静思晨语 - 2011年5月27日 - 57 - 利益人群当清净

Benefit Humanity Through Acts of Purity

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时间无常，人命也是一样无常，时间可以成就一切，但是人命也可以成就道业。

Time never stands still. Human life is also impermanent. Anything can be accomplished with time. We can also accomplish our spiritual cultivati​​on.

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八正道:
正见、正思惟、正语
正业、正命、正精进
正念、正定

我们若是能好好把握时间，分秒都在「正精进」当中，无论是「正见、正思惟、正语、正业、正命、正精进、正念、正定」，我们都在一个正字中来使用时间，我们的生命就可以成就道业。

If we can make good use of time, we can practice Right Diligence at every moment. Whether with Right view, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Diligence, Right Mindfulness or Right Concentration, we make ”right use of time and we can become accomplished in spiritual practice.

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从事正当清净
不违因果
利益人群的职业
称之「正命」

Be upright and pure in your work and do not disregard the law of cause and effect. Engage in an occupation that benefits humanity. This is called Right Livelihood.

今天说的「正命」，命就是在呼吸间，是不是光有呼吸就算有生命？人活着和呼吸，分秒都不能有差错，一个呼吸「出」和「入」是在几秒中，我们如果能协调、顺畅，我们的生命就算是健康。

Today's topic is Right Livelihood. Life exists between breaths. Is life just about being able to breathe? Of course, to stay alive, we must breathe properly. Inhalation and exhalation occur in seconds. If nothing goes wrong and this process is smooth, it means we are healthy.

不过健康的生命，到底要如何去利用它？就是因为有健康的生命，若是没有健康的思想，生命和时间愈长，我们的业就愈重。假使如果生命和时间能够长，我们如果能有正确的利用，当然这就能成就道业。

However, how are we going to make use of this healthy life? If we have a healthy life with an unhealthy mentality, the longer we live, the more karma we accumulate. If our life lasts a long time and we use it correctly, then we can be successful in our spiritual cultivati​​on.

但是我们人往往就是会，疏忽掉生命的使用方向。看到我们社会在做的事业、从事的职业，看起来，很多人为了生活不顾一切，很多都是损害生灵，这生命应该如何活？若能在这个大地上和平共存，看大地上有很多的生命，看起来就很精彩。

However, as humans, we often neglect to think about how we use our lives. Look at the different businesses in our socially. From the different occupations we can see that many people in order to make a living, engage in work that harms other living creatures. How should we live in this world? We should harmoniously coexist with all beings. Look at how wonderful and delightful it is to see many different species living on the land.

我们有时候看有很多的影片，在介绍地理、看动物。你们去看，有很多山、水、树木，很美的境界。你看到鹿在那边走、看到牛在那里吃草，看到小动物在土地上、草地上，哪怕只是一只虫在树叶上面爬。

Sometimes, we may see nature footage showing various parts of the world and their animals. The mountains, rivers and trees of those places are beautiful. See the dear trotting around, the cows grazing in the pastures, and tiny animals on the land and in the grass. Even a bug crawling on a leaf can add so much beauty to our world.

你们看，这个世间增添了多少美的境界。看我们坐在这里，我在说话，鸟儿在叫。看，增添多少生气啊！多么美的内容呢？所以人，若能和一切生命物和平共处，那就是净土了。

As we sit here, I am speaking and the birds are chirping. Their sounds create much vitality and truly enrich the world. So if mankind can peacefully coexist with all living creatures, the world will be a Pure Land, with the waters of Eight Merits & Virtues, Trees of the Seven Gems and sounds from all kinds of birds. This is how Pure Lands are described.

就像八功德水，还有七宝行树，还有各种鸟在叫，这就叫做净土。人间也能这样，很多生灵共处一起多好啊！

Our world can be like this, a wonderful place where everything coexists.

