Realization

　　生命的真相：

　　Once we realize the nature of life (characterized by unsatisfactoriness, change, and egolessness)as well as the nature of man”s greed and the means of getting them satisfied, we can then understand the reason why the happiness so desperately sought by many people is so elusive like catching a moon beam in their hands. They try to gain happiness through accumulation. When they are not successful in accumulating wealth, gaining position, power and honour, and deriving pleasure from sense satisfaction, they pine and suffer, envying others who are successful in doing so. However, even if they are ”successful” in getting these things, they suffer as well because they now fear losing what they have gained, or their desires have now increased for more wealth, higher position, more power, and greater pleasure. Their desires can never seem to be completely satiated. This is why an understanding of life is important so that we do not waste too much time doing the impossible.

　　当我们了解生命的真相(苦、无常和无我)时，我们还会像一般人那样，追求欲望的满足吗？我们理解追求虚无的幸福就好像在水中捞月，对欲望的渴求、无法获得真正的快乐。当人们无法成功的累积财富、满足于权力、地位和荣誉时，他们感到痛苦和憔悴，就算是那些「成功人士」也一样要面对这些问题。他们害怕失去所拥有的一切，他们希望拥有更多的财富、更大的权力、更高的地位、更多的荣誉，他们的欲望永远也无法得到满足。这就是为什么了解生命的真相是非常重要的。

　　It is here that the adoption of a religion becomes important, since it encourages contentment and urges a person to look beyond the demands of his flesh and ego. In a religion like Buddhism, a person is reminded that he is the heir of his karma and the master of his destiny. In order to gain greater happiness, he must be prepared to forego sort-term pleasures. If a person does not believe in life after death, even then it is enough for him to lead a good, noble life on earth, enjoying a life of peace and happiness here and now, as well as performing actions which are for the benefit and happiness of others. Leading such a positive and wholesome life on earth and creating happiness for oneself and others is much better than a selfish life of trying to satisfy one”s ego and greed.

　　宗教信仰，对人类来说是非常重要的。宗教信仰让人类看清楚感官的欲求和自我的执着。譬如佛教，它告诉我们「业力」控制了我们的命运。要获得更大的快乐，就必须放弃短暂的快乐。如果一个人，今生过着善良和神圣的生活、享受着宁静与幸福，就算他不相信有来生，可是这一切善的果报却利益了自己和他人。拥有这些正面生活条件的人，能为自己带来幸福，胜于那些只想满足自我和欲望的自私者。

　　If, however, a person believes in life after death, then according to the Law of Karma, rebirth will take place according to the quality of his deeds. A person who has done many good deeds may be born in favorable conditions where he enjoys wealth and success, beauty and strength, good health, and meets good spiritual friends and teachers. Wholesome deeds can also lead to rebirth in the heavens and other sublime states, while unwholesome deeds lead to rebirth in suffering states. When a person understands the Law of Karma, he will then make the effort to refrain from performing bad actions, and to try to cultivate the good. By so acting, he gains benefits not only in this life, but in many other lives to come.

　　如果，一个人相信有来生，他会根据自己的业力而获得重生。一个人如果拥有很多善行，他将往生于善界，他将拥有财富和成功，俊俏和充满精力，健康和拥有良师益友。善行导致往生善界，恶行则往生恶界。当一个人了解「业力」后，停止恶行，努力于善行，最后所获得的果报，不仅是利益今生，也利益了无数的来生。

　　When a person understands the nature of man, then some important realizations arise. He realizes that unlike a rock or stone, a human being possesses the innate potential to grow in wisdom, compassion, and awareness

　　 and be transformed by this self-development and growth. He also understands that it is not easy to be born as a human being, especially one who has the chance to listen to the Dhamma. In addition, he is fully aware that his life is impermanent, and he should, therefore, strive to practise the Dhamma while he is still in a position to do so. He realizes that the practice of Dhamma is a life-long educative process which enables him to release his true potentials trapped within his mind by ignorance and greed..

　　当一个人…

《生命的真相 Realization》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…