如果說到誰的福報最大
不是Donald Trump
不是帝釋天
不是大梵天王
而是....阿羅漢們
阿羅漢是戒定慧圓滿
我們有修習過禪定嗎?
心是很清爽、愉悅、滿足的。這是真正的快樂啊!!
但有時禪定會退失,為什麼?智慧並不圓滿
智慧是負責不粘著、不執著
一旦我們開始執著一些東西,煩惱就會生起,然後毀掉我們的平靜和喜悅
但如果一個人的戒定慧圓滿
那他們的心就永久地維持著清涼快樂的狀態
這還不是最大的福報?
我們吃那麼多好東西,去遊玩,一切都只是為了尋找內心的滿足感
但阿羅漢們的心靈快樂是永久的了。
佛陀形容,那是最高的快樂
這種快樂不論富有、貧窮、有名譽、有不好的名譽、有權力、沒權力都一樣恆久地存在
就算一無所有,都依然快樂
這是每位智者們追求的目標
When it comes to who has the greatest blessings,
it is not Donald Trump,
not Śakra (the lord of the heavens),
nor Mahābrahmā (the Great Brahma King).
It is… the Arahants.
Arahants have perfected precepts, stillness, and wisdom.
Have we ever practiced stillness?
The mind becomes clear, joyful, and content. This is true happiness!
But sometimes, stillness fades. Why? Because wisdom is not yet perfected.
Wisdom is responsible for non-attachment and non-clinging.
Once we begin to cling to something, defilements arise and then destroy our peace and joy.
But if a person has perfected precepts, stillness, and wisdom,
their mind permanently remains in a state of coolness and happiness.
Isn’t this the greatest blessing?
We eat so many delicacies, go on trips—all just to seek a sense of inner satisfaction.
But the spiritual joy of the Arahants is permanent.
The Buddha described it as the highest happiness.
This happiness remains constant regardless of wealth or poverty, fame or infamy, power or powerlessness.
Even with nothing at all, they remain joyful.
This is the goal pursued by every wise person.
很多人在很用心地修行。心就變了,自己能夠感覺得到。因此佛陀的法是非常神奇、非常殊勝的,它能改變一個很漆黑的人,把他變得亮堂起來。心就可以慢慢地從苦裡抽身出來,而且本人也能意識得到變了。
但是如果只是單純地聽是不會變得。有時聽很多,反而覺得自己全知道了,我慢增長了。 佛陀的法,如果我們真的知道的話,就一定要能滅得了苦。如果知道後煩惱跟以前一樣,那就不行
Many people practice very diligently.
Their hearts/minds truly change, and they can feel it themselves.
Therefore, the Buddha’s Dharma is extremely miraculous and extraordinarily sublime.
It can transform a person who was very dark inside, and gradually make him bright and radiant.
The mind can slowly free itself from suffering, and the person himself can clearly notice the transformation.
However, if one only listens superficially, there will be no change.
Sometimes after listening a lot, people even feel that they already “know everything”, and their arrogance (māna/pride) actually increases.
If we truly understand the Buddha’s Dharma,
it must be able to extinguish suffering.
If after “knowing” it, the defilements remain the same as before,
then that doesn’t count as real understanding.
---Luang Por Pramote
2026.1.17
就好像我們乘地下鐵,雖然看來人很多
但其實是假的
兩邊車門堆滿了人
中間位置卻完全是空的
同樣地,我們好像很大壓力、很多東西做
但其實是假的,中間是很空曠的空間
什麼是很空曠的空間?
曾有一位天子對佛陀說,佛陀確實發現了擁擠中的空間(SN2.7)
空間其實指的就是禪定
禪定是我們生活上喘息的空間,因為每個人都能從中找到滿足感和快樂....
It's like when we take the subway; although it seems very crowded,
it’s actually an illusion.
People are packed near the doors,
but the middle area is completely empty.
Similarly, it seems as if we’re under great pressure and have so much to do,
but that too is an illusion—there is actually a vast, open space in the middle.
What is this vast, open space?
Once, a celestial being told the Buddha that the Buddha had truly discovered "space within the crowdedness" (SN 2.7).
This "space" actually refers to meditative stillness.
Meditative stillness is the breathing space in our lives, because everyone can find contentment and happiness within it...
《計劃》
國家有幾年期的大規劃
我們也有自己的人生規劃
甚至細微至一天的日程
但事實上,事情是否總是順著我們的意思走?
通常不是
有些人計劃:嗯~22歲大學畢業找份好工
25歲找個女朋友
30歲結婚
32歲生孩子
在工作上搏殺,然後在55歲退休,環遊世界
很理想,對嗎?
但可能22歲畢業後找不到工作呢?
可能到30歲仍找不到女朋友呢?
可能錢不夠,在60歲還要不斷賺錢呢?
未來是絕對說不定的
就算是佛陀,根據<<經集>>義註,他每天清晨大概5-6am都會進入大悲定審視世間, 檢查那天可以渡化哪些人;也會在2-4pm 檢查一次
正正是因為未來存在太多變數,所以連具備全知之智的佛陀也要那麼頻繁地檢查
因此不要疏忽大意,
一歲的嬰兒可以死
十歲的兒童可以死
二十歲的年輕人可以死
三十歲的青春之人也可以死
事實上,我們隨時都可以死,隨時都可能要離開這個世界。
所以不要執著所謂計劃,因為計劃隨時可以被打破!
如果執著,一旦事情不如我們意發生,我們將會很痛苦的
更重要的是當下我們是否有良好的行為,語言和思想?我們是否在行善?
假如現在懷著善心死了,那肯定可以去到一個好的地方
就算一直沒有死,未來也肯定會越來越好😇
"Plan"
Countries have multi-year grand plans,
and we also have our own life plans,
even down to the details of a daily schedule.
But in reality, do things always go according to our wishes? Usually not.
Some people plan: Hmm, graduate from university at 22 and find a good job,
find a girlfriend by 25,
get married at 30,
have children at 32,
work hard, and then retire at 55 to travel the world.
Sounds ideal, right? But what if we can’t find a job after graduating at 22?
What if we still can’t find a girlfriend by 30?
What if we don’t have enough money and still need to earn at 60?
The future is absolutely uncertain.
Even the Buddha, according to the "Sutra Collection," would enter deep compassion meditation around 5-6 AM each day to examine the world and see whom he could help that day; he would check again between 2-4 PM.
It is precisely because the future has too many variables that even the all-knowing Buddha checks so frequently.
Therefore, do not be careless.
A one-year-old baby can die,
a ten-year-old child can die,
a twenty-year-old young person can die,
and a thirty-year-old person can also die.
In fact, we can die at any moment; we may leave this world at any time.
So do not cling to so-called plans, because plans can be shattered at any moment!
If we cling to them, when things do not go as we wish, we will suffer greatly.
More importantly, are we engaging in good actions, speech, and thoughts in the present moment? Are we doing good?
If we were to die now with a kind heart, we would definitely go to a good place.
Even if we don’t die right away, the future will surely get better and better 😇
有些人覺得,唉,佛教那麼嚴謹,有那麼多規條戒律,好像沒有什麼樂趣
其實不是
佛教只是讓我們取得極樂,脫離痛苦的教導而已。
他是智者的宗教
舉例說,假如我們不節制自己的感官,當
眼睛看見悅意或不悅意的影像
耳朵聽見悅意或不悅意的聲音
鼻子嗅到悅意或不悅意的氣味
舌頭嚐到悅意或不悅意的味道
身體接觸到悅意或不悅意的觸感
心感知到悅意或不悅意的目標的時候
而我們心中生起貪心和嗔心
喜歡或不喜歡
我們沒有及時以正念識破它
我們的心就會墮落沉重
當我們的心墮落沉重的時候,
便不欣悅了,不喜悅了
當不喜悅的時候,身心便不輕鬆安寧
這時心是苦的
如果心是苦的話,便不能定下來了
心不能定下來,便沒有清涼快樂了,也沒有智慧去處理事情,也不能看清真相以達到放下自在, 讓心舒服快樂的效果了
相反地,假如我們節制自己的感官。 當接觸到外境的時候,
我們心中生起貪心和嗔心
喜歡或不喜歡
我們及時以正念識破它
以正念守護我們的心
我們的心就不會墮落沉重
當我們的心不墮落沉重的時候,
便會欣悅和喜悅了
當喜悅的時候,身心便輕鬆安寧
這時心是快樂的
如果心是快樂的話,便能定下來了
當心能定下來,便很自然有清涼快樂,也有智慧去處理事情,也能看清真相以達到放下自在, 讓心舒服快樂的效果 (ref SN35.97)
所以有智慧的人,就會約束自己,為自己帶來極樂
佛陀在法句經290中說 : 若捨棄小樂會獲得大樂,預見大樂的智者應當捨棄小樂
Usually, the older a person gets, the more foolish they become.
This is because, in the workplace, they accumulate more and more prestige, status, and power.
They also accumulate more wealth and gradually gain partners and many descendants.
Then they start to believe that everything belongs to them, thinking they are impressive, and their ego grows larger.
What happens as a result? They become angry at the slightest disagreement.
When things don’t go their way, they explode with rage.
Others also lose respect for them.
When they lose something, they feel very sad and inferior.
They become slaves to their possessions, letting their emotions be driven by them,
they are not happy at all!
So, what do you think? Is this foolish or wise?
通常人越大就會越蠢
因為在工場上累積了越來越多的名望,地位,權利了
也累積了越來越多的財富了
也漸漸有伴侶,有許多兒孫了
然後就會認為他們都是自己的
覺得自己很厲害,自我越來越大
結果怎麼樣?別人一點逆他意就生氣
事情一不合他意就暴怒
別人也失去對他的尊重了
當他失去了某樣東西時也會很傷心自卑
做了擁有物的奴隸,被它們帶著情緒走
一點兒都不快樂
大家說這是蠢還是聰明?
享受怡人的影像、 好聽的聲音、 好嗅的氣味、 好嚐的味道、 好摸的觸感
例如看電影、 和型男美女交往、 聽音樂、 玩遊戲機....
這些感官享樂是低級趣味(SN42.12)
因為它們會讓心渾濁不舒服、 混亂不安、 變得灰暗
行善之樂、 禪定之樂、 涅槃之樂
這些是高級趣味
因為不會有任何過患,只會讓心充滿光明和幸福感
Enjoying pleasant sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches
—such as watching movies, socializing with attractive men and women, listening to music, playing video games...
These sensory pleasures are low-grade enjoyments (SN 42.12)
because they make the mind turbid, uncomfortable, restless, and darkened.
The joy of doing good deeds, the joy of stillness, and the joy of Nibbāna
These are high-grade enjoyments
because they bring no harm—only radiance and profound bliss to the mind.
我們應當思考這一點:
我們不斷嚷著要去看男朋友女朋友,心裡不斷混亂混亂、 飢渴飢渴、 痛苦痛苦;當看見那一刻,快樂一會兒,心裡滋潤幸福一下,然後就沒了
我們想要聽歌,心裡不斷混亂混亂、 飢渴飢渴、 痛苦痛苦;當聽完後,心裡滋潤滿足一會兒,然後就沒了
我們想要嗅一種香水或花香,心裡不斷混亂混亂、 飢渴飢渴、 痛苦痛苦;當嗅完後,心裡滋潤滿足一下,然後就沒了
我們想要吃自助餐,心裡不斷混亂混亂、 飢渴飢渴、 痛苦痛苦;當吃完後,心裡滋潤滿足一會兒,然後就沒了
我們被性慾燃燒,心裡不斷混亂混亂、 飢渴飢渴、 痛苦痛苦;當性交後,心裡滋潤滿足一會兒,然後就沒了
我們實際想要的,是享受感官享樂時,或之後的那種滿足感和快樂
如果是這樣的話,為什麼要從感官中取得快樂呢?
從感官而得到的快樂極之短暫,相信沒有人會否認的
事實上,有比這更恆久的快樂,那就是禪定的快樂
如果我們像Ajahn Brahm 那樣放鬆~到極點~ 放下~到極點~
就算不用進入很深的禪定。心處於一般禪定的狀態多久,就有多久的那種我們夢寐以求的滿足感
可以是一個小時,五個小時,一整天....
然而,禪定一下降、 禪定一退;那種幸福的滿足感又沒有了
如果談到永久的那種幸福感,那就是消除自我的快樂,根斷一切煩惱的快樂
不覺得自己有任何重要性,不會貪婪飢渴,不會生氣懷有惡意,不會散亂迷亂
始終平靜滿足
大師父說這就是涅槃之樂,最高的永久快樂
We should reflect on this:
We constantly shout about wanting to see our boyfriends or girlfriends, feeling chaotic, thirsty, and in pain; when we see them, there’s a moment of happiness, a brief feeling of joy, and then it’s gone.
We want to listen to music, feeling chaotic, thirsty, and in pain; after listening, there’s a moment of satisfaction, and then it’s gone.
We want to smell a fragrance or the scent of flowers, feeling chaotic, thirsty, and in pain; after smelling it, there’s a moment of satisfaction, and then it’s gone.
We want to eat at a buffet, feeling chaotic, thirsty, and in pain; after eating, there’s a moment of satisfaction, and then it’s gone.
We are burned by sexual desire, feeling chaotic, thirsty, and in pain; after intercourse, there’s a moment of satisfaction, and then it’s gone.
What we truly want is to enjoy that sense of satisfaction and happiness during or after sensory pleasures.
If that’s the case, why seek happiness from the senses? The pleasure obtained from the senses is extremely short-lived, and we believe no one would deny that.
In fact, there is a more lasting happiness, which is the joy of stillness. If we relax~ to the max~; let go ~ to the max~ like Ajahn Brahm teaches; even without entering deep stillness, the heart then remains in a state of contentment for as long as we can maintain that stillness
It could be for an hour, five hours, a whole day...
However, once the stillness subsides, that blissful sense of satisfaction disappears again.
When it comes to a permanent sense of happiness, it is the joy of eliminating the sense of self, the happiness of cutting off all defilements.
Not feeling any importance, not being greedy or thirsty, not being angry or malicious, not being restless or confused—always calm and content.
