甲一、申敬禮述宗旨
01. 法身善逝佛子伴,及諸應敬我悉禮; 今當依教略宣說,佛子律儀趨行方。
1. Reverently bowing to the Sugatas,
who are endowed with the Dharmakaya,
together with their children and all who are worthy of veneration,
I shall concisely present a guide to the discipline of the children of the Sugatas in accordance with the scriptures.
V1
This is a verse of homage to all the Buddhas and bodhisattvas.The Nalanda pandits always began their works with paying homage. Firstly, this was to reinforce humility. Secondly, by paying homage to the Triple Gem, it would clear all obstacles to composing the text and thirdly, the manner of paying homage would indicate what category of teachings the text came under. This specific homage shows it comes under the Sutra/Discourse category of teachings. If the homage begins with a reference to Manjushri or a deity, then the text would be under Abidhamma category.
Those who go in bliss refers to the fully Enlightened Ones.
The Dharma they have mastered – the omniscient mind understanding
every single aspect of phenomena.
To all their heirs – refers to spiritual sons and daughters of the Buddhas who are the Bodhisattvas, the immediate successors of the Buddhas. Therefore Shantideva is not only paying homage to the Buddhas but also the Dharma refuge and the Arya Sanghas.
All those who merit veneration – He also pays homage to all Arhats, including those from the Hearer and the Solitary Realizer Vehicles.
The entrance to the bodhisattva discipline – refers to the practice of the 6 Perfections of morality, generosity, patience, perseverance (joyful effort), concentration and wisdom.
V1
這是禮敬一切諸佛菩薩的偈頌。首先,這是為了加強謙卑。第二,禮敬三寶,可以掃除修行的一切障礙;第三,禮敬的方式,可以表明是哪一門教法。這種特殊的敬意表明它屬於佛經/話語教義的範疇。如果頂禮以提及文殊菩薩或本尊開始,那麼該文本將屬於阿毘達磨類別。
入極樂者,指圓滿覺者。
他們所修持的佛法——遍知心悟
現象的每一個方面。
一切子嗣——指諸佛的精神兒女,即菩薩,即諸佛的直接繼承人。因此,寂天不僅是在禮敬佛陀,也是在禮敬法皈依處和聖僧。
一切值得供養的人——他也頂禮一切阿羅漢,包括來自聲聞乘和偏行道乘的阿羅漢。
菩薩戒入門——指修行六波羅蜜戒、布施、忍辱、精進、定慧。
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甲二、示自謙明目的
02. 此論未宣昔所無,詩韻吾亦不善巧; 是故未敢言利他,為修自心撰此論。
2. There is nothing here that has not been said before, nor do I have any skill in composition. Thus, I have no concern for the welfare of others, and I have composed this solely to season my own mind.
V2
Shantideva declares that he is not creating new teachings but is re-stating what has been taught by past Buddhas and is thus a valid teaching. He humbly claims to have no knowledge and even states that this teaching will not benefit others and that he has written it only to fortify his own learning.
V2
寂天宣稱他不是在創造新的教法,而是在重申過去諸佛的教法,因此是有效的教法。他謙虛地聲稱自己沒有知識,甚至說這個教法對其他人沒有好處,他寫它只是為了鞏固自己的學問。
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03. 循此修習善法故,吾信亦得暫增長; 善緣等我諸學人,若得見此容獲益。
3. Owing to this, the power of my faith increases to cultivate virtue. Moreover, if someone else with a disposition like my own examines this, it may be meaningful.
V3
Shantideva points to the fact that his faith will increase by engaging in the 6 Perfections and expresses the hope that perhaps some people may gain some benefit by reading this text. This illustrates Shantideva’s humility. It’s worthwhile to reflect and rejoice that having this teaching exist today is indicative of our collective merit, so we should take this opportunity to strive to engage in the bodhisattva’s ways and gain perfection.
