静思

Quiet Contemplation

一场雨染绿了芳草，庭前院后的花儿肆意地开放着。坐在院中，翻开《宝箧经》，上面写着：“初学者为令自心寂静调顺，应居于静处。”确实如此，在修行未证得境心无二前，我们应当远离散乱。

A shower enlivened the grass, making it look as if it had been sprinkled with a green dye. Flowers on the front porch and in the back yard bloomed lavishly. Sitting in the yard, I turned the pages of Sutra of Jewel Chest and read this passage: “In order to attain a peaceful and supple mind, a beginner should train in a solitary place.” Indeed, until we have merged appearances and mind, we should stay away from distracting surroundings.

无垢光尊者也说：“自己未得境界前，易受愦闹干扰，应依止静处。”很多人喜欢弘法利生，如果自心能与窍诀融为一体，则无论行住坐卧皆是修道，佛法以外本无世间法。宇宙山河，森罗万象，十方国土，皎然清净。能达到如此境界，则如何行事都无所谓。

Longchen Rabjam also states: “Before attaining realization, a person’s mind is easily influenced by external distractions. Therefore, one should stay put in a tranquil place first.” This advice is particularly apt for those who aspire to teach the Dharma and benefit beings. By initially practicing in solitude, one melds the master’s pith instructions into the mind. One sees that apart from the Dharma essence, there are no worldly appearances and all activities of walking, sitting, standing, or sleeping are none other than practices. When one perceives all things in nature and all cosmos in 10 directions as clear, pure appearances, one will be able to accomplish any undertaking effortlessly.

夏琼寺大格西夏尔东在《菩提道次第论》中云：“若外境对自心无有危害，法心合一，去到北京、天津等大城市弘法，则值得随喜。但尚未证达此境者，需独自修行。弘法好，独修更好。”

The great Geshe Shardong of Shyachung Monastery says in Essays on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment: “If one has become immune to external ills and has melded the Dharma with the mind, then his spreading the Dharma in big cities such as Beijing or Tianjin is a feat worth rejoicing. However, before attaining such realization, one should practice by oneself. It is great to teach the Dharma, but it is even better to practice solitarily.

竖耳倾听，除了一两只鸟儿偶尔划过上空，发出翅膀扇动的扑拉声，万籁俱寂。举目环顾，除了院子里的花灿烂地张扬着，满目清凉。

Listening with all ears, I only heard the flapping wings of birds gliding over the sky now and then. Silence reigned everywhere. Looking around, the surroundings were cool and subdued, but for the flowers in the yard showing off unabashedly.

虽然这里是几千人汇集的道场，因为上师三宝不可思议加持力所致，人人以调服自心为己任，即使是已证悟的成就者，也是韬光养晦、不露锋芒，使喇荣沟成为了人丁兴旺的寂地。此生能在此寂地成为一员，真乃三生幸事！

Larung Gar is the home of thousands of Dharma aspirants. Through the inconceivable blessings of our beloved Guru and the Three Jewels, people here are committed to the task of taming their own minds. Realized practitioners will still hide their accomplishment and keep a low profile, making Larung Valley an alcove attracting many spiritual seekers. I feel utterly fortunate that I am at this serene land and can be a member of this community!

壬午年五月二十五日　
2002年7月5日　　

25th of May, Year of RenWu
July 5, 2002