The great masters say this is the bliss of Nibbana, the highest, permanent happiness.
在這個世界裡
苦樂是自找的
沒有人給予痛苦我們,也沒有人給予快樂我們
痛苦是因為自私的渴求不被滿足
不是因為誰怎樣怎樣,不是因為發生了什麼事情
一旦把自私的渴求剷除
痛苦就會熄滅
只剩下快樂
In this world,
suffering and happiness are self-created.
No one gives us pain, and no one gives us joy.
Pain arises from selfish desires that are unfulfilled,
not because of what someone does or what happens.
Once selfish desires are eliminated,
pain will cease,
leaving only happiness.
在這堆魚中,大部份被抓到的都是愚昧無知的。
他們不斷掙扎掙扎,漁夫怕他們會跳走,所以拍死那些掙扎的魚
有一兩條魚比較聰明,他們不掙扎,讓漁夫以為他們死了
他們認識周圍的環境,不斷蒐集資料,培育智慧;當時機成熟時便一躍跳走,安樂地回到大海中
同樣地,大部份人類都是愚昧無知的
他們不斷掙扎掙扎:想要變好,不想要目前的處境
大自然就拍死這些掙扎的人,讓他們患上抑鬱症、 焦慮症、 躁鬱症、 精神分裂症等等的精神疾病
有一些人因為佛陀教路,所以比較聰明
他們不掙扎,培育內心的平靜
以這份平靜作為基礎,他們不斷思維和覺察這個世間和身心的無常、 苦、 無我,培育智慧;當時機成熟,他們就一躍證悟涅槃,安樂地過餘下的人生
In this pile of fishes, most of those caught are ignorant and foolish.
They keep struggling;and the fisherman, fearing they might escape, hits the struggling fish.
There are one or two fish that are smarter; they don’t struggle, making the fisherman think they are dead.
They are aware of their surroundings, constantly gathering information and cultivating wisdom. When the time is right, they leap away, returning peacefully and joyfully to the sea.
Similarly, most humans are ignorant and foolish.
They keep struggling, crave for better and resisting their current situation.
Nature strikes down these struggling people, leading them to suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other mental illnesses.
Some people, guided by the Buddha's teachings, are wiser.
They do not struggle but cultivate inner peace.
With this peace as a foundation, they continuously reflect on the impermanence, suffering, and non-self of this world and their bodies and minds, cultivating wisdom. When the time is ripe, they leap into nibanna, living the rest of their lives peacefully and joyfully..
其實這個世界沒有誰的人生是圓滿的
縱使是累積了最多功德的佛陀,也沒有圓滿的家庭---他的媽媽在他出生不久就去世了。而且還要經歷病痛、 自己的僧團被分裂、 被人誹謗之逆境
有的人有錢,但沒有地位
有的人有地位,但沒有錢
有些人有錢有地位,但沒有幸福的家庭
有的人什麼都有,但人際關係不好
縱使沒有人完美,但卻有快樂且不會痛苦的人
為什麼? 因為他們聰明,懂得四聖諦:
痛苦的原因就是內心的飢渴
假如能夠去除內心的飢渴,就不會有任何痛苦,只剩下快樂....
活在這個世界要各方面都具足圓滿,根本就不可能
In fact, no one's life in this world is perfect.
Even the Buddha, who accumulated the most merits, did not have a complete family—his mother passed away shortly after his birth. He also experienced illness, the division of his monastic community, and slanderous adversity.
Some people have money but no status.
Some have status but no money.
Some have both money and status but no happy family.
Some have everything but poor interpersonal relationships.
Even though no one is perfect, there are those who are happy and do not suffer.
Why? Because they are wise and understand the Four Noble Truths:
the cause of suffering is the craving within the heart.
If one can eliminate this craving, there will be no suffering, only happiness...
Living in this world in a state of complete fulfillment in all aspects is simply impossible.
"...If you seek worldly happiness,
You will also find suffering..."
If you seek worldly happiness,
You will also encounter suffering.
For example, think about a husband or wife can bring happiness, but they also bring suffering,
That husband or wife wants children to be happy,
But whether it is a son or daughte it also brings suffering,
Because those children will bring challenges to us.
If you want love, You will also find hatred.
You cannot have one without the other;
Wanting one brings two;
This is the law of nature...
Teachings of Luang Pu Khamdee Paphaso,
Wat Tham Phapoo, Mueang District, Loei Province
「……如果你追求世俗的快樂,就會同時遭遇痛苦……」
如果你追求世俗的快樂,就會遇到痛苦。
例如,認為丈夫或妻子帶來快樂,其實也會帶來痛苦,
因為那丈夫或妻子希望有孩子而得到幸福,
但無論是兒子還是女兒,也會帶來痛苦,
因為那些孩子會帶來挑戰。
如果你想要愛,也會同時遭遇恨。
你不能只要一樣;
想要一樣就會得到兩樣;
這是自然法則……
----Luang Pu Khamdee Paphaso
"For those seeking inner peace,
there is no better path than embracing
the Dhamma and its methods
to train and transform oneself.
The Buddha’s teachings focus primarily
on mastering the mind—
guiding us to refine our habits,
avoid harm and conflict,
and cultivate happiness
according to our capacity.
The higher we elevate our minds,
the deeper our peace becomes.
This inner serenity is cool, refreshing, joyful—
a taste unlike any other.
Those who drink deeply of this Dhamma
will feel its truth within.
Thus it is said:
The flavor of peace, the taste of Dhamma,
surpasses all worldly pleasures...."
「欲求內在平靜者,
當依正法,
循其教誡,
調伏自心。
佛陀聖教,
首重治心——
革除習氣,
遠離災患,
根據我們的能力而培育快樂,
心越提升,
平靜愈深。
此內在之寂靜是,
清涼、甘美、暢悅——
飲此法味者,
會在裡面體驗到。
所以說:
平靜的味道,法的味道,
勝世間一切樂...」
— Dharma Teaching
Venerable Luang Pu Sri Mahawiro
Wat Prachakhom Wanaram (Wat Pa Kung), Si Somdet, Roi Et
cred. to Ajahn Golf 阿贊高爾夫 อาจารย์กอล์ฟ
"Where shall we seek happiness?
Not in rice, possessions, or gold—
these are not the way.
Nor in work alone—
for we suffer precisely
by chasing these very things!
True happiness comes
when we still our hearts:
‘Buddho, Buddho’—
making the mind cool and light,
at ease within itself.
When the heart is at peace,
work becomes peaceful.
Possessions bring no burden.
Markets and villages harmonize.
The entire nation finds tranquility...."
「何處覓真樂?
非米非物非金——
此皆非道。
亦非勞作中求——
因追逐這些,
恰是苦本!
真樂源於
心之寂止:
『佛陀、佛陀』——
令心清涼輕安,
自在無擾。
心安則
萬事皆安。
資財不成累贅。
市井鄉鄰和諧。
舉國得大安穩...」
— Dharma Teaching
Venerable Luang Pu Fun Ajaro
Wat Pa Udom Somporn, Phanna Nikhom, Sakon Nakhon
一個人要快樂,其實並不用一定要信佛
但一個快樂的人,雖然他自己並不知道,但一定是體現了佛法
例如遇過基督徒天主教徒,他們也可以很快樂啊
為什麼他們會那麼快樂? 那是因為他們不執著,具有很多善法
根據阿比達摩論,一顆善心,一定是柔軟、 輕鬆、 敏銳、 熟練、 沒有煩惱的。那是快樂的
不一定是宗教教他們的,但他們有追求的時候,會說:‘做到就做到啦,做不到就算了,我也控制不到’ --誒,他們有無我的基本見解。
也有聽過有些天主教徒說:‘所有人都只是我們人生中的過客而已...' 誒,很棒,說出了無常和無我的真諦
他們並不知道,也不會標記:’這是無常、 這是無我、 這是苦‘ 但卻會這樣看的。
就算是沒有宗教的人,見過他們要面對比賽或競爭,也一樣會這樣想:‘我們平常心面對’--他們不會把一件事看得太重、 太嚴重,而是輕描淡寫地面對,不執著
因此一般人也可以擁有很好的精神健康啊!
例如不同的宗教也會鼓勵信徒去捐贈、 幫助別人。
無宗教的一般人也會做啊!有哪裡地震,就去捐錢,有空就去付出、 做義工
他們從中得到了快樂
例如天主教基督教很注重感恩,感謝上帝。一個感恩的人是很知足,很容易快樂的。
他們也教導謙卑、 原諒、 互相關愛等等,進一步減少煩惱,增加快樂
他們也有他們的十誡,持戒後也會感覺良好,格外快樂和有自信。
所以根本快樂是人人都可以做到的,一個體現正法的人就是快樂的人
只不過佛法比較 系統化和直中核心而已。
誰要快樂? 就布施、 持戒和禪修吧!
誰要完全解脫苦、 達致最高的快樂?就實踐八聖道吧!
要知道痛苦的原因就是內心的渴愛和執著
去除渴愛就等於去除痛苦
而實踐八聖道就是去除內心渴愛的方法
這就是佛陀所說的四聖諦了
是否直中痛苦的核心? 就只是這樣簡單而已...
A person does not necessarily need to believe in Buddhism to be happy.
However, a happy person, even if they do not realize it, must embody the teachings of Buddhism (Dhamma).
For example, Christians and Catholics can also be very happy.
Why are they so happy? This is because they are not strongly attached and possess many good qualities.
According to the Abhidharma, a good heart is tranquil, light, soft, suitable to work, proficient, and free from defilements. That is happiness.
It is not necessarily their religion that teaches them this, but when they pursue something, they say, “If I can do it, I will; if I can’t, then it’s fine; I can’t control at all”—they have a fundamental understanding of non-self.
It is also heard that some Catholics say, “Everyone is just a passerby in our lives…” Ah, that’s wonderful; it expresses the truth of impermanence and non-self.
They may not know it or label it as “impermanence,” “non-self,” or “suffering,” but they just see it this way.
Even those without religion, when facing competition or challenges, think the same: “Let us face it with euqanimity”—they do not take things too seriously or heavily but approach them lightly and without attachment.
Therefore, ordinary people can also have good mental health!
For instance, different religions encourage their followers to donate and help others. Non-religious people do this too! When there is an earthquake, they donate money, and when they have time, they volunteer. They find happiness in this.
For example, Christianity emphasizes gratitude, thanking God.
A grateful person is very content and easily happy. They also teach humility, forgiveness, and mutual love, further reducing defilements and increasing happiness. They have their commandments, and following them brings a sense of well-being, extra happiness, and confidence.
Thus, happiness is something everyone can achieve; a person who embodies the Dhamma is a happy person.
It's just that Buddhism is more systematic and directly addresses the core.
Who wants to be happy? Just practice generosity, observe precepts, and meditate!
Who wants complete liberation from suffering and to attain the highest happiness? Then practice the Noble Eightfold Path!
Understand that the cause of suffering is the craving and attachment within the heart.
Removing craving is equivalent to removing suffering.
Practicing the Noble Eightfold Path is the method to eliminate inner craving.
This is what the Buddha called the Four Noble Truths.
Is it directly addressing the core of suffering?
It’s just that simple...
"True happiness lies in a peaceful mind.
Other forms of happiness are unreliable—
dependent on external objects.
When those objects change,
that happiness vanishes.
But happiness born of inner stillness
depends on nothing else...
It relies solely on
'mindfulness' (สติ) and
'clear comprehension' (สัมปชัญญะ)..."
「真正的快樂在於平靜的心。
其餘的快樂皆不可靠——
依賴外物而生的。
外物若變異,
樂即隨之消散。
然而由寂靜所生之樂,
不假外緣......
唯依
『正念』(สติ) 與
『正知』(สัมปชัญญะ) 而住......」
Luang Pu Rian Waralapho
cred. to Ajahn Golf 阿贊高爾夫 อาจารย์กอล์ฟ
This man is sitting cozily in the room, with air-conditioner cooling him, an attendant massaging him, a drink making him feel content.
Howver, meditation is even better than this.
Just making the mind still, the mind is cool like an air-conditioner turning on
more comfortable than people massaging us
more content than drinking a beverage
the mind is in a continuous , uninterrupted bliss that no sensual pleasure can compare to it
這個男人正舒服地坐在房中,空調送來涼風,侍者為他按摩,飲品令他滿足。
然而,禪修之樂更勝於此。
只需讓心靜止,心便如開冷氣般清涼涼爽
心比被他人按摩更舒適舒服
心比喝飲品更滿足
此心安住於持續不斷的滋潤和喜悅中,世間任何感官享樂皆無法比擬
欲求快樂的人,如果享受五欲之樂,就等於口渴喝鹽水
欲求快樂的人,如果享受禪定之樂,就等於喝清甜的的清水
為什麼?
眼睛看到美麗的影像
耳朵聽到好聽的聲音
鼻子嗅到好聞的氣味
舌頭嚐到好吃好喝的東西
身體接觸到好摸的東西
如果心沒有節制,將越來越混亂和痛苦
如果心放鬆靜止,就會慢慢地充滿能量和喜悅,這才是真正的止渴!
For those who seek happiness, indulging in the pleasures of the five senses is like quenching thirst with saltwater.
For those who seek happiness, enjoying the bliss of meditation is like drinking clear, sweet water.
Why?
When The eyes see beautiful sights,
The ears hear pleasant sounds,
The nose smells delightful fragrances,
The tongue tastes delicious food and drink,
The body touches smooth and pleasing textures.
If the mind lacks restraint, it will only grow more chaotic and suffer.
But if the mind relaxes and becomes still, it will gradually fill with energy and joy—this is the true way to quench thirst!
如果我們和一般人說修行修行,這未免太過宗教化了
修行是什麼?其實僅僅是提升EQ 而已😂
戒限制了我們粗糙的負面情緒,大致地管理好我們的情緒
定限制了我們中等的負面情緒,中等地管理好我們的情緒
慧限制和去除我們微細的負面情緒,細微地管理好我們的情緒
佛陀和阿羅漢EQ 爆燈!僅此而已
If we tell ordinary people about "Dhamma practice," it might sound too religious.