所以佛经里面，有这么一段的故事，那就是：波耶王在他的国家，以他的德来领导这个国家，使他的国境人民，都生活得非常的安详，全国都是持斋素食，没有杀生的。

There is a story in the Sutras about King Payas, who reigned over his kingdom with virtue. His people enjoyed very peaceful lives. They were all vegetarians, no one killed any animals.

所以全国真的是生命共同体，所以他的国家能够不治而安。他不用治理，全国就可以非常平安，人与人之间互爱、人与动物之间疼爱，十分和气，所以无论是「士、农、工、商」都非常祥和的社会。

So, in this kingdom, all living creatures coexisted in harmony. Thus he reigned peacefully and effortlessly. Without needing management, the country was peaceful and safe. Humans loved one another and cherished the animals. It was very harmonious. People from all walks of life worked well together.

其他有一个国家，另外一个国家，觉得波耶王所领导的国家，怎么能那么的丰饶？风调雨顺、物丰民安？这个国家怎么会那么美呢？国王就和他的大臣说：「我很羡慕这种国家，我若能取得这个国家不知道有多好！」

There was a king from another kingdom who saw how king Payas was able to lead his country to enjoy such abundance. With good weather, abundance and peace, the country was so beautiful. So this other king told his ministers, "I really envy this kingdom. It would be great if it could be mine."

有的大臣就附和那位国王，有的大臣则进谏说不可以，应该要和平共处。国王听了之后，还是觉得那个国家实在是很让人向往，所以他决定要去取得那个国家。

Some of the ministers supported the king. Others cautioned him against it and suggested that they coexist peacefully. After hearing their opinions, the king still yearned to own that country so he decided to conquer it.

当这个消息透露出去之后，那些向应国王的大臣就开始准备。而波耶王所拥有的波罗奈国的人民，一开始听到就怕了，就报告国王。国王听到这个消息，他觉得：「为什么要这样争夺呢？扰乱人心，让国民人人惶恐！只要有战争，老百姓必定有伤害，何况劳军动众，是一定会有损伤的。」

With that the ministers who agreed with him began to prepare for an invasion. In the kingdom of Varanasi ruled by king Payas, the citizens were terrified when they heard this. When the king heard the news, he felt, "Why fight like this? It disturbs the people and puts them in a state of fear. When there is war, the citizens will most certainly suffer. When troops are mobilized to fight, there will inevitably be loss of life."

所以他自己就这样想：「何必呢？何必与人争？何必与国争？无论是这个国家、那个国家，同样是生命共存的地方，何必起争端？一个人一张嘴一个口，无法同时吃几样东西。一个身体也无法同时穿很多衣服，还有什么好争的呢？」所以他决定离开这个国家，他觉得自己如果离开，大家自然不会为了国王，想要守住这个国家而和对方敌对。

So he thought to himself, "Why do this? Why fight with other people? Why fight with other countries? No matter which kingdom we are part of, we all coexist on the same piece of land. Why be embroiled in conflict? Each person has one mouth and can only take one bite of food at a time. Each person has one body and can only wear one set of clothes at a time. So what is there to fight over?" So he decided to leave his country. He felt that if he left, the people would not have to fight to defend the kingdom on his behalf.

最后他留下了一封信，向他的大臣说：「一定要保持全国人民的平安，不可动兵、不可动兵器。要以人民的平安为重。」接着他就跑到深山里面去，想要好好过一生平静的日子，与天地共处。

So he left a letter instructing his ministers to ensure the citizens' safety. They were not to mobilize the army or any weapons. The citizens' safety was their priority. With that he went deep into the mountains to lead a peaceful and quiet life, and be one with nature.

