狮吼音·开示集：什么是真正的修持？

　　世界上不同的精神传统中都存在着某种形式的对神的信仰，我们向神表达自己的崇拜和敬仰。这些神祗或者有着切实的物质形态，或者只是一种抽象的能量形式。似乎大部分的精神传统都会有它们特别的一套神圣的、可供祷告的仪轨或者经文。藏传佛教中，也有着大量的经文、仪轨，经由诸多伟大的精神导师一直传承下来，他们为我们留下了经典和仪轨，让我们去学习和祈祷。

　　In all the various spiritual traditions of the world there exists some belief in some form of divinity to whom we express our adoration.  This divinity may be in a tangible physical form or a more abstract energy form.  It also seems that in most spiritual traditions there is a particular set of texts or scriptures which are honoured and offered prayer.  In Tibetan Buddhism there are a large number of scriptural texts that have come down through various spiritual beings who have left them for us to study and supplicate.

　　既然在宗教取向上我们都是一致的，我们应该谨记在心的是，我们在精神上的修持应该对我们产生积极和美好的影响。虽然通常，我们的确投入了大量的精力修行，但却只是在外相上看上去很神圣而已。更有甚者，历经多年这些修持都只是影响了我们的外相，却没有对我们的心灵产生真正的影响。我们不应该被这些外相所蒙骗，事实上外相之下缺乏真正的智慧的增长。

　　Given that we are all equal in our spiritual inclination, we should bear in mind that our spiritual practices should have impacted on us in a positive and good way.  Often though, it seems that we are just spiritual in our outer appearance and the amount of energy that we actually put into our spiritual practices.  Further, over the years it still seems to be in outer appearance rather than having really made some impact on our minds. We shouldn’t be deceived by these outer expressions that are in fact devoid of true intellectual development.

　　有时候，我们外在的修持的确是真实的。通常由于一些特别的外部环境或者外缘，我们会比其它时候更有宗教倾向。但无论如何，如果我们一直在等待有利的环境来激发我们的神圣行为，我们又怎么能够期望会真的变得神圣呢？如果只是一天几个小时的修行，还要视乎外缘如何，那些修持的利益又怎么能够深植于内呢？

　　Sometimes its true that our external practices are real.  Often due to exceptional outer circumstances or external conditions that we are more spiritually inclines than at other times. However, if we are always waiting for favourable circumstances to trigger our spiritual behaviour then how can we ever expect to become truly spiritual?  If its just a couple of hours a day and due to external conditions, how can the spiritual values become deeply embedded?

　　当我们讨论到精神修持，它应该是指生活中各个方面的神圣而有益的修持。我们的整个生命，每一天都变得日渐殊胜，我们的心态在日常生活中，自然而然会渐渐变得更健康。

　　When we talk about engaging in spiritual practices, it should mean that is serves spiritual and beneficial practices in all areas of our lives.  Our whole being becomes spiritual everyday and our mind’s outlook becomes naturally wholesome continuously on a daily basis.

　　有一点很重要，应该谨记于心的是：如果只是等待着一些殊胜的环境出现，然后在这种魅惑之下，做某些所谓神圣的行为，这样就好比是沉迷于酒精的状态--当事情变得糟糕，一个人开始喝酒，在酒精的影响下忧虑和麻烦都止息了，但是当酒精的影响一旦消失，平常的真实状况又再一次地出现--这就像是在等待殊胜情况的发生。因此最好能够保证持续的修行，这样才能够在心灵的觉悟和调伏上，带来持续性的进步。精神的修持不应该是偶尔而短暂的。你们的修行应该是负责的、可靠的，如此心灵才可以变得稳定，充满仁爱、慈悲和宁静。

　　It is important to bear in mind that simply waiting for spiritual circumstances to arise and then, under it’s spell, doing certain spiritual activities, is likened to indulging in substances such as alcohol etc. When things get rough one drinks, then, under the sway of alcohol the cares and troubles cease but when the effect wares off then once again the daily reality reveals itself.  This is like waiting for special circumstances to arise.  It would be better to maintain your spiritual practices continuously so that there will be constant progress in the mind of awakening and in taming the mind.  Spiritual practice shouldn’t just be once in a while.  Your spiritual practice should be accountable and reliable so that the mind becomes stable in the qualities of love, compassion and tranquility.

　　为了使生命变得全然殊胜，你需要把修行变成一个持续的习惯，每日都坚持，尤其是在面临诸多障难和干扰生起时。

　　In order for one’s life to become completely spiritual you need to make a constant habit of spiritual practice, maintaining it daily and especially in the face of the numerous obstacles and hinderances that arise.

　　我们在修行道路上的主要障难就是：我们相信一种幻相，过于强调我们此生行为的重要性。我们的思想受到这样的禁锢，因而看不到有其他的选择。任何与此不同的观点对我们完全没有作用。

　　The main hinderance on our path is the reliance we place in the illusion of the importance of the activities of this life.  We are so locked into this way of thinking that we find it almost impossible to see any other alternatives.  Any other view cannot even make a strike!

　　过去所有伟大的上师都曾同出一辞地告诉我们：除非我们能完全地放弃这个幻相，认识到此生的虚幻，我们才能真正认识到佛法的真相。放弃幻相之前，我们无从看到佛法的真相。

　　In the past all the great masters in one voice used to say that until we’ve given up the illusion of the reality of the futility of this life totally then we can’t really turn our minds to the reality of the Dharma.  The Dharma until then is completely oblivious to such people.

　　但是一开始，我们仍然需要变得非常务实，并尽我们的最大努力进入道。我们慢慢地开始，系统地通过增加越来越多的修行，而逐渐减少世俗的事务。

　　Initially though, we need to become very realistic and enter the path as best we can.  We start by slowly and systematically compromising the activities of this life with more and more spiritual practicies.

　　同样的，考虑到我们对此生幻相一贯的执着，如果我们试图一次将所有东西通通抛弃，并不见得会为我们的未来带来很好的结果。因此我们需要圆融地处理，每次放弃一点世俗需求，慢慢逐渐地、持续地在我们的日常生活中加入精神元素。

　　In the same line, given our habitual pattern of clinging to the illusion of this life, if we try to renounce everything all together and at once then it probably won’t work out well for our future.  We need therefore, to strike a compromise and give up a little at a time thereby integrating truly spiritual elements slowly, gradually and consistently into our day-to-day lives.

　　为了在我们的生命中铺下真正的修行之路，我们必须在当下就非常明确：无论我们从事哪一类世俗行为，它们都无法带来任何长久或者究竟的快乐。这就是修行背后显著的本质和意义。我们说真正无伪的修行，不应是随大流之所为，当一个人知道是什么促使他承担起修行的责任时，真正无伪的修行应该是一种全然的喜悦。修行的基础，就是破除对此生幻相的执着——所以，破除它吧！

　　In paving the way for true spiritual practice to take place in our lives, we need to be very clear right now that no matter what or in the name of any worldly activity, it can never bring any long lasting or substantial happiness.  This is the striking reality and meaning behind embarking on spiritual practice.  This, so called genuine practice, is not just going along with the flock but generates utter joy because one knows whats impelling one into undertaking genuine spiritual practice.  The basis then, is breaking through the fixation on the illusion of this life……so break through!