So what is "Dhamma practice" really? It’s simply about improving EQ (Emotional Quotient). !😂
Precepts (Sīla) restrain our coarse negative emotions, roughly managing our emotional state.
Stillness (Samādhi) restrains our moderate negative emotions, moderately managing our emotions.
Wisdom (Paññā) restricts and removes our subtle negative emotions, finely managing our emotions.
The Buddha and Arahants? They’ve EQ to the max~ that’s all there is to it!
有許多苦都是自己想多了
用一個禪修方法讓心停止去胡思亂想是一個方法
把內心的渴望執著去除是最好的方法
Image cred. To @wongsiudio
Devotee: The first Noble Truth is about the unsatisfactoriness of life, or dukkha. But people often ask: you always look so happy—is it real, or are you just putting on an act?
Ajahn Brahm: It's not an act at all. If I just pasted on a happy smile to fool everyone, I'd soon be found out. I'm now a very well-documented monk, so the happiness has to be genuine. When you're playing a role, you become so tense after a while that you can even get sick.
So the happiness is real. But how can that be? I once gave a series of talks in Indonesia called "Happy Every Day." People would challenge me: how can you be happy every day? What about nighttime? What about when you're sick, grumpy, or when things don't go your way?
The point is this: be happy to be grumpy, happy to be tired, happy to be wrong sometimes, happy to fail sometimes—even happy to be sick.
Sickness is a great example. Is there anyone in this room who's never been sick in their entire life? If someone raised their hand saying they've never been sick ever, they'd be so weird and strange that people would rush them to a medical facility for tests. In fact, if you're always perfectly healthy every single day of your life, there's probably something wrong with you.
It's alright to be sick. It's natural to be sick. It's normal to be sick. So why do people say, "There's something wrong with me—I'm sick"? My students in Australia are well known for going to their GP and cheerfully announcing, "Doctor, there's something right with me—I'm sick again!"
In other words, we're accepting that sickness is part of life. We're happy to be sick. We accept being sick. We open the door of our heart to life as it is. …
When you truly understand dukkha, suffering, you stop fighting it. You accept it. This is what my teacher meant with his wonderful saying: "Joy at last to know there's no happiness in the world."
What does that mean? It means you no longer complain or think there's something wrong with you, with the world, or with life itself. Suffering is simply part of life. When happiness comes, you enjoy it. When difficulties come, that's part of life too. The suffering of life is exactly where we learn, where we grow. Without those challenges, there would be no growth.
This is why the 70% rule is so important. If your life is always 100% happy, successful, and free of problems, you learn nothing. It's the difficulties, the troubles, and the trials of life that help people grow.
Here's one of my favorite similes: Imagine you tread in dog poo while walking home. Never scrape it off your shoes until you get home. Always take the dog poo home with you. Then, in your garden, scrape it off—say, right under the mango tree. One year later, your mangoes will be sweeter and juicier than ever before. Why? Because dog poo is great fertilizer.
The difficulties of life are where we grow. The problems you have in your business, in your relationships, in your practice—these are opportunities. This is where real growth happens.
Yes, suffering is the first Noble Truth, but it also leads to happiness and to enlightenment. It's precisely where we learn and grow.
Effective Management by Ajahn Brahm 6th Nov 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcseeNZfl3M
信徒:第一聖諦講的是生命的無常與不讓人滿意,也就是「苦」(dukkha)。但是大家常常問:你看起來總是那麼快樂——這是真的嗎?還是你只是在裝模作樣?
阿姜布拉姆:這絕對不是裝的。如果我只是為了騙大家而強顏歡笑,很快就會被拆穿。我現在已經是個被記錄得非常詳細的僧人,所以這份快樂必須是真實的。如果你在扮演一個角色,久了之後會變得非常緊張,甚至會生病。
所以,這份快樂是真實的。但這怎麼可能呢?我曾在印尼講過一系列題為「每天快樂」的講座。人們會質疑我:怎麼可能每天都快樂?晚上呢?生病的時候呢?心情煩躁的時候呢?事情不如意的時候呢?
重點就在這裡:要快樂地煩躁、快樂地疲倦、有時候快樂地犯錯、有時候快樂地失敗——甚至快樂地生病。
生病就是一個很好的例子。這房間裡有誰一輩子從來沒生過病嗎?如果有人舉手說自己從來沒生過病,那個人會超級怪異、超級奇怪,大家一定會立刻把他送到醫院去做檢查。事實上,如果一個人一生中每一天都完美健康,那大概才真的有問題。
生病沒關係。這是自然的。這是正常的。所以為什麼有人會說:「我有問題——我生病了」?我在澳洲的學生很有名,他們去看家庭醫生時,會開心地說:「醫生,我又對了——我又生病了!」
換句話說,我們接受生病是生命的一部分。我們快樂地生病。我們接受生病。我們敞開心門,迎接生命本來的樣子……
當你真正理解「苦」(dukkha)、理解痛苦時,你就不會再抗拒它。你會接受它。這就是我的老師那句精彩的話所要表達的:「終於喜悅,知道世上沒有快樂。」
這是什麼意思?意思是你不再抱怨,不再覺得自己有問題、世界有問題、生命有問題。痛苦只是生命的一部分。快樂來了,你就享受它;困難來了,那也是生命的一部分。生命的痛苦正是我們學習的地方、成長的地方。如果沒有這些挑戰,就沒有成長。
這就是為什麼「70%法則」如此重要。如果你的生活永遠是100%快樂、成功、沒有問題,你什麼都學不到。正是生命的困難、麻煩和試煉,才讓人成長。
這是我最喜歡的比喻之一:想像你走路回家時踩到狗屎。千萬不要在路上就把鞋子上的狗屎刮掉。一定要把狗屎帶回家。然後到家裡的花園裡,把它刮下來——比如說,就刮在芒果樹下。一年後,你的芒果會比以往任何時候都更甜、更多汁。為什麼?因為狗屎是極佳的肥料。
生命的困難就是我們成長的地方。你在生意上、關係中、修行中遇到的問題——這些都是機會。這正是真正成長發生的地方。
是的,苦是第一聖諦,但它也會引導我們走向快樂與覺悟。它正是我們學習與成長的所在。
阿姜布拉姆《有效管理》講座
2017年11月6日
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcseeNZfl3M
Do you know what this video of burning firewood is called?
Netizens have crowned it the "Ultimate Healing Video" 😆
Despite its seemingly monotonous and repetitive visual style, it has astonishingly amassed over 150 million views in the past nine years. It is even estimated that its advertising revenue has reached $1.2 million (approximately HK$9.36 million).
Some say we are now in the Dharma Ending Age—
What Dharma is ending?
Everyone is practicing *fire kasina* meditation instead 😂
Indeed! Watching the flames and feeling peace and joy arise in the heart—that already is practicing fire kasina meditation!
Some netizens say watching this video helps reduce stress and aids sleep.
These, in fact, are all benefits of meditation.
知道這段火燒柴的影片叫什麼嗎?
它被網民封為「治愈神片」😆
看似單調重複的視覺風格,卻在過去九年創下超過1.5億觀看人次的驚人紀錄。更有估計指出,其廣告收入已達120萬美元(約936萬港元)
有人說現在是末法時代
末什麼法?
大家都在修火遍😂
是啊!看著火,然後心生起平靜和喜悅,這已經是在修火遍了!
有些網友說,看這段片具有減壓及助眠的作用
這些其實都是禪修的好處
“...Do not play around too much;
the teachers are becoming fewer every day.
If we only practice a little, it will all turn worldly.
As Luang Pu Mun predicted,
the forest monasteries will become village temples,
village temples will become places of the dead,
and the dead will turn to madness.
He predicted it all.
Look at how hot the world is now;
when one approaches the monks,
when one sees the teachers,
the heart feels at ease…
See?
Those who come close to the teachers feel calm and peaceful.
Just seeing the temple,
seeing the behavior of the teachers,
the mind becomes serene.
If one goes out into the world,
one will soon run back to the Dhamma again.
Observe this;
if the heart is not burning, it wouldn’t run back.
It is very chaotic in these times.
Progress and decline coexist.
What more can we achieve?
Even within families, there’s competition
to be the prominent one in the household.
The same goes for leadership;
there’s a struggle for the chair, seeking prominence.
Soon one is removed from position,
and shortly after, one is appointed again.
In this world, when you think about it, where is happiness?
There seems to be no happiness.
If you truly reflect,
go and contemplate this carefully….”
“...不要玩得太過火;
師父們每天都在變少。
如果只稍微修行,將會完全變成世俗。
如同阿姜曼所預言,
森林寺廟將變成村莊廟宇,
村莊廟宇將變成死者的地方,
而死者將變得瘋狂。
他預言的一切都已經成真。
看看現在世界是多麼炎熱;
當一個人接近僧侶,
當一個人看到師父,
心情就會感到安慰……
看!
那些接近師父的人都感到心靈的平靜。
光是看到寺廟,
看到師父的舉止,
心靈就會變得寧靜。
如果一個人走入世俗,
不久就會跑回來尋求法。
觀察一下;
如果心不焦慮,就不會跑回來。
如今的時代真的很混亂。
進步與衰退並存。
我們能得到什麼呢?
甚至在家庭中,大家也在競爭
成為家庭中的佼佼者。
同樣的道理也適用於領導;
大家在爭奪地位,追求卓越。
不久就會被罷免,
不久又會被重新任命。
在這個世界上,想來想去,哪裡有快樂?
似乎沒有快樂。
如果你真正反思,
請仔細思考這一點……”
Dharma Teachings
Luang Pu Lee Kusaltharo
Wat Phu Phadaeng, Udon Thani Province
一般人有無事化有事、小事化大事的能力
但修行人卻有大事化小、小事化無的能力
為甚麼這樣呢?
一般人的內心是完全混亂的。他們的心動蕩不安。
就算平白無事,內心都會自動造作不同的煩惱、擔憂出來。
當真的出現不幸的事情,內心的造作會更加嚴重,負面情緒會更多;結果小事卻變成大事了
而修行人因為平時有修習戒定慧,擅於調伏自心。煩惱一出現,熟練的正念就會立即識破它們,讓它們縮回去。
因此無論有多大的事情發生,都不能太影響他們的心情和神志。
聽過有大師父被醫生告知患上癌症,但大師父的反應卻是輕鬆地笑出來了。
在他們眼中,生、老、病、死、求不得、愛別離、碰見不可意的--實是再正常不過的了。他們的心早已完全接受這些常態,放下一切,所以不會掙扎和痛苦。
這就是佛法的威力
Ordinary people have the ability to turn nothing into something and small matters into big ones.
But practitioners (of Dharma) have the ability to turn big matters into small ones and small matters into nothing.
Why is this so?
The minds of ordinary people are completely chaotic. Their hearts are restless and unsettled.
Even when there is objectively nothing wrong, their minds automatically fabricate various troubles and worries.
When real misfortunes occur, the mental fabrication becomes even more severe, and negative emotions multiply; as a result, small matters turn into big ones.
In contrast, practitioners, through regularly cultivating precepts, stillness, and wisdom, are skilled at taming their own minds. As soon as defilements arise, proficient mindfulness immediately recognizes them, causing them to subside.
Therefore, no matter how major an event occurs, it cannot greatly affect their mood or composure.
I have heard of a great master who, upon being informed by a doctor that he had cancer, responded by smiling lightly and relaxedly.
In their eyes, birth, aging, illness, death, not getting what one wants, separation from loved ones, encountering the unpleasant—these are simply the most normal things in life. Their minds have long fully accepted these ordinary realities and let go of everything, so there is no struggle or suffering.
This is the power of the Buddha's Dharma.
我們常說‘隨緣’
這其實是一種非常好的態度
如果我們真的能夠100%隨緣的話,我們將不會有任何內心的痛苦和壓力
隨緣意思就是,當下有什麼條件,我們就順應那個條件而生起反應。
隨緣是消極、懶惰嗎?
非也
我們看到,就算是佛陀和諸位阿羅漢,也非常精勤地度化眾生,從事種種公益活動。他們的生產力、勤奮程度甚至大幅度地超越一般人。
隨緣意味著積極生活的同時而沒有壓力和痛苦。因為隨緣的人知道無我,知道一切都無法掌控,所有的思想、說話、行為,乃至於我們遇到的一切,僅僅是條件組合而已,毫無實質。
當如此看到,就不會強求,也不會生起貪婪。因為知道就算貪,都沒用,不會讓我們多了東西,只是徒添壓力罷了。有多少、結果如何,僅僅只是隨條件而發生而已。
當我們不渴求,就如佛陀在四聖諦中提到:‘渴愛是痛苦的原因,渴愛的熄滅是痛苦的熄滅’ ;我們將不會有任何痛苦和壓力。
我們可以作出對未來的規劃、對過去的反思;但一切順其自熱,把心門完全打開,接受過去的一切、現在當下、和未來將會迎來的一切---無論好與壞。
內心不會掙扎和痛苦。
把一般人以撈取、得到的動機,轉化為慈悲、利益自己和他人、不執著的動機
因此隨緣是絕佳的生活態度
We often say "go with the flow" (suí yuán).
This is actually a very good attitude.
If we could 100% go with the flow , we would have no inner suffering or stress.
"Going with the flow" means: based on the conditions present at the moment, we respond accordingly.
Is going with the flow passive or lazy?
Not at all.
We see that even the Buddha and the arahants diligently guide sentient beings and engage in various acts of public welfare. Their productivity and diligence far surpass that of ordinary people.
Going with the flow means living actively without stress or suffering. Those who go with the flow understand non-self (anattā) and know that nothing can be controlled—all thoughts, speech, actions, and everything we encounter are merely combinations of conditions, without any real substance.
Seeing this, we neither force things nor give rise to greed. We know that craving is useless; it won't bring us more, it only adds stress. What we have and how things turn out simply unfold according to conditions.
When we are free from craving, as the Buddha taught in the Four Noble Truths: “Craving is the cause of suffering; the cessation of craving is the cessation of suffering”—we will have no suffering or stress.
