忠告

　　Sincere Counsel

　　如果有些修行人，在寂靜山林中修行，我們應盡量提供方便、幫助和安慰，使之千萬不要離開。這樣不僅功德很大，而且很有必要。供養修勝義善法之人的功德，一般的凡夫難以衡量。但若製造違緣，後果也不堪設想。

　　If we happen to know someone is doing spiritual practices in deep mountain woods, we should try our best to offer provisions, help, and encouragement, such that the practitioner doesn”t ever think to cut short the retreat. This kind of support is not only in great need but also most meritorious. The virtue of offering to practitioners is unfathomable to ordinary minds. On the other hand, the consequences of creating obstacles to them are equally unimaginable.

　　很久以前，在一座山裏住著一只山兔和一位修行人。一次，很久沒下雨了，修行人爲之所困，不得不准備離開，到城市去。山兔得知後，再叁勸阻，卻不能打動他。最後不得不跳入火坑，爲其講訴靜處的功德、城市的過患。終令修行人爲之感動而留了下來，並最終獲得成就。

　　Once there were a mountain hare and a practitioner in the high mountains. At one time a drought befell the area for a long period; parched, the practitioner was forced to prepare to leave his retreat and head for the village. Learning this, the mountain hare tried very hard to stop the practitioner, but to no avail whatsoever. In the end, the hare resorted to jumping into a flaming pit, declaring to him the advantages of a place of solitude versus the drawbacks of the village. The practitioner was so moved by the hare that he decided to stay put. Eventually, he attained accomplishment.

　　世間的人們卻往往不如一只山兔，真是令人慚愧。所以，即使我們不能爲那些修行人提供順緣，但也千萬不要製造障礙。

　　Compared with this mountain hare, ordinary people are usually nowhere close. Isn”t it embarrassing! Even if we are unable to offer the necessary provisions for practitioners, we should, by all means, not create any obstacles.

　　作爲修行人也應明白，只要真心修行，再大的困難也能克服。博朵瓦曾說：

　　As for practitioners, it should be understood that by dint of concerted effort, difficulties could be overcome, no matter how great they may prove to be. Geshe Potowa has taught:

　　“即使紛紛揚揚下了九天九夜的大雪，雲雀也能尋覓到棲身之地。同樣，即使整個國土動蕩不安，正法衰落隱沒，如果孜孜不倦地策勵修習，也必能找到隱藏容身並促進修行之勝地。”

　　After a nine-day snow blizzard, the skylarks can still find a place to hide for safety. Likewise, even when the whole country is in turmoil and the Dharma is degenerating, by tenacious study and striving, one is bound to find a niche conducive to spiritual practice.

　　違緣往往是成就的先兆，不要埋怨外境，應向內觀。

　　Obstacles usually are the presages of accomplishment. Do not blame outward circumstances; reflect inward instead.

　　壬午年叁月初五　　

　　2002年4月17日

　　5th of March, Year of RenWu

　　April 17, 2002