V3
寂天指出一個事實,即他的信心會因從事六波羅蜜而增加,並表示希望也許有些人可以通過閱讀這篇文章而獲益。這說明了寂天的謙遜。值得反省和慶幸的是,今天有這部教法,是我們集體功德的象徵,所以我們應該藉此機會努力修行菩薩道,獲得圓滿。
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第一品 菩提心利益
甲一、明菩提心所依
乙一、思惟暇身難得
04. 暇滿人身極難得,既得能辦人生利, 倘若今生利未辦,後世怎得此圓滿?
4. This leisure and endowment, which are so difficult to obtain have been acquired, and they bring about the welfare of the world. If one fails to take this favorable opportunity into consideration, how could this occasion occur again?
V4
So hard to find such ease and wealth – The pre-conditions for cultivating bodhicitta are firstly, having the precious human rebirth (of the 10 freedoms and 8 endowments) and secondly, the mind as the basis to cultivate bodhicitta.
If I now fail to turn it to my profit, How could such a chance be mine again? If we do not use this life meaningfully, there may be no other chance in the future. The rarity of a precious human rebirth is told in the form of an analogy: Imagine a blind turtle that dwells at the bottom of the ocean and only surfaces once in a 100 years. Next, imagine a golden ring floating on the ocean. What are the chances of this blind turtle which rarely surfaces, coming up from the bottom of the ocean and being able to place its head into the golden ring? The rarity of the precious human rebirth is likened to this.
The causes for a precious human rebirth human rebirth are equally rare. Firstly, one needs ethics/morality. In previous lives, we have cultivated Dharma and avoided the 10 non-virtues, resulting in our gaining this present human life with Dharma. Thus, we should continue in this way – try to uphold vows beginning with the 5 lay vows of avoiding killing, lying, stealing, sexual misconduct and taking intoxicants.
We break our promises to the Buddha, to humans, to animals – all these are unethical actions, creating obstacles to our gaining another precious human rebirth. Without effort in living life ethically, how can we gain another precious human rebirth? Without such a rebirth, we would lose the chance of attaining enlightenment.
To make the teachings a part of our lives, we need to habituate our minds with them. This is simple logic! In order for us to have a very rich practice, we need to study, contemplate and then meditate on the teachings. Like here in the Centre, we have a variety of classes for study, meditation and also practice-sessions like mandala offering, water bowl offerings – all these are opportunities. If we do not grab these opportunities, we might not have them again in the future.
V4
如此安逸與財富,難得一見——修菩提心的先決條件,一是得人間(十自在八資糧),二是心為修菩提心之本。
今若不為我所用,我又怎會有這樣的機會?如果我們不有意義地利用這一生,將來可能就沒有其他機會了。以類比的形式講述了珍貴的人類重生的稀有性:想像一隻盲龜住在海底,每 100 年才浮出水面一次。接下來,想像一個漂浮在海洋上的金戒指。這只很少浮出水面的瞎眼烏龜,從海底爬上來,能把頭戴進金戒指裡的機率有多大?人身難得如是。
珍貴人身的因緣 人身同樣罕見。首先,一個人需要倫理/道德。我們在前世修行佛法,遠離十不善業,以法得今世人身。因此,我們應該繼續這樣下去——嘗試持戒,從不殺生、不妄語、不偷盜、不邪淫和不飲酒這 5 個居士戒開始。
我們違背了對佛陀、對人類、對動物的承諾——所有這些都是不道德的行為,為我們獲得另一個寶貴的人身製造障礙。如果不努力以道德的方式生活,我們怎麼能獲得另一個寶貴的人身呢?沒有這樣的重生,我們將失去證悟的機會。
為了讓教法成為我們生活的一部分,我們需要讓我們的心習慣於它們。這是很簡單的邏輯!為了讓我們有一個非常豐富的修行,我們需要研讀、思惟然後禪修教法。就像在中心這裡一樣,我們有各種各樣的學習、冥想課程,還有像曼陀羅供養、水碗供養這樣的修行課程——所有這些都是機會。如果我們不抓住這些機會,我們將來可能不會再有這些機會。
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乙二、思修善心難生
05. 猶於烏雲暗夜中,剎那閃電極明亮; 如是因佛威德力,世人暫萌修福意。
5. Just as lightning illuminates the darkness of a cloudy night for an instant, in the same way, by the power of the Buddha, occasionally people’s minds are momentarily inclined toward merit.