We can make plans for the future and reflect on the past, but we let everything take its natural course, opening our hearts completely to accept all that has happened, the present moment, and all that will come—whether good or bad.
The mind will not struggle or suffer.
We transform the ordinary motivation of grasping and acquiring into one of loving kindness, compassion, benefiting ourselves and others, free from attachment.
Thus, going with the flow is an excellent way of life.
The heart is more important than everything external.
If we are in hell but our heart is joyful, then in that moment, we are actually in heaven.
If we are in heaven but our heart is suffering, then in that moment, we are actually in hell.
If our heart is filled with right mindfulness, stillness, and wisdom, what does it matter if we lose our job?
What does it matter if we go through a divorce?
What does it matter if we lose a loved one?
We are always in heaven.
But if our heart is constantly restless,
filled with insatiable thirst, restlessness, anger, and jealousy,
and we are in a state of confusion as if the mind is flooded with water
then even if we are in a luxurious mansion,
we have a billion in the bank,
what is the use?
That is hell with a signboard of heaven.
Everything in the world is unimportant and can be relinquished, because the most important thing is the heart.
心比外在一切東西重要
假如我們身在地獄,但心是快樂的;
那麼那一刻,我們其實是在天堂
假如我們身在天堂,但心是痛苦
那麼那一刻,我們其實是在地獄
假如我們的心有正念,有定力,有智慧
失去工作又如何?
離婚又如何?
死了親人又如何?
我們一直都在天堂之中
但如果我們的心一直在散亂,
不斷飢渴不安,不斷生氣妒忌
處於水浸的昏沉狀態
那麼就算身在豪宅之中
銀行存款有十個億又如何?
那是在掛著天堂招牌的地獄
世間的一切全都不重要,全都可以捨棄
因為最重要是心
Devotee: How do deep meditations benefit daily life?
Ajahn Brahm: Number one: it gets you out of daily life. There are too many people on the planet, too many consumers. And if you get all your pleasure out of deep meditation, you don't need TVs, you don't need internet, you don't need big houses, and so you consume much less. Isn't that great for the environment? You don't need a car—I don't own a car; the monastery does. Right? But what it does mean is in daily life, you're possible to not get angry. That's a beautiful thing.
There are too many people who get upset and angry in this world, and when that's just not part of your social repertoire, how much can you help other people? Even actually, I often talk about myself—it's only because I know exactly what happened, why it happened. Remember, just one of the best pieces of praise I ever got in my life was when I received a telephone call from a prison officer. And he said, "Oh, Ajahn Brahm, I got through to you at last. Can you please come back to teach at my prison?"—the prison where he worked.
I said, "Look, you know, I've got to do meditation retreats; I've got to go to the Buddhist Fellowship, the Buddhist Gem Fellowship; go over to Sydney and Melbourne to teach, and blah blah blah." And then he said, "Look, can you please come to our prison to teach?" And of course, I said, "Why me?" And what he said was one of the best pieces of praise I've ever heard. He said, "Because I've been in this prison service all my life—that's my career. I'm about to retire, and I've noticed something strange, unique: every prisoner who comes to your classes, once they finish their sentence, never comes back to prison. Zero recidivism."
And he said, "That's why we want you back, please." And sometimes that made me think: why? What was I doing? You know, people who go to jail, they have a very hard time when they come out of jail. They usually lose their wife if they're a guy who went to jail, and the family as well. Who wants to employ someone who was a prisoner before? And so they have such a hard time. So anyway, I said because I don't ever see any prisoner in—I don't ever see any criminal in jail. I see the rest of them, the people who weren't criminals—the other part of that person.
2024 March - April (9/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXQ7enorLVo&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=9
信徒:深層禪修如何益於日常生活?
阿姜布拉姆:第一:它讓你從日常生活中抽離。這個星球上人太多了,消費者太多了。如果你能從深層禪修中獲得所有喜悅,你就不需要電視,不需要網路,不需要大房子,因此你的消費會少得多。這對環境不是很棒嗎?你不需要汽車——我沒有汽車;寺院有。對吧?但這也意味著,在日常生活中,你可能不會生氣。這是一件美好的事。
這個世界上有太多人煩惱和憤怒,而當這完全不是你社交行為的一部分時,你能幫助他人多少呢?其實,我經常談論自己——那只是因為我確切地知道發生了什麼,以及為何發生。記得,我一生中得到過最好的讚美之一,是來自一位監獄官打來的電話。他說:「噢,阿姜布拉姆,我終於聯絡上您了。請問您能否再來我工作的監獄教課?」
我說:「你看,你知道的,我得帶領禪修閉關;我得去佛教聯誼會、佛教之寶聯誼會;還得去悉尼和墨爾本教學,諸如此類。」然後他說:「請問您能否來我們的監獄教學?」當然,我問:「為什麼是我?」他的回答是我聽過最好的讚美之一。他說:「因為我一生都在監獄服務——這是我的職業。我即將退休,而我注意到一件奇怪又獨特的事:每個來上您課程的囚犯,一旦服刑期滿,就再也沒有回到監獄。再犯率為零。」
他說:「所以我們希望您再來,拜託了。」這有時讓我想:為什麼?我做了什麼?你知道的,進過監獄的人,出獄後日子非常難過。如果是男性入獄,通常會失去妻子,家庭也可能破碎。誰願意雇用曾經是囚犯的人呢?因此他們處境非常艱難。總之,我說那是因為我從不把任何人看作囚犯——我從不在監獄裡看到任何罪犯。我看到的是他們的其他部分,那些不是罪犯的部分——那個人的另一面。
2024年3月-4月 (9/19) | 9日禪修 | 阿姜布拉姆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXQ7enorLVo&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=9
《不要執著別人的事情》
我們要訓練自己的「心」讓它保持平靜,無論發生什麼事情,什麼東西升起,什麼東西消失,都要讓我們的心保持平靜,不要去捲入其中。捲入其中只會造成不必要的痛苦——免費的痛苦。光是我們自己的事情就已經不夠了,還要去承擔別人的痛苦,去擔心孩子、孫子、朋友及他們的事情。讓他們的問題成為他們的問題,我們不應該讓它們困擾到我們的心。人們已經有很多理由去受苦。如果我們去承擔所有的痛苦,最終會變得神經質。我們思慮過多、擔心太多,以至於無法幫助他人,卻忽視了訓練自己的心。反而我們在想著他們的問題,心裡感到可憐,擔心他們的安危,害怕他們不會好,擔心他們會遇到危險,害怕他們會貧窮。各種各樣的思考,思考越多,習慣就越深。
佛陀教導我們不要想太多,不要過度擔心。孩子和孫子怎麼樣與我們無關。我們應該練習放下。這樣,我們就能避免因為不必要的擔憂而造成心裡的煩惱。我們覺得不會去想,但實際上還是會想,因為我們已經習慣了這種思維方式。佛陀告訴我們要停止,不要製造心裡的煩惱。我們應該練習接受和放下,認識到別人的事是他們自己的責任。我們來到這個世界上沒有帶來任何東西,當我們死去時也帶不走任何東西。我們需要這樣思考,訓練自己的心讓它保持平靜,放下對孩子、家庭和社會的思考。光是擔心自己的問題還不夠,我們還要思考社會和政治的事情,陷入自私的思維中。佛陀告訴我們不要去關心政治,因為這沒有意義,這反映了人們的自私。我們想著他們為什麼這樣或那樣,覺得不應該這樣做,然後就陷入了這些思維中。
這是一段來自《善心、平靜心 4》一書的佛法教誨。
---Luang Por Ganha
《Dont cling to other's issues》
We train our 'hearts' to be calm, no matter what happens, what arises, or what passes away. We should keep our hearts calm and not get tangled up in it. Getting tangled leads to unnecessary suffering—free suffering, even. It’s not enough that we suffer from our own issues; we also take on the suffering of others, worrying about our children, grandchildren, friends, and their matters. Let their issues be theirs; we shouldn't let them trouble our hearts. People already have plenty of reasons to suffer. If we take on all that suffering, we risk becoming neurotic. We overthink and worry so much that we can't help them, and we neglect to train our own hearts. Instead, we think and obsess over their problems, feeling sorry for them, worrying about their well-being, fearing they won’t be okay, worrying they’ll face danger, or fearing they’ll be poor. We think about all kinds of things, and the more we think, the more it becomes our habit.
The Buddha teaches us not to overthink or worry excessively. Whatever happens with our children or grandchildren is not our concern. We should practice letting go. This way, we stop creating mental defilements by avoiding unnecessary worries about others. We think we won’t think about it, but we end up thinking anyway because we’ve become so skilled at it. The Buddha advises us to stop and not create mental defilements. We should practice acceptance and letting go, recognizing that others are their own responsibility. We come into this world without bringing anything, and when we die, we take nothing with us. We need to think this way, training our hearts to be calm and letting go of thoughts about children, family, and society. It’s not enough to worry about our issues; we also think about community and political matters, becoming entangled in selfish thoughts. The Buddha tells us not to concern ourselves with politics as it serves no purpose, as it reflects the selfishness of people. We ponder why they do this or that, thinking it shouldn’t be done, and we get stuck in those thoughts.
----Luang Por Ganha
This is a segment of a Dhamma teaching from the book "Kind Heart, Peaceful Mind 4."
要遠離、去除精神上的痛苦;其實非常簡單,又非常難
簡單是因為原理簡單、道理簡單
第二聖諦:渴愛是痛苦的原因
第三聖諦:渴愛的止息就是痛苦的止息
每次我們生起痛苦、壓力、焦慮、恐懼、抑鬱、生氣,我們就可以問問自己:我究竟在渴求些什麼呢?
只要我們不貪、不渴求、不執著,就什麼痛苦都沒有
但為什麼難? 因為說就容易,做就難😂
例如一個人貪錢,過了幾十年依然貪錢
一個人貪權,過了幾十年依然貪權
一個人貪名,過了幾十年依然貪名
一個人好色,過了幾十年依然好色
江山易改,本性難移
我們貪不貪,都一樣。貪並不會讓東西多了,只是徒增精神壓力而已啊!
例如無論我們貪不貪,錢都一樣每個月特定日子來。我們不斷貪求、想著錢、沒有節制(戒),反而製造內心的混亂和壓力、無法專注工作(定)。當我們無法專注工作,就無法做得好(慧)。當我們無法做得好,最後反而少了錢、差了。
如果要讓一個人作出很大的改變,通常要有很大的挫折來打擊他。不然他是幾乎不會改的
例如一個人貪錢,就所有錢突然消失
一個人貪權,就所有權力都突然沒了
一個人貪名,就突然許多人說他是非、詆毀他、罵他
一個人鹹濕(好色),就讓他追不到女孩子、男孩子
當他們遭受很大的痛苦,他們就可能尋找脫離痛苦的方法
方法是什麼?不要貪、不要執著😂
怎樣不要貪、不要執著?
也是很簡單,修習戒、定、慧
戒其實就是節制自己、道德的約束。其實我們都不是完美的,人非聖賢孰能無過呢?我們人人都肯定犯過錯!
但過去的就不要理了。我們就在當下下定決心:‘由現在起,我不會傷害任何生命、不會傷害自己’。當我們建立起道德和約束,就會慢慢有自信、不容易後悔。當我們不後悔,內心就不會混亂,也就容易平靜下來。
其實也要戒絕任何會影響神志的東西,包括酒類、毒品。為什麼? 當我們喝下去後,是會讓內心越來越混亂、不受控的。有些人喝了酒第二天,整顆心都陷入黑暗、懶惰、混亂、不舒服。這也是在傷害自己
所以自我約束是會幫助禪定的生起的。禪定是什麼? 就是內心的平靜、集中、喜悅、舒服、清明。
有些人會覺得一定要看呼吸啊之類的,但其實不是的!有非常非常多的方法!
