靜思

　　Quiet Contemplation

　　一場雨染綠了芳草，庭前院後的花兒肆意地開放著。坐在院中，翻開《寶箧經》，上面寫著：“初學者爲令自心寂靜調順，應居于靜處。”確實如此，在修行未證得境心無二前，我們應當遠離散亂。

　　A shower enlivened the grass, making it look as if it had been sprinkled with a green dye. Flowers on the front porch and in the back yard bloomed lavishly. Sitting in the yard, I turned the pages of Sutra of Jewel Chest and read this passage: “In order to attain a peaceful and supple mind, a beginner should train in a solitary place.” Indeed, until we have merged appearances and mind, we should stay away from distracting surroundings.

　　無垢光尊者也說：“自己未得境界前，易受愦鬧幹擾，應依止靜處。”很多人喜歡弘法利生，如果自心能與竅訣融爲一體，則無論行住坐臥皆是修道，佛法以外本無世間法。宇宙山河，森羅萬象，十方國土，皎然清淨。能達到如此境界，則如何行事都無所謂。

　　Longchen Rabjam also states: “Before attaining realization, a person”s mind is easily influenced by external distractions. Therefore, one should stay put in a tranquil place first.” This advice is particularly apt for those who aspire to teach the Dharma and benefit beings. By initially practicing in solitude, one melds the master”s pith instructions into the mind. One sees that apart from the Dharma essence, there are no worldly appearances and all activities of walking, sitting, standing, or sleeping are none other than practices. When one perceives all things in nature and all cosmos in 10 directions as clear, pure appearances, one will be able to accomplish any undertaking effortlessly.

　　夏瓊寺大格西夏爾東在《菩提道次第論》中雲：“若外境對自心無有危害，法心合一，去到北京、天津等大城市弘法，則值得隨喜。但尚未證達此境者，需獨自修行。弘法好，獨修更好。”

　　The great Geshe Shardong of Shyachung Monastery says in Essays on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment: “If one has become immune to external ills and has melded the Dharma with the mind, then his spreading the Dharma in big cities such as Beijing or Tianjin is a feat worth rejoicing. However, before attaining such realization, one should practice by oneself. It is great to teach the Dharma, but it is even better to practice solitarily.

　　豎耳傾聽，除了一兩只鳥兒偶爾劃過上空，發出翅膀扇動的撲拉聲，萬籁俱寂。舉目環顧，除了院子裏的花燦爛地張揚著，滿目清涼。

　　Listening with all ears, I only heard the flapping wings of birds gliding over the sky now and then. Silence reigned everywhere. Looking around, the surroundings were cool and subdued, but for the flowers in the yard showing off unabashedly.

　　雖然這裏是幾千人彙集的道場，因爲上師叁寶不可思議加持力所致，人人以調服自心爲己任，即使是已證悟的成就者，也是韬光養晦、不露鋒芒，使喇榮溝成爲了人丁興旺的寂地。此生能在此寂地成爲一員，真乃叁生幸事！

　　Larung Gar is the home of thousands of Dharma aspirants. Through the inconceivable blessings of our beloved Guru and the Three Jewels, people here are committed to the task of taming their own minds. Realized practitioners will still hide their accomplishment and keep a low profile, making Larung Valley an alcove attracting many spiritual seekers. I feel utterly fortunate that I am at this serene land and can be a member of this community!

　　壬午年五月二十五日　

　　2002年7月5日　　

　　25th of May, Year of RenWu

　　July 5, 2002