離家

　　Leaving Home

　　作爲一個修行人，如果在家修持，極易爲貪嗔癡的外境所轉。即使自己想安住，也會因親朋的打攪而生煩惱。所以，離家修行是上上之舉。

　　If a spiritual seeker tries to do his practices at home, he is likely to be influenced by situations of craving, hatred, and delusion. Even if he has every intention of concentrating on his studies, friends and relatives easily stir up his emotion. Hence, the smartest thing to do is to stay away from home to practice.

　　佛經雲：“何處生煩惱，須臾不得住。”

　　The scripture says: “A place that incites afflictive emotions is a place not to stay even for an instant.”

　　博朵瓦也說：“遠離故鄉與親友，如理作意棄散亂，此等之人趨解脫。”

　　Geshe Potowa also says: “Leave behind your hometown, relatives, and friends. Give up distractions and steer your mind according to the teachings. By doing so, you will attain liberation.”

　　臧巴加惹的修行語錄中也有這樣一段話：“煩惱因外境而生，不舍棄故鄉真是愚癡；修行需對治煩惱，不依對治者真是愚癡；聽聞佛經依因緣而得，不籌備因緣真是愚癡。若遠離故土，即使謠言四起，也不後悔；心依止上師，即使饑餓而死，也不後悔；若通達心性，即使短暫依師，也不後悔。若遠離家鄉，即有了對治煩惱的好緣起；不貪圖樂果，即已産生正信的好緣起；舍棄世間法，是發布施的好緣起。不舍棄故鄉，貪嗔是不會間斷的。因此，首先離家極重要。世間瑣事不能舍棄，就無時修持；世間財物不能放下，就不能斬斷親友的牽連。”

　　The following quote is found in Tsangpa Gyare”s teachings on practice: “External circumstances trigger afflictive emotions, clinging to one”s homeland is indeed foolish. Spiritual practice is meant to subdue disturbing emotions, knowing not to apply antidotes is indeed foolish. The opportunity to hear the Dharma results from causes and conditions; not knowing to create favorable causes and conditions is indeed foolish. Having left the homeland far behind for practice, you have no regret whatsoever even if rumors abound. Having resolved to follow a spiritual teacher, you have no regret even if you die from starvation. Having realized the nature of the mind, you have no regret even if your time with the teacher was brief. To leave the homeland is a favorable condition for overcoming afflictions. To give up the craving for pleasure is a favorable condition for establishing right views. To banish worldly affairs is a favorable condition for making offerings. So long as you are attached to your homeland, you cannot rid yourself of greed and avarice. Henceforth, the first crucial step is to bid farewell to your home. If you cannot give up worldly engagements, you will never have the time to practice. If you cannot relinquish your worldly possessions, you will never sever entanglements with friends and relatives.”

　　看來，故土家園的過患確實無窮。大智者應難舍能舍，難行能行。

　　In all, it seems the ills of staying in one”s homeland are indeed endless. A truly wise person should let go of what is difficult to give up and carry out what is difficult to do.

　　遠離家鄉和財務的糾纏，依止靜處時，才能深切感受到諸大德教言的勝妙之處。

　　Only when we have settled in a secluded place, free from tangles of money and homeland, shall we come to appreciate deeply the sublime meaning of the masters” teachings.

　　壬午年叁月二十日 　

　　2002年5月1日

　　20th of March, Year of RenWu

　　May 1, 2002