很簡單,譬如我們最喜歡什麼顏色?如果是藍色的話,就在心裡想像藍色的東西,例如藍玫瑰。然後就不斷在內心默念和標記‘藍、藍、藍、藍’,如果我們喜歡這個方法的話,心很容易平靜下來,變得清涼喜悅。這種禪修方法叫‘色遍’
有些人有宗教信仰的,譬如信耶穌。我們就想像耶穌的圖像和祂種種美德,例如謙遜、無私、慈悲、捨己奉獻。不斷這樣思維,內心也會變得平靜、喜悅和涼快。這種禪修方法叫‘天神隨念’
如果我們喜歡遠足,可以去郊外,觀看壯麗的山河、大自然。當我們集中在平靜的湖泊,心變得平靜和喜悅,這是‘水遍禪’。
當我們因為觀看壯麗的山脈而生起平靜,這就是‘地遍禪’。
當我們因為仰望廣闊的天際、空間而生起平靜,這就是‘空遍禪’。
當我們看著微風吹拂樹叢,讓樹木搖擺,我們生起平靜和喜悅,這就是‘風遍禪’。
入夜後,我們觀看美麗的月光,而生起平靜和喜悅,這是‘光遍禪’。
當我們集中觀看營火,而生起平靜,這是‘火遍禪’。
其實不用一定要出外,只是心中想像,然後集中去那個影像那裡,已經是了。只不過要提醒的是,如果我們看到有什麼光、見到什麼什麼啊,不要去理會,因為這不是我們的目標,我們的目標僅僅只是內心的平靜和喜悅而已。
禪修要以放鬆、放下的心來禪修,心才會容易平靜下來。
如果心不斷地跑,以強硬的方法去威迫讓心回來,它只會和我們作對,跑得更厲害。
但當我們對心施予善意、不強迫它,它就會以善意回報我們😂 。 它雖然仍會跑,但很快就會回來了,而且慢慢減少跑開的頻率。
當我們有很穩定的禪定後,就可以培育智慧:了知事物的真相--透過思維我們執著那樣東西的無常、苦(不讓人滿意的)、無我(‘我’不存在、沒有東西是‘我的’,因為不能被掌控)。
例如我們貪名?就思維,我們可以給人讚,也可以給人彈,這是無常的、無法掌控的,以此去除對名譽的執著和貪求
我們貪權?就思維別人不一定聽我們、受我們控制啊!--這是無我。這刻他聽我的,下一刻不一定聽我的--這是無常。以此去除對權力的執著和貪求
我們貪錢?就思維錢財不是我們想要就有的,那不是我們控制到的--這是無我。我們可以富有,但無常也可以讓我們一夜之間因意外而變得一無所有。以此去除對金錢的執著和貪求
我們好色?就思維異性身體的不乾淨(苦)--由頭到腳,充滿著種種不乾淨的器官。例如大腦、屎便、尿液、血、胃部、胃中的食物渣滓等等,以去除淫慾。
原理非常簡單。但如果沒有禪定的支持,是非常難去除執著的。當我們有很穩定的禪定,心就會變得清爽、舒服、飽滿、喜悅、勇敢、有力量。如果定力深到一個層次,全身每個毛孔甚至會充滿喜悅呢!這種快樂超越任何我們嚐過的感官欲樂。 有禪修者形容這比性高潮還要快樂純潔。有吸毒人士反映,這比海洛因更加快樂。
就好像我們有一個很要好的朋友,我們天天都見到他,和他上課在一起、吃飯在一起、工作在一起、玩樂時在一起,形影不離的。但一旦他出pool 了(談戀愛了),他就拋棄我們了😂 為什麼? 他從異性那裡取得的快樂多於從我們那裡取得的快樂😂
同樣地,當我們從禪定那裡取得快樂,也就很自然地會鬆開對世間種種的執著--名譽、權力、財富、異性。我們甚至不再對五種感官的欲樂-- 好看的影像、好聽的聲音、好嗅的氣味、好嚐的味道、好摸的觸感--這些有太多興趣,因為從這些得到的快樂弱得可憐
這時再培育智慧就會簡單得多。
不過我們不會去批判別人的。為什麼?每個人追求什麼樣的快樂是他們的自由。況且,我們也不是完美的,我們自己也有許多渴求和瑕疵😂
不過假如我們看到貪慾、渴求的過患,就不會太過放肆了。
比如說,比較細微的貪慾--想要食好西(美食)。但當去到餐廳門口,卻發現餐廳關了,我們就會很痛苦不滿了。
就算是一般人眼中好的東西,比如說德行。如果我們執著的話....假如有一天,我們不小心傷害了別人,或者別人罵我們壞蛋,我們會難受一整天嗎?哈哈!
我們執著宗教,如果有人攻擊我們的宗教呢?如果我們宗教裡出現醜聞呢?會生氣難受嗎?
宗教人士想去天堂,但有發現,自己不斷渴求,已經造成了精神上的壓力嗎?
To distance oneself from and eliminate mental suffering is, in fact, both very simple and very difficult.
It is simple because the principle and the reasoning are straightforward.
The Second Noble Truth: Craving is the cause of suffering.
The Third Noble Truth: The cessation of craving is the cessation of suffering.
Whenever we experience suffering, stress, anxiety, fear, depression, or anger, we can ask ourselves: *What exactly am I craving?*
As long as we are not greedy, not craving, and not attached, there is no suffering at all.
But why is it difficult? Because it is easier said than done😂.
For example, a person who craves money may still crave it after decades.
A person who craves power may still crave it after decades.
A person who craves fame may still crave it after decades.
A person who is lustful may still be lustful after decades.
It’s easier to change a mountain or a river than to change one’s inherent nature.
Whether we crave or not, the reality remains the same. Craving doesn’t make things increase; it only adds mental pressure!
For example, regardless of whether we crave money or not, it still comes on the same specific days each month. If we constantly crave, obsess over money, and lack restraint (precepts), we only create inner chaos, stress, and an inability to focus at work (stillness). When we can’t focus, we can’t perform well (wisdom). And if we can’t perform well, we end up with less money and poorer outcomes.
If we want someone to make a significant change, it usually takes a major setback to shake them. Otherwise, they will hardly change.
For example, if someone craves money, let all their money suddenly disappear.
If someone craves power, let all their power suddenly vanish.
If someone craves fame, let many people suddenly gossip about, slander, and criticize them.
If someone is lustful, let them fail to attract the person they desire.
When they suffer greatly, they may then seek a way out of that suffering.
What is the way? Don’t crave, don’t cling😂.
How to not crave or cling?
It’s also very simple: cultivate precepts, stillness, and wisdom.
Precepts are essentially self-restraint and moral discipline. None of us are perfect—who is without fault? We have all made mistakes!
But don’t dwell on the past. Make a firm decision in the present: *From now on, I will not harm any living being, including myself.* When we establish morality and discipline, we gradually build confidence and become less prone to regret. When we have no regrets, our minds are not chaotic, making it easier to find peace.
It is also important to abstain from anything that impairs clarity of mind, including alcohol and drugs. Why? When we consume these, our minds become increasingly chaotic and uncontrollable. Some people, after drinking, feel their entire mind sink into darkness, laziness, confusion, and discomfort the next day. This is also harming oneself.
Thus, self-discipline helps the development of stillness. What is stillness? It is inner peace, focus, joy, comfort, and clarity.
Some may think cultivation of stillness must involve watching the breath or similar techniques, but that’s not the only way! There are many, many methods!
It’s simple: For example, what is our favorite color? If it’s blue, imagine something blue in our mind, like a blue rose. Then continuously mentally note and label: *blue, blue, blue, blue.* If we enjoy this method, the mind easily calms down, becoming cool and joyful. This meditation method is called *kasiṇa meditation*
For those with religious beliefs, such as faith in Jesus, we can visualize an image of Jesus and reflect on His virtues, such as humility, selflessness, compassion, and sacrifice. Continuously contemplating these qualities also brings peace, joy, and coolness to the mind. This meditation method is called *recollection of deities*.
If we enjoy hiking, we can go outdoors and observe magnificent mountains, rivers, and nature. When we focus on a calm lake, the mind becomes peaceful and joyful—this is *water kasiṇa meditation*.
When we feel peace by gazing at majestic mountain ranges, this is *earth kasiṇa meditation*.
When we feel peace by looking up at the vast sky or open space, this is *space kasiṇa meditation*.
When we watch the breeze swaying trees and feel peace and joy, this is *wind kasiṇa meditation*.
At night, if we gaze at the beautiful moonlight and feel peace and joy, this is *light kasiṇa meditation*.
When we focus on a campfire and find peace, this is *fire kasiṇa meditation*.
We don’t even need to go outside—simply imagining and focusing on these images in the mind is enough. Just remember: if we see lights or visions during meditation, don’t pay attention to them, as they are not our goal. Our goal is solely inner peace and joy.
Meditation should be practiced with a relaxed, letting-go attitude—only then can the mind easily settle.
If the mind keeps wandering and we try to force it back harshly, it will only resist and wander even more.
But when we treat the mind with kindness and don’t force it, it responds with kindness😂. Though it may still wander, it will return quickly and gradually wander less frequently.
When we have stable stillness, we can cultivate wisdom: understanding the true nature of things—by reflecting on the impermanence, dukkha unsatisfactoriness, and non-self (no an enitity called 'I' and no mine--because we can't control anything) of whatever we cling to.
For example, do we crave fame? Reflect: we can be praised or criticized—this is impermanent and uncontrollable, thus removing attachment and craving for reputation.
Do we crave power? Reflect: others may not always listen to us or be under our control—this is non-self. They may listen now but not later—this is impermanence, thus removing attachment and craving for power.
Do we crave money? Reflect: wealth is not something we can obtain just because we want it—it’s beyond our control (non-self). We may be rich, but impermanence can leave us with nothing overnight due to unforeseen events, thus removing attachment and craving for money.
Are we lustful? Reflect on the impurity of the human body (unsatisfactoriness)—from head to toe, it’s filled with impure organs: the brain, feces, urine, blood, stomach, undigested food residues, etc., to eliminate lust.
The principle is very simple, but without the support of stillness, it is extremely difficult to let go of attachments. When we have stable stillness, the mind becomes refreshed, comfortable, full, joyful, courageous, and powerful. If stillness deepens to a certain level, every pore of the body can be filled with joy! This happiness surpasses any sensory pleasure we’ve ever experienced. Some meditators describe it as purer and more blissful than sexual orgasm. Some former drug users say it is even more blissful than heroin.
It’s like having a very close friend—we see them every day, attend classes together, eat together, work together, and play together, inseparable. But once they get into a relationship😂, they abandon us. Why? Because they derive more happiness from their partner than from us😂.
Similarly, when we derive happiness from stillness, we naturally loosen our attachments to worldly things—reputation, power, wealth, and the opposite sex. We even lose interest in the pleasures of the five senses—beautiful sights, pleasant sounds, fragrant smells, delicious tastes, and pleasing tactile sensations—because the happiness derived from them is pitifully weak.
At this point, cultivating wisdom becomes much easier.
However, we won’t judge others. Why? It is everyone’s freedom to pursue whatever brings them happiness. Besides, we are not perfect either—we ourselves have many desires and flaws😂.
But if we recognize the drawbacks of greed and craving, we won’t indulge too recklessly.
For example, take a subtle form of greed—craving good food. But when we arrive at the restaurant door only to find it closed, we feel frustrated and dissatisfied.
Even things generally considered good, such as virtue, can cause suffering if we cling to them. Suppose one day we accidentally hurt someone, or someone calls us a bad person—would we feel upset all day? Haha!
If we are attached to religion, what happens when someone attacks our faith? Or when scandals arise within our religious community? Would we feel angry or distressed?
Religious people may aspire to go to heaven, but do they realize that their incessant cravings have already created mental pressure?
Thus, if we can eliminate all craving and attachment, that is true bliss—the highest happiness!
我們有買保險嗎?我們買保險,就是為了在發生意外時得到一筆應急的金錢,去應付困境。
但我們許多時候只是買了世間的保險,沒有買心的保險。
怎樣為之買心的保險?
就是由現在開始,時時思維:我們的名譽、地位、權力、伴侶、兒女、父母、親戚朋友、美貌、智力、健康等等,都是無常的;他們可以隨時離開我們的
那麼當他們真的離開我們的時候,曾經培育的正念與智慧就會來資助我們,讓我們保持平靜快樂、不會難過了
Do we have insurance? We buy insurance to receive emergency funds in case of accidents, to cope with difficulties.
However, many a time, we only purchase worldly insurance and neglect to buy insurance for the heart.
What does it mean to buy insurance for the heart?
It means that from now on, we should constantly reflect: our reputation, status, power, partners, children, parents, relatives, friends, beauty, intelligence, health, and so on, are all impermanent; they can leave us at any time.
Therefore, when they do leave us, the mindfulness and wisdom we have cultivated will support us, allowing us to remain calm and happy, without feeling sad
我們修行,是為了得到快樂
佛陀教導我們布施,持戒和禪修
我們透過布施,幫助別人而去除自己的自私.為別人帶來快樂, 自己也快樂
我們透過持戒,有同理心,不傷害自己,不傷害別人. 從而擺脫了因為做錯事而生起的後悔. 保持快樂和平靜
我們透過禪修, 得到內心的平靜和自我的去除.
我們不斷培育布施,持戒和禪修,就會一步步體現更高的快樂
根據隆波帕默的教導,當一個人證悟第一階段的法時,他會洞見'我'並不存在.
頓時整個世界變輕鬆了. 我們一直死死呵護的'自我' 原來並不存在! 雖然還時時迷失,但煩惱開始變薄,快樂開始增長
隆波教導,當我們證得第二階段的法時,我們便會擁有快速自我覺知的正念, 煩惱進一步減輕
快樂增多了
當證悟第三階段的法時,隆波說,我們會放下對身體的執著,不會再有厚重的貪心,永不生氣 。
Por khao wanchart yimme 說,我們會發現自己變得很慈悲
心充滿著滋潤的快樂
當證悟第四階段的法時,隆波說,我們連心—這個覺知—也放下了, 我們整個世界也放下了,我們從所有的苦中解脫出來。
我們因此而得到最高的快樂。 無論這個世界發生什麼事,我們都一樣滿足,祥和,和快樂
when the mind is still, and we observe deeply
we will find an astonishing fact...
no matter it is oursleves or others, everyone is inherently selfish LOL
Everyone is grasping and craving for something to fill their void
Even we say love: we love our family, we love our friends, we love our partners
Observe carefully deep down, is this love selfless?
Oh no, we will discover that it is still based on self-centeredness.
We treat them as 'mine' , as our possessions. We want something in return.
However, selfishness is not a good thing. If being selfish is really that good, no one will try to come out of selfishness.
This selfishness is nothing but delulu---We mistakenly think that there is an 'I'
so we grasp something to feed this 'I'--this is greed
we push away something to protect this 'I'-- this is aversion
this sense of self brings numerous problems
it is synonymous with suffering, stress, depression, anxiety, insomia , immorality and corruption.
If the illusion of self is shattered, there is no longer any vessel for suffering; only bliss ,comfort, ease and peace reamining
That will be too cool lol
We could contemplate this,
Can we order our body to grow taller for 30cm immediately? is it controllable, really 'mine'?
this body arises due to combination of the sperm and egg of our parents; and it will perish within 100 years
what arise and fall , is it appropraite to call it a permanent entity 'I'?
Can we shut down this mind, this stream of consciousnesses immediately; stop being aware of the word? is it controllable, really 'mine'?
When we sleep, the active state of mind ceases, inactive state of mind arises. Vice versa when we wake up
what arise and fall , is it appropraite to call it a permanent entity 'I'?
This deep-rooted delulu is really hard to be shattered.
For real wisdom to arise, we need strong stillness to know and see things as they really are
For strong stillness to arise, we need strong foundation of precepts , in order word, self restraint and mindfulness.
Without precepts, stillness and wisdom; selflessness is only empty slogan,we are still wanting something deep down; and suffering will just strike us really hard.
當心定下來深入觀察時,我們會發現一個驚人的事實...