V5
The mind of the human being is the basis for generating bodhicitta. God- realm beings, the Form and Formless Realm beings and beings of other realms cannot practice bodhicitta because they do not have the qualities of the precious human rebirth e.g. being born with complete faculties and in a place where Dharma is taught and there are practitioners of Dharma to support spiritual practice etc, which facilitates the cultivation of bodhicitta, the cause of enlightenment.
As when a flash of lightning shows all that the dark clouds had hidden, likewise virtuous thoughts arise rarely and briefly. Even though the nature of the sky is clear, clouds interrupt its clarity. Similarly, our nature of mind i.e. our Buddha nature, is clear and luminous. However, like the darkness of the night, it is completely dominated by ignorance and heavily obscured by the delusions of anger, attachment, jealousy etc . Under these circumstances, it is difficult for virtuous thoughts to arise and when they do, they are like the lightning in the sky, brief, temporary, a mere flash of virtue and it is gone.
By knowing this, in order to regain the clarity of mind, we need to find a way to clear the clouds of delusions and remove the darkness ignorance. To see our own Buddha nature, we need to clear all gross and subtle defilements, one by one, applying antidotes to those delusions. Only then can we challenge the ignorant mind. Otherwise the ignorant mind will not move one inch! However we first need to be convinced about our Buddha nature. That is why this verse talks about the mind being the basis of bodhicitta.
V5
人心是發菩提心的基礎。天界眾生、有色界眾生、無色界眾生,以及其他諸界的眾生,不能修菩提心,因為他們不具備往生的珍貴功德。生於五根具足,處處有法傳法,有修行者供養修行等,有利於菩提心的培養。
就像當一道閃電照亮了烏雲所隱藏的一切時,同樣地,善念很少而短暫地生起。儘管天空的本質是晴朗的,但云彩會破壞它的清晰度。同樣地,我們的心性,即我們的佛性,是清澈明亮的。然而,就像夜晚的黑暗一樣,它完全被無明所控制,並被憤怒、執著、嫉妒等的妄想所遮蔽。在這種情況下,善念很難生起,生起時,就像天空中的閃電,短暫、短暫、功德一閃即逝。
知道了這一點,為了恢復心的清明,我們需要找到一種方法來清除妄想雲和去除黑暗無明。要看到我們自己的佛性,我們需要一一清除所有粗細的煩惱,對治這些煩惱。只有這樣,我們才能挑戰無知的頭腦。否則愚昧之心寸步不移!然而,我們首先需要確信我們的佛性。這就是為什麼這首偈頌說心是菩提心的基礎。
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甲二、思惟菩提心利益
乙一、總明菩提心利益
丙一、滅罪勝餘善
06. 以是善行恆微弱,罪惡力大極難堪, 捨此圓滿菩提心,何有餘善能勝彼?
6. Thus, virtue is perpetually ever so feeble, while the power of vice is great and extremely dreadful. If there were no spirit of perfect awakening, what other virtue would overcome it?
V6
The virtuous mind, the altruistic mind in us is very weak. Even though we may understand virtue and wish to cultivate it, our determination is constantly eroded due to the forceful impact of delusions. We often perform virtue in a distracted way or with mixed motivation but when we engage in delusions like anger, we engage in a very intense and pure way. We are totally overwhelmed by the delusions – there are 6 root ones – ignorance, attachment, anger, pride, doubt and wrong view. It is not an easy task to rid ourselves of delusions.