但是过了一段平静的日子之后，有一天有一位老人，非常年老了，从山里面经过。他全身好像很疲倦，很累的样子，好像很饿，也好像很贫穷。波耶王看到了之后就主动前去关心：「老人家你是从哪里来的？你看起来很累，来，在这里休息一下。」老人家就说：「是啊！我是很累。请问，从这里要到波罗奈城有多远？你知道吗？」王说：「知道啊！从这里再过去，起码要十几天的路程。」这位老人就说：「现在国王怎么样？平安吗？健康吗？」这位国王说：「他人现在很好，很平安、很健康。」老人家说：「这样我安心了。」

After a peaceful period of time, one day, a very old man passed through this part of the mountain. The king saw that the man looked very tired and hungry, and appeared to be poor. So king payas asked him, "Where are you from? You look very tired. Come, rest here for a while." The old man replied, "Yes, I”m tired, Do you know how far it is from here to the City of Variance?" "Yes, the journey will take over ten days." The old man asked, "How is the king doing? Is he safe and healthy?" The king replied, "He is safe and well, and also in good health." The old man said, " I feel at ease now."

国王就问说：「你怎么会那么关心国王呢？」老人说：「是啊！国王是好人，他不忍心人民受苦难，有求必应，我这回就是要去求国王。」国王就说：「你要去求国王什么事情呢？」老人说：「我已经很累了，我的一生都很贫穷。我还有孩子，我的孩子也要跟着我，过着这么贫穷的生活。我很期待贫穷到我这代就可以结束，让我的子孙能够富有。这是我的心愿，所以我要去求国王，让我能够脱离贫困。」

The king asked, "Why are you so concerned about the king?" The old man said, "The king is a good man, He could never bear to see people suffer and always helped fulfill their needs. I have a request for him. " The king asked, "What will you ask for?" He said, "I am very tired. My whole life, I have been poor. I have a child who lives in hardship with me. I pray that poverty will and with my generation, so my descendants can live in prosperity. This is my heart's wish. So I want to ask the king to lift us out of poverty."

国王听了之后想：「这位老人有这样的愿望，想要让他的子孙脱离贫困，所以这个时候应该是要再利用生命的时候了。」当他在做国王的时候，他有财物可以帮助人民，现在已经弃国了，把国家舍弃了，现在只剩下这个身体，这一生就只是在这里生活下去，无法利益人群，觉得这就是机会。

When the king heard that this old man hoped for his descendants to transcend poverty, he felt that it was time for him to put his life to good use again. When he was king, he had the wealth to help his people. Once he gave up his throne, all he had left was his body. If he were to continue living such a life, he could not benefit people in any way. He felt this was his opportunity.

所以他就跟老人说：「来！我跟你说，我就是啊！我就是那位国王。」他就把外国要来侵占他的国家，他为了国家、人民、大家的平安，所以他离开的这个因缘说给他听。

He said to the old man, "Come, let me tell you, I am the king you are looking for." He told the old man about how the other king planned to invade his kingdom and how he left for his people's sake.

然后他就和老人说：「但是现在我的这个身体还有价值，你把我的头拿去，送到国王面前，他绝对会有赏的。因为现在那位国王一直在找我，我还在时他不能安心。你把我的头拿去，他就会安心，他会送你很多东西。」

After he explained this, he told the old man, "But now, this body of mine still has some value. Take my head to the new king. He will surely reward you handsomely, because he has been searching for me. His mind cannot be at ease knowing that I am alive. If you bring him my head he will finally rest easy and give you a great reward."

这位老人说：「不行，绝对不行，我也一定要保护国王你，你有这样的德，对待人民这么隆高浓厚的德，我不能违背天命来杀害国王。」国王就说：「这是我的心愿，你若不敢下手，我自己来。但是你要记得拿去领赏。」说完之后，拿起刀，就把自己的头割断了。

The old man said, "No, absolutely not! I must protect you my king. You treat your people with such virtue. I can't go against heaven's will and kill a king." The king insisted, "This is my wish. If you dare not do this, I will do it myself. But remember what I told you." After he said this, the king took out his sword and beheaded himself.