無論是自己或他人,每個人天生都是自私的😂。
人人都在抓取、渴求某些東西來填補內心的空虛。就連我們常說的「愛」——愛家人、愛朋友、愛伴侶,若仔細深究,這種愛真的無私嗎?噢不,我們會發現它依然以自我為中心:我們把他們視為「我的」資產,還期待著某些回報。
但自私並非好事。若自私真那麼好,就不會有人想擺脫自私了。
自私其實是癡迷——誤認為有一個「我」存在,
於是拼命抓取某些東西來餵養這個「我」(這就是貪),
又拼命推開可能威脅這個「我」的事物(這就是嗔)。
這種自我感正是諸多問題的根源,它是痛苦、壓力、憂鬱、焦慮、失眠、道德敗壞和腐敗的同義詞。
若能打破「我」的幻象,痛苦就失去了容器,剩下的唯有平靜、舒服與自在——那該有多酷啊!
我們不妨思考:
我們能命令身體立刻長高30cm嗎?它真是「可被掌控」且「我的」嗎?
這個身體由父母精卵結合而生、百年內必朽壞
會生滅的東西,配稱為永恆的「我」嗎?
我們能立刻關閉心--這個意識之流--停止感知世界嗎?它真是「可被掌控」且「我的」嗎?
睡著時活躍的意識之流熄滅,被不活躍的意識之流來代替
醒來時不活躍的意識之流熄滅,被活躍的意識之流來代替
這樣生滅變異的現象,配稱為永恆的「我」嗎?
這種根深蒂固的癡迷極難破除。
要生起真正的智慧,需藉由強大的定力如實觀照;
而要培養深厚定力,則需持戒的基礎——也就是自制與正念。
缺乏戒定慧,所謂「無私」只是空談,內心仍會暗自不斷渴求,痛苦終將重擊我們。
There are some parts of anatta which are very easy to practice and very helpful. Now, the idea of a self—who do you take yourself to be? But no, let's do one of the other aspects of anatta: not me, not mine, not a self. That middle one—not mine. What do you own? Why do people keep saying "my meditation," "my problem," "my experience"? Stop owning such things. We've got into the habit of that—you know, "my family," "my body."
This is not my body; it's just the body I happen to be in right now. I know many people were saying, "Look, you're getting fat—for health reasons, can't you actually get thinner?" And I said, "No, it's not my body. I don't own it. I don't have control over it. This is now heritage-listed, so I can change what's inside, but on the outside it must stay looking the same." I'm just having fun with you. (laugh)
But anyhow, the fact that you don't own things—what a wonderful thing that is. This is not my meditation retreat centre. You just build it, teach—I don't own it. I give all that responsibility right now to Robin; she's the manager. If you like something I say, you can come and praise me; any complaints, put it in her ear, okay?
Yes, the way bin anyway. So that's a nice thing—how little you own. So don't own anything. Do you own your past? Why do you call it "my past" then? You don't own it; it's just like a memory. If you own it, you have responsibilities. Do you own your future? No. How free can you be when you don't own things?
Anyway, (devotee says:) 'I listened to your talk "How to Be a Happy Little Hermit." '
Do I give a talk like that? I give so many talks—some weird talks, like "Buddhism and Bananas." That's one of my favourite talks. I really like that talk, Buddhism and Bananas.
It started off: when you have a banana, how do you eat the banana? Most people, when they peel the banana, peel it from the stalk—that's quite thick—and that's how they peel it. I just watch people at breakfast; that's how they peel bananas. That's wrong. Who are the experts on bananas? Monkeys. How do they peel bananas? It's from the other end, where the flower was. So follow the experts.
How many people go to these lay meditation teachers? Who are the experts on meditation? The monks and nuns. Don't say monkeys.
So that's one of my questions on bananas. And how, in the old days, did they catch monkeys? No, this—they were very smart, these farmers. They would just get a coconut, put a small hole in the top of it, drink out the liquid and maybe some of the white flesh of the coconut. They get a strong piece of string, tie it to a tree, put a banana in it, and leave it there overnight. They just go and take a rest, get some dinner.
In the morning—always happened—a monkey would find that banana, put their hand inside the coconut. Their fist was big enough to fit into the coconut; when the fist was holding a banana, it was too big—he couldn't get the banana and the fist out. And that's how they would catch the monkeys.
When the farmer came—just not rushing, just ambling towards that coconut—the monkey would see the farmer and start to panic and really try to pull that banana out. And he would never let it go. All the monkey needed to do was to let go of the banana and get his hand out—easy. Could the monkey let go? Why can't you let go of things? Because it's my banana. I found it. I own it. It's mine.
That "mine" got monkeys caught so often, and it gets you caught too. Let go. It's not mine. Let it go. Make sense?
So I gave a whole talk about bananas for, you know, 45 minutes. It makes it more interesting.
I gave the talk on "Buddhism and Coffins"—that's a very popular one. You heard one of the main stories in that last night anyway.
I didn't know "How to Be a Happy Little Hermit" from 14 years ago. I thought this would be insightful for you to share, given the importance of loving yourself with regards to our meditation practice.
I don't know what I said there, but to be a happy hermit is when you don't own anything—how can you ever fail? It's not yours. It's nice being a monk. Even though I work so hard—and many other monks work hard building this place—we don't own this growth, we don't own Bodhinyana Monastery. So if a big bushfire comes and it all burns down, will you be upset?
Oh, I just built it, that's all. I don't own it. Isn't that more easy to be able to let things go? If you can save it, fine; if you don't, fine.
---Ajahn Brahm
2024 March - April (9/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXQ7enorLVo&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=9
無我的某些部分,其實很容易實踐且大有裨益。現在,關於「我」的觀念——你認為自己是誰?不,我們先談談無我的另一個面向:不是我,不是我的,不是一個自我。中間那個——「不是我的」。你擁有什麼?為什麼人們總說「我的禪修」、「我的問題」、「我的經驗」?停止擁有這些東西。我們已經習慣了——你知道的,「我的家人」、「我的身體」。
這不是我的身體;它只是我此刻恰巧身處的身體。很多人曾對我說:「你看,你變胖了——出於健康考慮,你能不能瘦一點?」我回答:「不,這不是我的身體。我不擁有它。我無法控制它。它現在是受保護的古蹟了,所以我可以改變內在,但外在必須保持原樣。」我只是在開玩笑。(笑)
但無論如何,你不擁有事物——這是多麼美妙的事。這不是我的禪修中心。你只是建造它、教導——我不擁有它。我現在把責任全交給羅賓;她是經理。如果你喜歡我說的話,可以來讚美我;任何抱怨,跟她說去,好嗎?
對,就像那垃圾桶一樣。這真是件好事——你擁有的多麼少。所以不要擁有任何東西。你擁有你的過去嗎?那你為什麼稱之為「我的過去」?你並不擁有它;它只是一段記憶。如果你擁有它,你就有責任。你擁有你的未來嗎?沒有。當你不擁有事物時,你會多麼自由?
總之,(信徒說:)『我聽過你的開示《如何成為快樂的小隱士》。』
我有做過這樣的開示嗎?我做過很多開示——有些很奇特,像《佛教與香蕉》。那是我最喜歡的開示之一。我真的很喜歡那個開示,佛教與香蕉。
開頭是這樣的:當你有一根香蕉時,你怎麼吃它?大多數人剝香蕉時,從蒂頭那端剝起——那部分很厚——他們就是那樣剝。我觀察早餐時的人們;他們就是那樣剝香蕉的。那是錯的。誰是香蕉專家?猴子。牠們怎麼剝香蕉?從另一端,花朵原來的位置開始剝。所以要跟專家學。
有多少人去找這些在家居士禪修老師?誰是禪修專家?是比丘和比丘尼。別說是猴子。
這是我關於香蕉的提問之一。還有,古時候人們怎麼抓猴子?不,是這樣的——那些農夫非常聰明。他們會拿一顆椰子,在頂端開個小洞,喝掉裡面的汁液,可能還有一些白色的椰肉。他們拿一根結實的繩子,把它綁在樹上,再放一根香蕉進去,然後放一整夜。他們就去休息,吃晚餐了。
到了早上——總是這樣——猴子會發現那根香蕉,把手伸進椰子裡。牠們的拳頭剛好能塞進椰子;但當拳頭握住香蕉時,就太大了——牠無法把香蕉和拳頭一起拿出來。人們就是這樣抓到猴子的。
當農夫走來——不慌不忙,慢步走向椰子——猴子看到農夫,開始驚慌,拼命想把香蕉拉出來。牠永遠不會放手。猴子只需要做一件事:放開香蕉,把手抽出來——很容易。但猴子能放手嗎?為什麼你不能放下事物?因為這是「我的」香蕉。我找到的。我擁有它。它是我的。
這個「我的」常常讓猴子被抓住,也會讓你被困住。放手吧。這不是我的。放開它。有道理嗎?
所以我就這個話題,做了整整45分鐘關於香蕉的開示。你知道,這樣更有趣。
我還做過《佛教與棺材》的開示——那是很受歡迎的一個。反正昨晚你們已經聽到其中一個主要故事了。
我不知道14年前那個《如何成為快樂的小隱士》的內容。但考慮到在禪修中「愛自己」的重要性,我想分享這個會對你有啟發。
我不知道當時說了什麼,但要成為快樂的隱士,就是當你一無所有時——你怎麼可能失敗呢?那不是你的。做個比丘很好。儘管我非常努力工作——很多其他比丘也努力建造這個地方——我們不擁有這個成果,我們不擁有菩提精舍。所以,如果一場大火把它全燒了,你會難過嗎?
哦,我只是建造了它,僅此而已。我不擁有它。這樣放下事物是不是更容易?如果你能保住它,很好;如果不能,也很好。
---阿姜布拉姆
2024年3月-4月 (9/19) | 9日禪修 | 阿姜布拉姆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXQ7enorLVo&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=9
"Don't Take Everything Too Seriously"
Ajahn Golf often says: "Life is just like a play; there’s no need to take it too seriously, no need to be too sad, and no need to care too much about it."
Why is it like a play? Because we have no choice over what the next scene will be.
In one moment, we may be in a beautiful scene,
and the next moment, it can immediately turn into a tragic scene.
It is constantly changing and cannot be maintained.
The actors know they are performing, so once the show is over, they wrap up.
Everyone may be enemies on stage, but after the show, they laugh and eat together.
If someone is watching the play, clenching their fists and gritting their teeth; feeling sad and pained; desperately wanting this character to behave this way or that, what do you think?
Isn’t it foolish?
Since life is like a play, to avoid hurting ourselves , we shouldn’t get too caught up in it and shouldn’t let emotions take over.
Family? Be responsible but don’t take it too seriously, don’t cling.
Work? Be responsible but don’t take it too seriously, don’t cling.
If things don’t work out or you can’t get what you want, just let it be—it’s just a play. Just see what unfolds next; respond with a calm and wise heart.
Lost everything? Just let it be—it’s just a play. Just see what unfolds next; respond with a calm and wise heart.
Encountering many unfortunate things? Just let it be—it’s just a play. Just see what unfolds next; respond with a calm and wise heart.
Facing death? Okay, the play is over, just smile and leave~
《凡事不要太過認真》
Ajahn Golf 常說:【人生就好像一部戲而已,不需要太過認真,不用太過傷心,不需要太在乎它】
為什麼是一場戲? 因為我們根本沒得選擇下一個出現的情景是怎樣的。
這一刻還在美好的場景
下一刻就立即轉換為悲慘的場景
不斷在變化, 不能被維持
演員們都知道是在演戲,所以從來演完戲就收工~
大家在幕前是敵人, 放工後就嘻嘻哈哈一起吃飯
而如果有人在看戲時握緊拳頭,咬牙切齒;悲傷心痛; 貪求這個角色要這樣那樣。大家覺得怎樣?
是否很傻?
既然人生如戲,為免傷身傷心,就不要迷了進去,不要起情緒。
家庭? 盡責但不要太認真,不要執著
工作?盡責但不要太認真,不要執著
做不到、求不得就算囖~看戲而已嘛,就看它下一步顯現什麼出來;我們以冷靜智慧的心去應對看戲
失去一切?算囖~看戲而已嘛,就看它下一步顯現什麼出來;我們以冷靜智慧的心去應對看戲
碰到許多不好的事情?算囖~看戲而已嘛,就看它下一步顯現什麼出來;我們以冷靜智慧的心去應對看戲
要死? Ok , 看完戲了,拍拍屁股走人了~
香港著名藝人森美大哥其實說得一點都沒錯
當我們不開心時,我們做什麼都不開心
當我們開心,做什麼都開心
當我們心有禪定時,Ajahn Brahm 形容連屎都是漂亮的😂
我們會看到平時看不到的紋理、線條
Ajahn Brahm 說:‘你們有多少人看過美麗的竹地板?如果你在一次美好的禪修後出來,看看那竹地板——哇,它比你所能想像的還要美’
也說:‘我記得在泰國瓦巴那查寺的雨安居期間,因為正值雨季,大雨傾盆,我在大殿裡行禪。當我在大殿裡行禪時,地板只是裸露的水泥——那裡不需要任何其他東西。我看著它;那是村民鋪的。建這個大殿時我就在那裡。當村民在平整水泥時,如果需要加點水,他們會踩踏一下,所以它呈現出各種不同的顏色,而且也不是完全平坦——足夠平,但有一點點輪廓。我已經在那上面走了好幾天,實際上好幾年了(當然不是一直)。但當你進入良好的禪修狀態,正念變得非常強大時,你看著它,我不得不停下來。我記得當時就看著這片水泥,覺得這是我見過最美的一片水泥——深色水泥、淺色水泥的所有不同色調(我本想說不同深淺的灰色,但顯然有人告訴我不要這麼說,因為那好像是某本不正經的書或什麼的)。但總之,你看到了它的美。我那時真的想過——那是很久以前的事了——真的想拿電鋸把這一小塊切下來,送到泰特美術館。它真的非常美,但這美不在水泥裡;而是我的心清明所產生的效果,你能夠看到它。有那麼多的喜(pīti)、樂(sukha)、愉悅和幸福湧現。這實際上就是這些現象運作的方式。’
所以我們都該多修禪定。當我們內心有禪定時,我們真的做什麼都開心了!!😃😃😃
Hong Kong's famous artist, Brother Sammy, actually hit the nail on the head.