V6
我們內心的善心、利他心非常薄弱。即使我們可能了解戒德並希望修習它,但我們的決心會因無明的強大影響而不斷受到侵蝕。我們經常以散亂的方式或以混合的動機來修德,但當我們從事像憤怒這樣的妄想時,我們會以一種非常強烈和純淨的方式從事。我們完全被無明所淹沒——有 6 個根本——無明、執著、嗔、慢、疑和邪見。擺脫妄想不是一件容易的事。
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丙二、易獲利樂
07. 佛於多劫深思惟,見此覺心最饒益。 無量眾生依於此,順利能獲最勝樂。
7. The Lords of Sages, who have been contemplating for many eons, have seen this alone as a blessing by which joy is easily increased and immeasurable multitudes of beings are rescued.
V7
The mighty Buddhas had contemplated on the two bodhicittas (conventional and ultimate bodhicitta) for aeons . This is a hint to us not to take our cultivation too lightly nor be too easily distracted and discouraged. The Buddhas have seen that only the accomplishment of these two bodhicittas can save all beings from suffering and lead them to the supreme joy of Buddhahood. Merely admiring bodhicitta is just not good enough. We need to cultivate it and make it second nature. There is no other way.
V7
偉大的佛陀已經思惟了兩種菩提心(世俗菩提心和究竟菩提心)億萬劫。這是在提示我們修煉時不要掉以輕心,不要輕易走神、灰心喪氣。諸佛已見,唯有成就此二菩提心,方可救度一切眾生苦,引至無上樂佛果。光是發菩提心是不夠的。我們需要培養牠,讓它成為第二天性。沒有別的辦法。
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丙三、能辦所求
08. 欲滅三有百般苦,及除有情眾不安, 欲享百種快樂者,恆常莫捨菩提心。
8. Those who long to overcome the abundant miseries of mundane existence, whose who wish to dispel the adversities of sentient beings, and those who yearn to experience a myriad of joys should never forsake the spirit of awakening.
V8
Those who wish to overcome the sorrows of their lives, must abide by bodhicitta. The “sorrow of their lives” refers to the condition of ordinary beings like me i.e. there is not one moment of freedom from the 3 sufferings –
• the suffering of suffering (pain, worries, disappointments);
• the suffering of change (being separated from the things one likes; degeneration of what we regard as precious) and in particular,
• pervasive suffering (merely having aggregates brings with it various types of gross and subtle hardships). Samsaric existence is itself pervasive suffering.
Put to flight the pain and suffering of beings is the advice to us to develop the attitude of abandoning the self-cherishing mind which breeds much unhappiness for oneself and all other living beings. “Me, me, me” is the daily mantra of many of us. The habit of thinking about “my happiness, my wants, my likes, my dislikes” has created a stubborn core of self- centredness inside of us. If we really want happiness, the formula is to re- direct our focus, cherish others! Just like that. Bodhicitta and the Mahayana teachings guide us to help others and in so doing, bring contentment and joy that lasts. Joy for only oneself is shallow.
V8
欲度世間苦難者,須持菩提心。 “命苦”指的是像我這樣的凡夫的境況,即沒有一刻能從三苦中解脫——
痛苦中的痛苦(痛苦、憂慮、失望);
變化的痛苦(與喜歡的事物分離;我們認為珍貴的事物退化),尤其是,
遍苦(僅僅有蘊會帶來各種粗細的苦難)。輪迴存在本身就是無處不在的痛苦。
遠離眾生的痛苦和苦難是勸告我們要養成捨棄我愛之心的態度,因為它會給自己和所有其他眾生帶來很多不快樂。 “我,我,我”是我們許多人的日常口頭禪。思考“我的幸福、我的需要、我的喜歡、我不喜歡”的習慣在我們內心形成了一個頑固的以自我為中心的核心。如果我們真的想要幸福,公式就是重新調整我們的注意力,珍惜他人!就這樣。菩提心和大乘教義指導我們去幫助他人,並在這樣做的過程中帶來持久的滿足和喜悅。只為自己的快樂是膚淺的。
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丙四、名至敬歸
09. 生死獄繫苦有情,若生真實菩提心, 即刻得名諸佛子,世間人天應禮敬。
9. When the spirit of awakening has arisen, in an instant a wretch who is bound in the prison of the cycle of existence is called a child of the Sugatas and becomes worthy of reverence in the worlds of gods and humans.
