of Karma, he will then make the effort to refrain from performing bad actions, and to try to cultivate the good. By so acting, he gains benefits not only in this life, but in many other lives to come.

　　如果，一個人相信有來生，他會根據自己的業力而獲得重生。一個人如果擁有很多善行，他將往生于善界，他將擁有財富和成功，俊俏和充滿精力，健康和擁有良師益友。善行導致往生善界，惡行則往生惡界。當一個人了解「業力」後，停止惡行，努力于善行，最後所獲得的果報，不僅是利益今生，也利益了無數的來生。

　　When a person understands the nature of man, then some important realizations arise. He realizes that unlike a rock or stone, a human being possesses the innate potential to grow in wisdom, compassion, and awareness

　　 and be transformed by this self-development and growth. He also understands that it is not easy to be born as a human being, especially one who has the chance to listen to the Dhamma. In addition, he is fully aware that his life is impermanent, and he should, therefore, strive to practise the Dhamma while he is still in a position to do so. He realizes that the practice of Dhamma is a life-long educative process which enables him to release his true potentials trapped within his mind by ignorance and greed..

　　當一個人…

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