When we’re unhappy, nothing we do brings joy.
When we’re happy, everything we do feels joyful.
When our minds are steeped in meditation, as Ajahn Brahm describes it, even feces can look beautiful 😂.
We start noticing textures and patterns we usually overlook.
Ajahn Brahm once said, “how many of you have seen the beautiful bamboo flooring? If you come out of a nice meditation and look at that bamboo flooring—wow, it's more beautiful than you could ever imagine. These things kind of shocked me at first when they started to happen.”
He also shared: “I remember doing walking meditation in Wat Pah Nanachat in Thailand during the rains retreat, in the hall because it was just pouring down with rain (monsoon season). As I was doing walking meditation in the hall, the floor was just bare concrete—you didn't need anything else there. I was looking; it was laid by the villagers. I was there when the villagers were building this hall. When they're leveling the concrete, if it needed a bit of extra water, they'd sort of tread it, so it had all these different colors, and it also wasn't completely flat—it was flat enough, but with a little bit of contour. I'd been walking on that for days, over years actually (not all the time, obviously). But then when you get into a nice meditation and your mindfulness gets really strong, you look at that, and I had to stop. I remember just looking at this piece of concrete and figuring that this was the most beautiful piece of concrete I'd ever seen—all the different shades of dark concrete, light concrete (I was going to say different shades of gray, but apparently people told me not to say that because it's a naughty book or something). But anyway, you saw the beauty of it. I really thought at the time—this was such a long time ago—about actually getting an electric saw, cutting this little piece out, and sending it to the Tate Gallery. It really was beautiful, but it wasn't in the concrete; it was an effect that my mind was clear, and you could see it. There was just so much *pīti*, *sukha*, joy, and happiness coming up. That's actually how these things work..”
So we should all practice meditation more. When our minds are grounded in stillness, we truly find joy in everything we do!! 😃😃😃
Devotee: How can we serve without getting tired?
Ajahn Brahm: By getting inspired.
Look, I remember going back to the Buddhist Fellowship. I remember years and years ago that I think Angie was organizing these concerts, trying to find unique ways of presenting the Dhamma. So she had this little show—where was it held? The first show was at Victoria Concert Hall. There was a matinee in the afternoon and an evening show as well.
I arrived to actually give a Friday night talk in Nekon Maru, get up at 3:00 a.m., just shower, get to the airport and leave at 4:00, then get on the early morning flight, arrive in Singapore just before midday, and then go straight to the theater and find out what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. I didn't really know what I was up to. They said, “You don't have to worry, you don't have to learn any script. There comes a time in this kind of show where one of the actors says, ‘Yes, I had real trouble with my relationship until I read this book called Opening the Door of Your Heart by this amazing author Ajahn Brahm,’” and that was my cue to come on the stage. Okay, it was kitschy, but I don't mind. Then I just spoke a little bit about no problems in life and how to solve them. That's kind of fun to do something interesting I've never done before.
But then after that, it went down okay, then the whole cast and everybody went off for dinner. I don't eat dinner, and I was exhausted. I don't know if you remember that—so exhausted. I said, “Look, leave me alone. I'm just going to find a nice quiet place in the theater and meditate.” And that's actually how I get rid of tiredness.
I found one of the exits was actually closed, so it was like going down there—no one was going to be disturbing me. It was like being in a cave; it was really nice. I sat down and meditated for an hour. When I came out of that meditation, I had full energy, no tiredness at all.
That's how often, when I've really been put on the spot and you are exhausted—you're tired, you know, I'm a human being, I get exhausted too—that's how I energize myself. When you know how to do that, it's much better than coffee. You can actually get the energy from inside. It's really happy energy, sharp energy, and really fantastic.
So if you want to serve big time, see if you can find some time during the middle of the day—morning or afternoon—just 10 or 15 minutes. Sit down and really get yourself still. All the energy comes back, okay, to carry on with this.
The other simile which I often give to show how powerful this is was when I did my final exams at university. In those days it was crazy—the whole of your university career was down to a series of final exams. Everything else you did for those last three years in university life in the UK counted for nothing. Everything was down to the series of finals. In theoretical physics it was a 3-hour exam in the morning, hour for lunch, another 3-hour paper in the afternoon—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Today that would be intense; I don't think they could do that these days—it's against human rights and all psychological torture.
The problem was I didn't know at the time that I was destined to be a monk, otherwise I wouldn't have worried so much. But imagine doing a 3-hour paper on quantum physics in the morning—you're exhausted. So I went back to my room. I never had any lunch—I had a big breakfast in the morning, I was going to have dinner in the evening (I wasn't on eight precepts as a student)—but lunchtime I went back to my room and I meditated for half an hour. I actually did that. It was amazing, just what a smart thing to do.
When I sat down to meditate, I closed my eyes, made myself comfortable. The first thing which came into my mind was the morning exam: Did I answer that question correctly? Did I have enough explanation? What a waste of time—thoughts like that are. The paper's already been submitted; you can't change it now. It's done. Why worry about the past? And especially, you had another paper in astrophysics of the galaxy in the afternoon. I thought, my goodness—when I started thinking of the afternoon exam, I let go of the morning exam. Should I get up my books and do some revision? But when I was a school teacher I advised people: never do last-minute revision, because whatever you look up before the exam never ever comes up in the exam. Never. It's a total waste of time.
Also, I realized I was tired. I didn't want to waste my energy; I needed to recharge. So I let go of the future exam. You know what this is—it's meditation: let go of the past, let go of the future. Then I was in the present moment. And that's when it shocked me at that time—I was shaking. It's nervous; the final exams are really important. I never knew that before—there's so much in your body you don't know what's happening. I don't usually shake; I'm not usually that nervous, but I had good reason to be nervous. When I saw myself shaking, it wasn't that hard to actually be aware of my body and quieten it down. The shaking stopped, so my body was still; it could actually just regenerate its energies.
The last thing which I noticed every day at lunchtime when I was doing these exams—again it surprised me—was how exhausted my brain was. It's hard to get similes, but I remember when I wrote about this in one of my books, I said it's like—for those of you who like English tea—you have a tea bag that's already been used; it's got no oomph in it anymore. You should use a new tea bag instead of just trying to get some more caffeine out of the old tea bag—it's all been used up. That's how my brain felt: exhausted, tired, no energy. But then all you did was just be still and be kind to that exhausted brain, and you feel all the energy coming back up again—just like sitting in that quiet alcove in Victoria Theatre in Singapore. All the energy starts coming back up again.
It was only half an hour meditation, not that long, but when I went into the afternoon examination, oh, I was energized—but really good energy, not like caffeine energy, still shaking and just worrying like anything. Focused energy.
That's the one thing I remember: the people, my friends who were doing the same exams in the afternoon, they thought I was cheating. They never told me at the time, but every afternoon I was the only student who would go into the afternoon exam room smiling. How can you be smiling in such an important exam? They thought you must be cheating. I kind of was, but in a legitimate way—I knew how to just generate energy in my mind.
So that's how you can do anything in this world without getting so tired and just give yourself energy to do stuff.
A couple of years ago there was one of my friends—I deliberately try to make efforts to get to know people of other religions, especially leaders—and one of those leaders here in Perth was Moshe Bernstein. He was a rabbi, and he's a bit of an extreme rabbi—he's not well respected by the usual rabbis; he's a bit left of centre. But what I really liked about him, when I first started talking to him, I said, “You know, we Buddhists believe in rebirth,” and he said, “So do I.” I never knew that Jewish religion believed in rebirth. I remember asking one of the other senior rabbis here in Perth, “Oh no, no, we don't believe in rebirth. Rabbi Bernstein is a bit of a troublemaker.” That's what I got to like him.
Anyway, somehow or other he got a job as a chaplain in Carmel School in Dianella here—that's a Jewish school. He said they were looking really, really badly prepared for the Year 12 exams—university entrance. “Can I come and help?” So I went there and just talked to the Year 12s during the exams, and I'm telling them the same simile which I just gave to you about learning how to meditate: let go of the past, let go of the future, be aware of your body, relax it, re-energize your mind.
I got this beautiful letter back from the principal a few weeks later: that year Carmel School won the prize for the top high school Year 12 exams in the whole of Western Australia. It worked.
So why can't the Buddhist Fellowship have all these kids coming and getting the best scores in all the exams in the whole of Singapore, or in Vietnam, or in Bangladesh—the very best scores? Why not? You can use your meditation to actually know how to use your mind, and you don't get tired and exhausted. You can learn how to empower the mind.
2024 March - April (7/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7r4y6VlC8&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=7
信徒:我們如何能服務他人而不感到疲倦?
阿姜·布拉姆:靠獲得鼓舞。
聽著,我記得回到佛教聯誼會的時候。很多很多年前,我記得好像是Angie在組織這些音樂會,她試圖找出獨特的方式來呈現佛法。所以她辦了一個小演出——第一次是在哪裡舉行的?在維多利亞音樂廳。有下午的日場和晚上的夜場。
我其實是去Nekon Maru做週五晚間開示的,凌晨3點起床,簡單沖個澡,4點到機場,搭早班飛機,接近中午時抵達新加坡,然後直接去劇場,看看自己到底該做什麼。我真的不知道自己在幹什麼。他們說:「你不用擔心,不用背任何劇本。在這場演出中,會有一個時刻,一位演員說:『是的,我的情感關係曾經遇到很大困難,直到我讀了這本書——《開啟心門》,作者是了不起的阿姜·布拉姆,那就是你上台的提示。」好吧,有點俗氣,但我不在意。然後我就簡單講了一下人生的問題,以及如何解決問題。做一些以前從沒做過的有趣事情,挺開心的。
之後演出還算順利,全體演員和大家就去吃晚餐。我不吃晚餐,而且我累極了。你們不知道有沒有記得——真的非常累。我說:「不用打擾我,我要找個劇場裡安靜的地方打坐。」這其實就是我消除疲倦的方法。
我發現有一個出口被封了,我就走下去——不會有人來打擾我。就像走進一個山洞一樣,非常舒服。我坐下來打坐了一小時。從那次禪修出來後,我充滿活力,一點疲倦都沒有。
這就是我常在壓力很大、精疲力盡的時候——你累了,你知道,我也是人,我也會累——用來重新充能的方法。當你懂得怎麼做,這比喝咖啡好太多了。你可以從內在獲得能量。那是真正快樂的能量、敏銳的能量,非常棒。
所以,如果你想大規模地服務他人,試著在一天當中——早上或下午——找10到15分鐘的時間,坐下來,讓自己真正安靜下來。所有的能量就會回來了,這樣你就能繼續下去。
我經常用另一個比喻來說明這有多強大,那就是我大學期末考試的時候。那個年代很瘋狂——整個大學生涯就取決於一系列的期末考試。你在英國大學最後三年做的所有其他事情都不算數,全看這一系列的期末考。在理論物理系,是早上三小時考試,中午一小時吃飯,下午再三小時考卷——從星期一到星期六。如今這強度太高了,我覺得現在不會允許這樣做,違反人權、心理折磨。
問題是那時我還不知道自己註定要當和尚,不然我就不會那麼擔心了。想像一下,早上考了三小時量子物理——你已經累壞了。所以我回到房間。我中午不吃午餐——早上吃大早餐,晚上才吃晚餐(當學生時我還沒持八戒)——但午餐時間我回房間打坐半小時。我真的這麼做了。太聰明了,實在是明智之舉。
坐下打坐時,我閉上眼睛,讓自己舒服一點。第一個浮現的想法就是早上的考試:那題我答對了嗎?解釋夠不夠?這種想法真是浪費時間——考卷已經交了,現在改不了了。已經結束了,何必擔心過去?更何況下午還有銀河天體物理的考試。我心想,天啊——一想到下午的考試,我就放下了早上的考試。要不要拿起書來複習一下?但我當老師時就建議學生:千萬不要考前臨時抱佛腳,因為你臨時看的東西絕對不會出現在考卷上。絕對不會。完全浪費時間。
我也意識到自己累了,不想浪費能量,我需要充電。所以我放下未來的考試。你知道這是什麼——這就是禪修:放下過去,放下未來。然後我就安住於當下。那一刻讓我震驚——我全身在發抖。緊張啊,期末考試真的很重要。我以前從不知道——身體裡有那麼多你不知道正在發生的事。我平常不會發抖,也不常那麼緊張,但那次有充分理由緊張。當我察覺自己在發抖時,要覺知身體、讓它平靜下來其實並不難。抖動停了,身體安靜下來,就能重新產生能量。
每天午餐時間打坐時,我注意到的最後一件事——再次讓我驚訝——是大腦有多疲憊。很難找到合適的比喻,但我記得在書裡寫過:對喜歡喝英式紅茶的人來說,就像用過的茶包,已經沒有味道了。你應該換一個新茶包,而不是硬要從舊茶包再榨出一點咖啡因——都榨乾了。我的大腦就是這種感覺:疲憊、沒力、沒能量。但只要安靜下來,對那疲憊的大腦慈悲一點,你就會感覺能量又回來了——就像坐在新加坡維多利亞劇場那個安靜的角落一樣,所有能量又開始湧現。
只是半小時禪修,不算長,但我走進下午考場時,哇,我充滿活力——是真正的好能量,不是咖啡因那種還在發抖、胡思亂想的能量,而是專注的能量。
我記得一件事:下午考試時,我的朋友們都覺得我在作弊。他們當時沒告訴我,但每天下午只有我一個學生是笑著走進考場的。在這麼重要的考試裡怎麼還能笑?他們覺得我一定在作弊。我確實有點像,但那是合法的——我知道如何在心裡產生能量。
這就是你如何能在世間做任何事而不那麼容易疲倦,並且給自己能量去完成事情的方法。
幾年前,我有一位朋友——我刻意努力去認識其他宗教的人,尤其是領袖——珀斯這裡有一位叫Moshe Bernstein的拉比,他有點極端,不太被主流拉比尊重,有點左傾。但我第一次跟他聊天時我很喜歡他,我說:「你知道,我們佛教徒相信輪迴。」他說:「我也是。」我從不知道猶太教也相信輪迴。我記得問過珀斯另一位資深拉比,他說:「哦不不,我們不相信輪迴。Bernstein拉比有點搗亂。」這反而讓我更喜歡他。
反正他後來在Dianella的Carmel學校——一所猶太學校——當了校牧。他說學生們對12年級考試(大學入學考)準備得非常差。「我可以去幫忙嗎?」所以我去了,在考試期間跟12年級學生講話,講的就是剛才我跟你們說的同樣比喻:學習禪修,放下過去、放下未來,覺知身體、放鬆它,重新為心充電。
幾週後我收到校長一封很棒的信:那一年Carmel學校拿下了整個西澳大利亞州高中12年級考試的第一名。真的有效。
所以,為什麼佛教聯誼會不能讓孩子們來這裡,拿到新加坡、越南或孟加拉全國考試的最好成績呢?為什麼不行?你可以用禪修來真正懂得如何運用你的心,你不會那麼容易疲倦和耗盡。你可以學習如何賦予心力量。
2024年3-4月(7/19)|9天禪修營|阿姜·布拉姆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7r4y6VlC8&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=7
試想像,我們吃下薄荷糖
吃完真的很涼爽
修習禪定是什麼感覺的?