V9
A suffering being who is trapped in the prison of cyclic existence, who is totally dominated by afflictions and easily influenced by negativity – if such a person is able to generate the altruistic attitude of bodhicitta to benefit all sentient beings, on that very day, that person becomes a bodhisattva, the Buddha’s heir.
There are two categories of bodhisattvas – ordinary Bodhisattvas and Arya Bodhisattvas. To become a Bodhisattva, one needs to generate “spontaneous” bodhicitta i.e. the great compassion, the altruistic mind which has great compassion for all living beings and takes on the responsibility to liberate them and lead them to enlightenment; the bodhicitta that is effortless and continuous. Not the occasional and part- time compassion that most of us have.
被困在輪迴牢獄中受苦的眾生,完全被煩惱支配,容易被負面情緒影響——如果這樣的人能夠發利他的菩提心,利益一切眾生,那一天,人成菩薩,佛的繼承人。
菩薩有二種:凡夫菩薩和聖菩薩。要成為菩薩,需要生起“自發”的菩提心,即大悲心、利他心,對一切眾生懷有大悲心,並肩負起解脫眾生、引導眾生成佛的責任;不費力連續的菩提心。不是我們大多數人偶爾和兼職的同情心。
The first- time, ordinary Bodhisattva may not realised emptiness directly yet and may still affected by samsara, yet this Bodhisattva enters the Mahayana 5 Paths, namely the Path of Accumulation (and its 3 sub-stages), the Path of Preparation (and its 4 sub-stages), the Path of Seeing, the Path of Meditation and the Path of No More Learning. Entry into these 5 paths is a milestone in one’s spiritual path.
Having entered the Path of Accumulation, the Bodhisattva engages in the practices of the 6 Perfections and extensive deeds of virtue. This combination of gathering merit whilst pursuing wisdom through meditation, leads the Bodhisattva towards the significant moment in his cultivation, namely, seeing emptiness directly. The first moment that an ordinary Bodhisattva sees emptiness directly, that is when he/she becomes an Arya bodhisattva and crosses the gateway into the Path of Seeing. Once the bodhisattva is at the Path of Seeing, he enters the 1st of the 10 Bhumis/Grounds.
For purposes of this Commentary, the term “delusions” refer to the 6 root delusions of ignorance, anger, attachment, pride, doubt and wrong view. The term “Defilements” refer to the 2 obscurations, namely, the obscuration to liberation/nirvana and the obscuration to full enlightenment.
第一次,普通菩薩可能還沒有直接證悟空性,可能還在輪迴中,但是這位菩薩已經進入了大乘五道,即資糧道(及其三個子次第)、準備道(及其4個子階段)、見道、禪修道和無學道。進入這5條道路是一個人精神道路上的里程碑。
進入資糧道後,菩薩從事六波羅蜜的修行和廣泛的善行。這種積累功德與禪修追慧的結合,引導菩薩走向修行的重要時刻,即直見空性。凡夫菩薩初見空性,即成聖菩薩,入見道。一旦菩薩在見道,他就進入十地中的第一地。
For purposes of this Commentary, the term “delusions” refer to the 6 root delusions of ignorance, anger, attachment, pride, doubt and wrong view. The term “Defilements” refer to the 2 obscurations, namely, the obscuration to liberation/nirvana and the obscuration to full enlightenment.
The “Grounds” are the various levels of antidotes to eliminate the defilements or obscurations to the omniscient mind. Consequently, at this 1st Ground, what is eliminated is the most gross level of defilements.
