Being Detached

　　絕情

　　從世間的角度來講，絕情是不合常理的。有言曰：“非親有意應可敬，是友無情不可交。”然而，真正看破紅塵的修行人，不顧及情面，遠離惡濁之熏染，是非常有利的。

　　From the perspective of the secular world, to be a detached person doesn”t seem quite proper. An adage says: “Respect those who care about you, even if they are not your relatives; dissociate from those who forsake you, even if they are your friends.” However, for a seeker who feels disillusionment with samsara, it is advisable to stay away from corrupting influences, even if it may seem inconsiderate to others” feelings.

　　普穹瓦(1031-1109)，曾依止仲敦巴11年，是噶當派叁大格西之一，也是噶當派口訣系的開山祖師，他曾說過：“如果孜孜不倦地實修，則如同铠甲上的鱗片，一旦掉落下來，就再也不能拼合複原。同樣，真正修持正法的人，也不可能再與貪婪今世之凡夫俗子同流合汙了。如果對迎合曲從之行深惡痛絕，就會與世間那些爲魔所牽引的人格格不入。他們不高興、不滿意，是他們自己的事。即使他們誹謗譏諷，也決不低眉逢迎。哪怕除了一星半點的口糧之外，別無所剩，在此期間也應安閑從容地修持善法。如果善法增上，自然可利益他衆。”所以，我們平時沒有必要看別人的臉色，對別人唯命是從。要有自己的主見，小範圍暫時的顧及情面，只會影響究竟的修法。如果“撿了芝麻，丟了西瓜”，那就不劃算了。

　　Phuchungwa (1031–1109) studied with Dromtonpa for 11 years, he was one of the three great geshes of Kadampa and the founder of its pith lineage. He once taught: “The scales on a shield, once they fall off, cannot be pasted back on to where they were. Likewise, by practicing genuine Dharma assiduously, you can cast off completely your ties with greedy worldly people. You come to detest any act that caters to others” wants, and you can no longer live in agreement with those controlled by negative forces. Do not be bothered by their displeasure or complaints of you. That”s their business. Decide that you”ll never yield just to please others no matter how severely they slander or criticize you. Practice the Dharma consistently with grace and ease, even when sustenance is running out save for a few mouthfuls of food. When your positive qualities become dominant, you will benefit others spontaneously.” There is no need, therefore, to submit always to others” whims and be a yes-man. Stick to your principles. Trying to spare others” feelings for short term minor issues will obstruct your ultimate pursuit on the Dharma path. Does it pay to be “pennywise but pound foolish

　　”

　　親友、眷屬、財物、威望，這些世間人苦苦追求的目標，究其本源，都是痛苦的虛假幻象。臧巴加惹說過：“貪嗔的根源是故鄉；痛苦的根源是家庭；貪欲的根源是財物；散亂的根源是顧情，這一切均應舍棄。”克怎巴針對眷屬之過患曾感慨道：“侍者、廚師都是令善法散亂的因，今生不應交往其他人，顧及情面的牆應徹底坍塌。”巴 瓦也說過：“威望越大苦越多，敬上護下事不斷，關愛平等積財富，接送痛苦無了時。萬物具備難得樂，以厭離心依靜處。”

　　All the things people pursue so tirelessly—relationships, friendship, wealth, and fame—are in essence nothing but phantoms of suffering. Tsangpa Gyare says: “The root of greed and anger is your homeland; the root of suffering is your family; the root of avarice is money; the root of distraction is emotional attachment. Therefore, renounce all of them.” Khetsun Bartsen once lamented the faults of keeping subjects: “Your attendants and cooks all distract you from true Dharma. Sever your associations with worldly folks. Make no more acquaintances in this life; let the wall of fastidiousness to affection fall.” Pawo expressed the same sentiment: “The more famous you become, the more trouble you have; serving the chief and managing subordinates involve numerous activities; you have to distribute allowance and attention without bias to all your subjects, otherwise their coming and going will pester you to no end; having it all will not bring you happiness. Therefore, seek a place of solitude with genuine renunciation.”

　　作一個“絕情”的人，即使親朋好友想不通，也只會對他們有利，而不會對他們有害的。

　　As you are becoming a “detached person,” your friends and relatives may be baffled. Even so, this will only do them good; no harm will come to them whatsoever.

　　壬午年四月初一

　　2002年5月13日 　

　　1st of April, Year of RenWu

　　May 13, 2002