狮吼音·开示集：使生命具有意义

　　使生命具有意义

　　如各位所知，观音是一切诸佛及菩萨的化身，他的梵文名字是Avalokiteshvara (注：梵文直译为“观自在”)，而他所修持的便是仁爱与慈悲。所有的教派和一切众生，无论任何信仰或者传统都可以修持观音菩萨修行法门，因为这是一个适合所有人的法门。

　　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，有一部分人是对佛教感兴趣的，同时也有不是的。但无论如何，我们都有着一个共同的愿望，就是要使此生更具意义，要令此生幸福圆满。

　　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义、快乐幸福。而对仁爱和慈悲的修持可以使我们实现这个愿望。

　　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，都是为了帮助人们消除痛苦，为了产生快乐以及令我们的人生更有意义。让生命具有意义并充满快乐对我们来说是最基本、最重要的。无论我们做什么，无论我们的所为神圣还是世俗，如果不能带来快乐和喜悦，那所有的行为都是徒劳无功的。既然我们作出的所有决定，都是基于要令生命更有益和有价值这个目的，那么任何不正确的的决定都将带来相反的后果。

　　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.

　　每个人对于如何生活并使生活更富有意义，都有他们自己不同的方法和观点。对于某些人来说，快乐意味着一己的成功，而无需关心他人的福祉。但另一些人则不只在乎自己的幸福，同时还考虑到他人的福祉。

　　Each individual has a different approach or mental outlook on how to live their life and make it meaningful.  For some individuals 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.

　　那么，过一种自利的生活或者选择对于他人更富意义的生活道路，孰者更佳呢？这两者有着迥然的不同。

　　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(我们只需要依赖神)，但是如果我们选择这样一条自利的道路，在这条路上我们忘却或者忽视了实际上每个人都是相互依存的，而宁愿选择孤独的话，我们将无法发现这个事实：人们必须相互依靠才能找到真正意义上的幸福，才能使生命更有价值。

　　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.

　　如果我们问自己一句：我们对他人的福祉是否有所影响？答案将会是肯定的。举例来说，可以想象一下我们的家庭生活，如果有一名家庭成员不快乐，所有的成员都要受牵连，我们都有责任去帮他(她)一把。因此，同样的道理，每一个众生都有可能为我们带来极大的帮助。当有人遇到困难，我们则都有责任施以援手。

　　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.

　　成就具义人生，才有可能同时给自己和他人带来欢乐。想想如今我们的世界里的纷纷扰扰，你又如何能够置身事外？你需要一个积极的态度去成就具义及喜悦人生，这就是令你的人生丰盛、有意义的基本要素。

　　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.