就本論的目的而言,“迷惑”一詞指的是無明、嗔恨、執著、慢慢、疑惑和邪見的六根本迷惑。 “煩惱”一詞指的是兩種障礙,即解脫/涅槃的障礙和圓滿覺悟的障礙。
“地”是不同層次的對治法,以消除遍知心的煩惱或障礙。因此,在這個第一地,消除的是最粗重的煩惱。
When the application of the antidotes gets more intense, the Bodhisattva will then enter the Path of Meditation, erasing increasingly subtle levels of defilements, which continues for 9 more Grounds. At the 10th Ground, he will be able to eliminate the most subtle defilement. When he/she does so, the Path of No More Learning is accomplished; omniscience is accomplished. At this point, the Bodhisattva accomplishes the result of the 6 Perfection practices, namely, Buddhahood.
Where along the 5 Paths are we ordinary practitioners at the moment? Well, most of us ordinary beings have not even entered the 5 Paths yet because we have not fully generated bodhicitta. We may have the wish to generate bodhicitta, we may have a kind heart but we have not actualised bodhicitta because to begin with, we are not convinced that all sentient beings have been our kind mothers and that we need to work for their welfare to repay that kindness. I struggle to recognise even my present mother’s kindness, let alone the kindness of all living beings. Due to this, we do not cultivate unconditional love for all beings and thus have not repaid the kindness of all beings.
當對治越來越強烈時,菩薩會進入禪修道,去除越來越細微的煩惱,持續九地。在第十地,他將能夠去除最細微的煩惱。當他/她這樣做時,就完成了無學之道;無所不知成就。至此,菩薩成就了六種圓滿修行的果報,即成佛。
目前我們普通修行者在五道中的什麼位置?好吧,我們大多數凡夫甚至還沒有進入五道,因為我們還沒有完全生起菩提心。我們可能有發菩提心的願望,我們可能有一顆善良的心,但我們沒有實現菩提心,因為一開始我們不相信所有眾生都是我們的慈母,我們需要為他們的利益而努力報答那種善意。連我現在的母親的恩德我都認不出來,更何況是眾生的恩德。因此,我們沒有培養對一切眾生無條件的愛,因此沒有回報眾生的恩情。
The bottom line is that we simply have not as yet, created causes to attain bodhicitta. When we check our own minds, we will realise that we are self-absorbed and extremely far from bodhicitta. For instance, we have no equanimity towards people – we tend to treat wealthy or influential people better; we are more tolerant of those who serve our purposes and dislike those who do not. bodhicitta requires us to view all living beings as precious and equal.
When ordinary people worship gods, they often do so for samsaric purposes.
But when we pay homage to Bodhisattvas, we are actually requesting their blessings to be able to perfect our cultivation of the 6 Perfections, the way Bodhisattvas have.
The 6 different analogies to illustrate the preciousness of bodhicitta are considered in the following verses
歸根結底,我們只是還沒有造就證得菩提心的因。當我們審視自己的心時,我們會發現自己是自我專注的,與菩提心相去甚遠。例如,我們對人沒有平等心——我們傾向於更好地對待有錢人或有影響力的人;我們更容忍那些為我們的目的服務的人,而不喜歡那些不為我們服務的人。菩提心要求我們將所有眾生視為珍貴和平等的。
當普通人崇拜神靈時,他們通常是出於輪迴的目的。
但是我們禮敬菩薩,其實是祈求菩薩加持,才能圓滿六波羅蜜,像菩薩那樣。
在以下的頌中,有 6 個不同的比喻來說明菩提心的珍貴。
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乙二、總喻菩提心利益
丙一、轉劣為勝喻
10. 猶如最勝冶金料,垢身得此將轉成 無價之寶佛陀身;故應堅持菩提心。
10. Upon taking this impure form, it transmutes it into the priceless image of the gem of the Jina. So, firmly hold to the quicksilver elixir, called the spirit of awakening, which must be utterly transmuted.
