3月26日

心是什麼？
佛光星雲 ( 1927~ )

心如猿猴難控制，你能把心管好嗎？
心如電光剎那間，你能掌握心意嗎？
心如野鹿逐聲色，你能照見虛妄嗎？
心如盜賊劫功德，你能降伏心魔嗎？
心如冤家身受苦，你能遠離對待嗎？
心如僮僕諸惱使，你能謙和自在嗎？
心如國王能行令，你能導人以善嗎？
心如泉水流不盡，你能布施有情嗎？
心如畫師描彩繪，你能美化世間嗎？
心如虛空大無邊，你能包容萬有嗎？

──選自《人間佛教語錄》

March 26th

What Is the Mind?
Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927 - , Fo Guang Shan)
English translation: Zhi Yue

The mind is like a monkey, for it is hard to tame;
are you able to control your mind?

The mind is like a flash of lightning, in that it is as fast as a split second;
are you able to grasp your mind’s intentions?

The mind is like a wild deer, in that it chases the sense objects;
are you able to see through the illusions?

The mind is like a thief, such that it steals your merits;
are you able to subdue the Mara in your mind?

The mind is like an adversary, for it causes suffering to the body;
are you able to stop the maltreatment?

The mind is like a servant, for it is ordered about by afflictions;
are you able to be remain amiable and carefree?

The mind is like a king, in that it has supreme power over the body;
are you able to inspire virtue in people?

The mind is like an ever-flowing spring, in that it is inexhaustible;
are you able to give to all sentient beings?

The mind is like an artist, as it paints everything;
are you able to make the world a more beautiful place?

The mind is like space, in that it is boundless;
are you able to embrace the entire world?

── from Renjian Fojiao Yulu (Record of Teachings on Humanistic Buddhism)