解惑篇 英譯解惑

    客問:開車時在路上,經常會看見被車子輾斃的死貓死狗,以一個學佛者來說,應該怎麼辦才好?

  • 文:編輯部出處:解惑篇期數:335期2018年8月

解惑篇—生活漫談  文/白雲老禪師.譯者/陳曌
 
1、
客問:開車時在路上,經常會看見被車子輾斃的死貓死狗,以一個學佛者來說,應該怎麼辦才好?
Q: As Buddhists, what should we do when we see a dead cat or dog on the road when driving?
師答:以目前的交通狀況及現實環境來說,比較不容易下車去處理,找地方把死貓、死狗埋起來,可是有件事我們可以做的,那就是默念往生咒,如果連往生咒都不會念,那不妨起一份慈悲心,心想:「因為你的無明,才會走在馬路上被來往的車子輾死,既然你這一生是畜生,現在也已經解脫了,希望來生你能夠得人身,學佛親近三寶。」可是這一番話,必須要有相當修養的人才有效,否則還不如念念往生咒,如果只念阿彌陀佛的聖號也沒有太大的用處,因為它們本身從來也不念阿彌陀佛,也沒有修淨土法門,這時念阿彌陀佛要超度它們是不可能的,還不如念念往生咒,因為往生咒的內涵,就是道理方法的開示。 
A: Given the traffic condition these days, it is quite impossible to get out of the car and find a place to bury the dead animal. However, one thing we can do is to silently chant the Mantra of Reincarnation. Failing that, one can exercise one’s power of compassion with these thoughts: “You are killed by your ignorance because you didn’t know any better. You were born an animal this life time but you are liberated now. I hope you can return a human next time and get to know the Three Gems (namely the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha) for the sake of your own salvation.”  However, for such wishes to be effective, one must have attained a considerable high level of cultivation. Otherwise, chanting the mantra may be a better option. Chanting Amitaba’s name is of limited use as this requires the personal effort of the being, something animals are unable to do. The Mantra of Reincarnation is a good choice as it carries the Buddha’s teaching.    
 
2、
客問:當我的臉色沒有光彩的時候,別人會說我如何如何…...,我還常有頭痛和眼睛模糊的毛病,到寺院去占卜、問卦、收驚,都不是我所能理解的事,該怎樣處理,才能夠使自己神釆奕奕、容光煥發? 
Q: When my face loses its glow, people will start to comment on it. I also suffer from frequent headaches and blur vision. I have tried having my life read by the fortune tellers at temples and sought help from them. But they are all quite beyond my comprehension. What shall I do to get the glow back on my face?
師答:還是要自己去認識自己,你好像由別人來擺佈,這些問題都是人家講什麼你就起煩惱,就聽進去,或是人家在挑剔一些什麼,你就很在意,這根本是一天到晚為別人而活,我講為別人,不是一種奉獻,所以自己的生活、自己的日子,應該是自己去過。
A: Well, you need to learn more about yourself instead of allowing yourself to be manipulated by others. You take toke to heart what you hear and feel troubled by it. I can say you are practically living for other people. When I say living for others does not mean giving of yourself. Your life belongs to you and you should live for yourself, your way.