V10
The supreme substance of alchemists refers to gold that alchemists sought to transform from ordinary metals. The transformation of mind from the ordinary to the sublime, is the effect of bodhicitta.
Some doctors are skilled in prescribing a combination of medicines which enable them to heal many sicknesses. Some people are healers of the environment, who know how to recycle unwanted things into useful products. Here, the human flesh is made up of blood, pus and contamination coming from the impure substances of the parents and is easily influenced by the mind that is affected by karma and delusions. Yet this same deluded mind can all be transformed by the bodhicitta mind to the enlightened mind.
When we cultivate bodhicitta, we are cultivating the 5 Dhyani Buddhas, who are the purified and perfected form of the 5 contaminated aggregates (form, feeling, consciousness, discrimination/cognition and karmic imprints). By knowing our extraordinary potential that can be shaped by bodhicitta, we should never let go of the bodhicitta mind.
V10
煉金術士的至尊物質指的是煉金術士試圖從普通金屬中轉化出來的黃金。心從平凡到崇高的轉變,是菩提心的果報。
一些醫生擅長開出多種藥物的組合,使他們能夠治愈許多疾病。有些人是環境治療師,他們知道如何將不需要的東西回收成有用的產品。在這裡,人肉是由血、膿和來自父母不淨物質的污染組成的,很容易受到業力和妄想影響的心的影響。然而,同樣的迷惑心可以通過菩提心轉化為覺悟心。
當我們培養菩提心時,我們就是在培養五方佛,五方佛是五蘊(色、受、識、分別/認知和業印)的清淨圓滿相。通過了解我們可以由菩提心塑造的非凡潛能,我們永遠不應該放棄菩提心。
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丙二、珍貴難得喻
11. 眾生導師以慧觀,徹見彼心極珍貴; 諸欲出離三界者,宜善堅持菩提心。
11. The world’s sole leaders, whose minds are fathomless, have well examined its great value. You, who are inclined to escape from the states of mundane existence, hold fast to the jewel of the spirit of awakening.
V11
When leaders, Kings (including the King of the 33 God Realms) and famous people are given precious gems, they regard such gifts as being of great value. Yet, these possessions will not last nor will they necessarily benefit others. However, we as practitioners who have met the Mahayana teachings, if we are able to renounce our worldly life and engage in bodhicitta for the benefit of sentient beings, that would be infinitely more precious than receiving an ordinary jewel because the fruit of enlightenment would be ours.
V11
領袖、君王(包括三十三神界的君王)和名人,在被賜予寶玉之時,都視之為價值不菲的禮物。然而,這些財產不會持久,也不一定會利益他人。但是,我們這些已經接觸過大乘教法的修行者,如果能夠出家發菩提心利益眾生,那將比得到一顆普通的寶珠珍貴無比,因為菩提果是我們的。
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丙三、得果無盡喻
12. 其餘善行如芭蕉,果實生已終枯槁; 菩提心樹恆生果,非僅不盡反增茂。
12. Just as a plantain tree decays upon losing its fruit, so does every other virtue wane. But the tree of the spirit of awakening perpetually bears fruit, does not decay, and only flourishes.
V12
When a banana tree bears fruit, the energy to produce more fruit in the future, is finished. Likewise, virtues are like the banana tree. The virtue of bodhicitta however, never stops producing good results and is like a wish-granting tree. Loving kindness, compassion, making offerings to holy objects, chanting mantras are all virtuous but these still require the bodhicitta motivation to give rise to the ultimate result of enlightenment.
V12
當香蕉樹結出果實時,未來結出更多果實的能量就用完了。同樣,美德就像香蕉樹。然而,菩提心的功德永遠不會停止產生善果,就像一棵如意樹。慈心、悲心、供養聖物、念咒都是善行,但仍需發菩提心才能生起究竟的菩提果報。
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丙四、能損定罪除懼喻
13. 如人雖犯極重罪,然依勇士得除畏; 若有速令解脫者,畏罪之人何不依?
