使生命具有意義

　　 如各位所知，觀音是一切諸佛及菩薩的化身，他的梵文名字是Avalokiteshvara (注：梵文直譯爲“觀自在”)，而他所修持的便是仁愛與慈悲。所有的教派和一切衆生，無論任何信仰或者傳統都可以修持觀音菩薩修行法門，因爲這是一個適合所有人的法門。

　　 As you may know Chenrezig is an embodiment of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. His Sanscrit name is Avalokiteshvara and his practice is love and compassion. All religions and all beings irrespective of faith or tradition are free to undertake this practice as it is a practice for everyone.

　　 今天在此的各位，有一部分人是對佛教感興趣的，同時也有不是的。但無論如何，我們都有著一個共同的願望，就是要使此生更具意義，要令此生幸福圓滿。

　　 Among those here today, there are some who are interested in Buddhism whilst others are not. However, what we all have in common is the wish to make this life meaningful and to be filled with happiness.

　　 所有精神修持的初衷都是希望生命具有意義、快樂幸福。而對仁愛和慈悲的修持可以使我們實現這個願望。

　　 The source of all spiritual practices is the wish to make life meaningful and happy. The practice of love and compassion accomplishes this wish.

　　 首先，要了解所有的宗教之所以存在，都是爲了幫助人們消除痛苦，爲了産生快樂以及令我們的人生更有意義。讓生命具有意義並充滿快樂對我們來說是最基本、最重要的。無論我們做什麼，無論我們的所爲神聖還是世俗，如果不能帶來快樂和喜悅，那所有的行爲都是徒勞無功的。既然我們作出的所有決定，都是基于要令生命更有益和有價值這個目的，那麼任何不正確的的決定都將帶來相反的後果。

　　 In general, it must be understood that all the different religions have come into existence as a means to try to help people to overcome their suffering. They are a means to produce happiness and to make our lives more meaningful. Making our lives meaningful and filled with happiness is of fundamental importance to us. Whatever our actions, whether they are spiritual or mundane, if they don”t achieve happiness then all these activities are just useless. Since we make every decision based upon this objective of making our lives wholesome and meaningful, any incorrect decisions will have serious adverse consequences for us.

　　 每個人對于如何生活並使生活更富有意義，都有他們自己不同的方法和觀點。對于某些人來說，快樂意味著一己的成功，而無需關心他人的福祉。但另一些人則不只在乎自己的幸福，同時還考慮到他人的福祉。

　　 Each inpidual has a different approach or mental outlook on how to live their life and make it meaningful. For some inpiduals happiness relates to their independence and prosperity with not much concern for the welfare of others. Other people think of not only their own welfare but also the welfare of others.

　　 那麼，過一種自利的生活或者選擇對于他人更富意義的生活道路，孰者更佳呢？這兩者有著迥然的不同。

　　 So is it better to pursue a self-orientated life or to take the path that turns life to become meaningful for others

　　 There is a striking difference between the two.

　　 有一些宗派相信只有神是永恒的(我們只需要依賴神)，但是如果我們選擇這樣一條自利的道路，在這條路上我們忘卻或者忽視了實際上每個人都是相互依存的，而甯願選擇孤獨的話，我們將無法發現這個事實：人們必須相互依靠才能找到真正意義上的幸福，才能使生命更有價值。

　　 Some traditions believe that god is permanent but if we take such a self orientated path where we forget or ignore that we are actually interdependent and prefer to rely on such total solitude then we”ll miss realizing the fact that actually depend on others to find true happiness and make our lives meaningful.

　　 如果我們問自己一句：我們對他人的福祉是否有所影響？答案將會是肯定的。舉例來說，可以想象一下我們的家庭生活，如果有一名家庭成員不快樂，所有的成員都要受牽連，我們都有責任去幫他(她)一把。因此，同樣的道理，每一個衆生都有可能爲我們帶來極大的幫助。當有人遇到困難，我們則都有責任施以援手。

　　 If we ask ourselves if we have any effect on the welfare of others then the answer would have to be “yes”. Think of our family life, for example. If one member is unhappy then everyone suffers. We all have a responsibility to up lift him or her. Therefore, each and every being has the potential to be of great benefit for us. When someone is faced with difficulties, it is our responsibility to help them.

　　 成就具義人生，才有可能同時給自己和他人帶來歡樂。想想如今我們的世界裏的紛紛擾擾，你又如何能夠置身事外？你需要一個積極的態度去成就具義及喜悅人生，這就是令你的人生豐盛、有意義的基本要素。

　　 By making one”s life meaningful, it is possible to make oneself and others happy at the same time. Think about some of the disturbing things that are happening in our world these days. Can you continue on without being disturbed by them too

　　 You need a great positive attitude to make life meaningful and happiness is the fundamental ingredient in making life rich and meaningful.

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