老人十分悲痛，但是国王这分心意，这位老人也真的将国王的头包起来，非常恭敬走到城里，向城里的人说：「我要送给现在的国王，以前国王的一样礼物。」

The old man mourned, but since it was the king's last wish, he wrapped the head and brought it reverently into the city. He told the people of the city, "I have a gift for the king from the old king."

到底过去的国王在哪里呢？大家听到这个消息，赶紧把这位老人送到现在这位国王面前。现在这位国王就问说：「到底是什么东西呢？」老人就说：「是国王的首级。就是头！」打开来看，叫过去的大臣来认是不是？过去的大臣一认出来，呼天叩地，满朝文武官员看到国王的头，大家哭得死去活来。

The people had been wondering where the old king was, so when they heard this, they quickly brought the old man to the new king. "What is the gift?" "It is king Payas's head." The new king called. King Payas's ministers to identify the head. The ministers wailed in grief when they recognized him. Both civilians and military officials wept profusely and were ravaged by grief.

这位新的国王觉得：「这位国王如此得人心，我错了。」这个消息传到城外去之后，又听到城外所有的人民也已经全部聚集到皇宫来了，这种举国悲恸，可以证明这位国王深入民心，所以这位新国王他觉得后悔了，做了一件逆天命的事情。

When the new king saw how beloved king Payas was he thought, "I made a mistake!" Once the news spread outside of the city, all the citizens gathered at the palace. This nationwide display of sorrow proved how the people deeply loved king Payas . The new king was filled with regret and realized he had acted against the will of heaven.

所以他就赶紧捧起这个首级，赶快叫老人带路到过世的这位国王的地方，赶快叫人，把他的身体和头接起来，用金、银、蜡，让他的身体恢复完整。

So he quickly asked the old man to take them to where the king lived and quickly instructed people to sew the king's head back ont​​o his body. Then they embalmed the body using gold, silver, and wax and put it in order.

整理好身体，把身体请回皇宫，又让他好像坐在帝位一般，三十二年之久。等到这位国王的太子已经成熟了、长大了，那个时候能够掌领国政，就让那位太子登基。

They brought the body back to the palace and placed it on the throne. It remained there for 32 years until king Payas's son came of age and took over the throne to rule the country.

这段经文佛陀这么说：「你们可知道，在过去生中，我利用生命，在人间来来回回修行，利用生命利益人群，以生命来教导众生，这就是过去修行过程中的一世。」

In the Sutra, the Buddha said, "Do you know that in my previous lives, I used my life in this world to practice, to benefit people, to teach and guide sentient beings? This was one of my lives in that process."

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正命者能成道业
发挥生命的价值
反之则造恶业

People with Right Livelihood can accomplish their spiritual cultivati​​on, and fully realize the value of their lives. Otherwise, they will create bad karma.

所以人生，一段一段人生生命的过程，我们到底要如何活？要如何活得真正有意义？活得真正有生命的价值？我们从佛的经典中，我们可以处处看到生命的价值观。

So how do we want to live each of our lives throughout our lifetimes of practice? How can we live meaningfully? How can we bring value to our lives? In the Buddhist sutras, we see many teachings about the true value of life.

所以生命、生活的价值若是看得透，其实没有什么，只是在呼吸间而已。

If we can see through the value of life, we see there is nothing to it, it simply exists between breaths.

各位，利用生命，在时间中能够成就道业，我们的生命若不是正命，思惟、思想、造业若是偏差了，再长的时间同样也是在造业。

Everyone, if we make use of our lives, we can advance in our practice over time. But if we do not have Right Livelihood and stray in our thoughts & actions, then no matter how long we live, we are just creating karma.

所以大家要利用生命存在的时间，要赶紧把握时间，要善用我们的生命。所以请大家要多用心。

So everyone, while we are still alive, we must seize the moment and make good use of our lives. So please always be mindful.

出处：http://moya.iyard.org/bin/view/Blog/BlogEntry2305