13. Owing to its protection, as due to the protection of a powerful man, even after committing horrendous vices, one immediately overcomes great fears. Why do ignorant beings not seek refuge in it?
V13
The heroic bodyguard here refers to one who is able to protect one against all suffering and fear. Those who go through the Hinayana path (of the Hearer and Solitary Realiser vehicles) may individually attain freedom from fears and delusions. However, if they remain in that state, it would be self- serving and of only limited benefit to beings. Those who choose the Hearer and Solitary Path have the potential to overcome samsara but when they actualise the peace of nirvana, they remain contentedly in meditation for aeons. However, think for a moment – sentient beings are struggling; they are counting on you to help liberate them from suffering, so how can you just remain in peace by yourself, as only you alone benefit? One needs a wider vision than that. The only thing that can liberate the practitioner from the peace of nirvana, is bodhicitta, for bodhicitta look to liberating not only self but all living beings.
For those who have met the Mahayana teachings and fail to practice bodhicitta are worse than street dogs because animals have the excuse of not being able to understand the benefits of bodhicitta.
V13
這裡的英勇保鏢是指能夠保護一個人免受所有痛苦和恐懼的人。那些走小乘道(聲聞乘和孤獨實相乘)的人可能會個別地從恐懼和妄想中解脫。然而,如果他們保持那種狀態,那將是自私自利,對眾生的利益有限。那些選擇聲聞和孤獨道的人有可能克服輪迴,但當他們實現涅槃的和平時,他們會在永恆的禪修中心滿意足。然而,想一想——眾生在掙扎;他們指望你幫助他們從痛苦中解脫出來,所以你怎麼能一個人保持平靜,因為只有你一個人受益?人們需要比這更廣闊的視野。唯一能讓修行者從涅槃的平靜中解脫出來的是菩提心,因為菩提心不僅要解脫自我,還要解脫一切眾生。
對於那些已經遇到大乘教法而沒有修行菩提心的人來說,比流浪狗還不如,因為動物有藉口無法理解菩提心的好處。
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丙五、能滅不定罪業喻
14. 菩提心如劫末火,剎那能毀諸重罪。
乙三、引經證成
智者彌勒諭善財:覺心利益無限量。
14. Like the conflagration at the time of the destruction of the universe, it consumes great ices in an instant. The wise lord Maitreya taught its incalculable benefits to Sudhana.
V14
It is said that as the world comes towards the final dissolution of the elements, the aeon heat will be much more intense than the heat of the suns of the 10 directions’universes. Samsaric suffering is equal to this fiery suffering, yet it can be totally purified by actualising bodhicitta. There is no need to run about, searching high and low for external help. Practice bodhicitta. The two bodhicittas (conventional and ultimate) are the most forceful antidotes to eradicate sickness, problems, aging, death, birth, samsaric suffering, as well as the self-centred peace of nirvana. If we tried to explain the benefits of bodhicitta, there would not be enough time to explain it all. Rather than ruling the country by force, rule through bodhicitta.
V14
據說隨著世界走向元素的最終消融,永恆的熱量將比十方宇宙的太陽的熱量更強烈。輪迴之苦等同於這種火熱的痛苦,但它可以通過發菩提心而完全淨化。無需四處奔波,四處尋找外部幫助。修菩提心。兩種菩提心(世俗菩提心和究竟菩提心)是根除疾病、問題、老、死、生、輪迴苦以及涅槃自我中心平靜的最有力對治劑。如果我們試圖解釋菩提心的利益,就沒有足夠的時間來解釋這一切。與其以武力治國,不如以菩提心治國。
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Commentary by Geshe Tenzin Zopa https://www.sangye.it/altro/?p=10705 (https://www.sangye.it/altro/?p=10705)