就好像我們的心吃下薄荷糖
同樣感覺😀👍
Imagine eating a mint candy—
it leaves you feeling so refreshingly cool.
What does practicing meditation feel like?
It’s just like our mind tasting that mint candy—
the same refreshing sensation! 😀👍
These two little cuties cuddle warmly together.
But as long as they know and can accept that :they will eventually separate, and that for each moment there is always a chance for separation,
they can cherish and respect each other more.
At the same time, they live without attachment, worry, or troubles. When the day of parting comes, they can both remain calm.
這兩隻小可愛溫馨地依偎在一起
但只要他們知道並能接受:他們兩人終究會分離,隨時都有機會分離
他們便更能珍惜尊重彼此,同時不執著,少憂惱,沒煩惱地過活
到離去那天,他們都能保持平靜
《Benefit of meditation: Make you bright and happy》
But of course meditation gets much deeper than that; the more you go onto that path, the energy goes more and more to the knowing, until you get incredibly bright and happy . And you become centered. When you become happy, you don’t want to move. All move because of discontent.
Move the body because you are unpleasant.
You move your house because you don’t want to be here, you want to be somewhere else.
When you’re really happy, you become very still. The more still you are, the more happy you become. What happens is that your mind becomes really still, and goes inside itself. It’s the part of meditation.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:讓你變得明亮和快樂》
但當然,禪修的深度遠不止於此;你越是走在這條路上,能量就越多地流向這個‘知道’,直到你變得無比明亮和快樂。你開始變得集中。當你快樂時,你不想移動。一切的移動都是因為不滿足。
因為感覺不愉快而移動身體。
你移動你的房子,因為你不想待在這裡,你想去別的地方。
當你真的快樂時,你會變得非常靜止。你越靜止,越快樂。
發生的事情是你的心變得非常靜止,並走向內在。這就是禪修的一部分。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
更多關於阿姜布拉姆的資訊
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
照片來源:所有者
What is life?
It's like playing Mario Kart for the first time at a friend's house.
If it's boring and there's nothing to do, let's just play together.
Oh, the road ahead makes us need to turn left , so let's turn left!
The road ahead symbolizes the unknown external circumstances that we've finally encountered.
As we successfully turn left on that road, it metaphorically represents facing challenges with mindfulness and wisdom, without greed, hatred, or delusion, and without being swayed by emotions.
If we don't know how to navigate, and even though the road tells us to turn left, we turn right instead, we end up crashing. This is akin to encountering external circumstances with greed, hatred, and ignorance, harming ourselves and others in the process. What happens? We hit the wall! (laugh)
We're not here to gamble or anything; we just want to have fun together. So once we’re done playing, we completely let it go.
This is metaphorically like coming to this world; we come and go on our own. In reality, everything is just temporarily here; we can't hold on to or control anything. We maintain a cool and joyful approach to playing, and when we're done, we let it go.
人生是什麼?
就像去朋友家中第一次玩瑪利歐賽車
無聊沒東西做,那就一起玩下囖
誒,前面要我們轉左哦,那就轉左囖。
前面的路就比喻為未知的外境終於來到了
我們順著那條路成功轉左,就好比喻為我們以正念和智慧,不起貪嗔癡,不起情緒的成功面對
如果我們不知道怎樣操作,明明條路叫我們轉左,但我們卻轉右,那就撞到囖。 這好比喻為我們遇到外境時起了貪嗔癡,傷害自己又傷害別人地面對。那會怎樣?碰壁囖!(笑)
我們又不是要用來賭博還是什麼,只是大家開心一起玩而已。所以玩完就完全放下了
那就好比喻為,我們來到這個世界,自己來自己走,其實所有東西都是暫時停留而已,我們根本留不住控制不了。我們保持清涼快樂地玩,玩完就放下了~
<<認真您便輸了>>
有些人看戲, 看到心迷了進去。
例如看到佛地魔要害Harry Potter , 心裡很不滿意。看完戲就人肉搜尋演佛地魔的人是誰, 要咀咒他一下
大家覺得怎樣?(笑)
是否覺得過火了?
人們只是照著劇本演戲, 就要給您咀咒(笑)
人生其實就是在演戲。 不過不是演那些老早就寫好劇本的長戲 。
比較像是每天都播的那些生活連續劇。 劇本要日子來到才寫, 日子來到才演。
大自然的條件來到我們才會演,
才會想, 才會說, 才會做。
不只是您在演, 所有人都在演, 沒有一個自我在。
別人對您演好戲, 您執著貪戀就傻了
別人對您演不好的戲, 您傷心生氣就傻了
所有人只是按住大自然臨時的劇本來演
不是固定的, 而是在演即興的戲。
戲還是要演好,責任還是要顧好。
但您認真? 就輸了
**"If you take it seriously, you've already lost."**
Some people watch a show and get so engrossed that they lose themselves in it. For example, when they see Voldemort trying to harm Harry Potter, they feel very dissatisfied. After watching, they might search for the actor who played Voldemort to curse him a little.
What does everyone think? (laugh) Do you think that's over the top?
People are just acting according to the script, yet you want to curse them (laugh).
Life is actually like acting. But it’s not like those long scripts written long ago. It resembles the daily soap operas where the script is written as life unfolds, and the acting happens as life happens. We only act when nature's conditions reach us; that’s when we think, speak, and do.
It’s not just you acting; everyone is acting, and there’s no self in it.
When others put on a good show for you, if you cling to it, you are foolish.
When others perform poorly for you, if you get sad or angry, you are also foolish.
Everyone is simply following nature's temporary script to act. It’s not fixed; it’s improvised.
The show still needs to be performed well, and responsibilities still need to be taken care of. But if you take it seriously, You’ve already lost.
一般人真是可憐
上班等下班
星期一等星期六來
工作和學習時感到沮喪,期盼時間一過就能談戀愛、和朋友聚會、打遊戲機、去旅行
但真的去做到所期盼的事情,快樂一會兒後,又感到沉悶煩躁
回到工作崗位上,又感到沮喪
不斷重複這個痛苦循環
如果是佛教徒,他們因為內心有定力,所以無論做什麼都感到清涼快樂
他們就好像24小時都那麼快樂那樣,不用透過談戀愛、和朋友聚會、打遊戲機、去旅行來取得快樂
然而,禪定的快樂也是無常的
如果是大師父,他們就永久都保持清涼快樂,不用再做些什麼。因為涅槃是永久的最高極樂..
**Ordinary People Are Truly Pitiable**
The average person's life is a cycle of suffering:
- At work, they count down the hours until quitting time.
- On Monday, they long for Saturday to arrive.
- While working or studying, they feel depressed—only to crave fleeting pleasures like romance, hanging out with friends, gaming, or traveling.
Yet when they finally obtain these longed-for pleasures, the happiness fades quickly, leaving them restless and dissatisfied again.
Then they return to work... only to feel depressed once more.
And so the painful cycle repeats endlessly.
**But for Buddhists, it's different.**
Because they've developed inner stillness (*samādhi*), they experience **a cool, enduring joy in whatever they do**.
They seem happy **24 hours a day**—without needing romance, socializing, gaming, or travel to feel fulfilled.
Though, even this meditative bliss is impermanent.
**As for the great masters?**
They abide in **permanent, effortless bliss**—because Nibbāna is **the ultimate, everlasting happiness**.
一般人的心是空虛的,極度需要感官欲樂--好看的影像、好聽的聲音、好嗅的氣味、好嘗的味道、好摸的觸感、財富、名譽、地位、權力、異性、親戚朋友--來填滿內心
一旦失去了這些,就感到整顆心被掏空了
但修行人、大師父的心是不空虛的,因為他們已經有禪定之樂,涅槃之樂來填滿自心,始終保持快樂滿足
當好看的影像、好聽的聲音、好嗅的氣味、好嘗的味道、好摸的觸感來衝擊感官時,他們不會執著,不會仰賴它們來取得快樂
因此當失去感官欲樂時,他們的心不會被掏空
所以禪修多好?
An ordinary person’s mind is empty—desperately craving sensory pleasures to fill the void: beautiful sights, pleasant sounds, fragrant scents, delicious tastes, soothing touches, wealth, fame, status, power, romantic partners, friends, and family.
When these things are lost, the heart feels hollow, as if everything has been ripped away.
But the minds of serious practitioners and great masters are never empty. They are already filled with the joy of stillness (samādhi) and the bliss of nibanna , abiding in contentment at all times.
When pleasant sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches arise, they do not cling to them or depend on them for happiness.
So when sensory pleasures fade, their hearts remain unshaken.
Isn’t meditation wonderful?
佛法就是一個字:爽
有佛法的人,心會爽到爆炸,好像開冷氣般涼爽
Buddhism is all about one word: cool
Those who embrace the Dharma will feel their hearts explode with joy and coolness, as refreshing as an air conditioner's turned on
Young people often say they feel "Dry"—what exactly does that mean?
Oh~ it turns out they mean they feel dull and boring, like life has lost its freshness.
But in reality, it's not life that's Dry—it's our minds that are Dry .
Hong Kong celebrity Sammy Leung once said, *"If we're happy, everything we do feels fun; if we're depressed, nothing feels enjoyable."*
And he’s absolutely right.
So what to do when feeling Dry? **Moisturize the mind!**
How to moisturize the mind? **Just practice meditation~**
The ancient commentaries often mention some practitioners doing *"dry insight practice"*—dry in what way? **Dry in stillness!** Meaning they develop wisdom without deep absorption (jhāna).
But if our minds are moistened with meditative joy—even if we haven’t reached full jhāna—oh~ everything we do becomes enjoyable ~
Whether life is mundane or miserable, we can always find fun and happiness in it.
年輕人常說自己很 Dry,究竟是什麼意思?
哦~原來是指自己很枯燥乏味,生活沒有新鮮感
實際上不是生活Dry ,是我們的心 Dry😂
香港名嘴森美大哥曾說,如果我們開心呢,做什麼都開心;如果我們抑鬱呢,就做什麼都不開心
這是有道理的
那麼Dry 怎麼辦? 讓心滋潤
怎樣讓心滋潤? 修習禪定就行咯~
義註常說一些修行人做‘’乾觀行者‘’,其實是“dry 觀行者😂” 乾於什麼? 乾於禪定!即缺少禪那而開發智慧的修行人
假如我們心有禪悅的滋潤,就算未到禪那的程度, 噢~我們已經做甚麼都開心
無論生活是平淡還是悲慘,我們都能從中找到趣味和歡樂
"Dharma practice has no drawbacks—only benefits.
The mind becomes clear and radiant.
Whether standing, walking, sitting, or lying down,
there's only happiness—no suffering.
You'll move through any society with courage.
When meditation bears fruit in stillness,
all hesitation and laziness vanish—
in both worldly and spiritual work.
Then arises wisdom as your strength.
When wisdom emerges and is applied skillfully,
you'll succeed in worldly studies
and spiritual practice alike.
This is why the Buddha taught us
to cultivate, from the very beginning:
Morality (Sīla) - the foundation for...
stillness (Samādhi) - which supports...
Wisdom (Paññā)
All three—precepts, stillness, wisdom—
lead to liberation (vimutti),
the ultimate freedom..."
「修行佛法,有百利而無一害。
心會變得清明透徹,
無論行住坐臥,
只有安樂,沒有痛苦。
處世待人皆能無畏。
當禪定成就時,
猶豫懈怠盡消——
於世間事、修行事皆然。
繼而生起智慧之力。
當智慧現前並善用時,
世間學業能成,
出世修行亦能成。
因此佛陀教導我們
從根本開始培養:
戒律——奠定...
禪定——培育...
智慧
戒、定、慧三者,
皆通向解脫,
終極的自在...」
— Teachings of Luang Pu Khao Anālayo
Wat Tham Klang Phlae, Mueang District, Nong Bua Lamphu
cred. to Ajahn Golf 阿贊高爾夫 อาจารย์กอล์ฟ
這隻貓之所以看似那麼幸福,是因為他有禪定
享受完感官欲樂後,例如好看的影像、好聽的聲音、好嗅的香味、好嚐的味道、好摸的觸感
就算是動物都會有滿足感。 這種滿足感就是禪定的狀態
然而,它一閃即逝
作為人類,我們比貓貓的福氣大上無數倍
為什麼? 因為我們可以直接修習禪定
整天維持在滿足和幸福的狀態
The reason this cat appears so blissful is because it experiences stillness
After enjoying sensory pleasures—beautiful sights, pleasant sounds, fragrant scents, delicious tastes, or soothing textures—
even animals can feel a sense of contentment. This fleeting satisfaction is stillness
Yet, it vanishes in an instant.
As humans, our blessing surpasses that of cats immeasurably.
Why? Because we can cultivate stillness directly,
sustaining a state of lasting contentment and joy throughout our lives.
<Are the smart people we think truly smart?>
Most people believe that those skilled at seeking personal gain, even through unscrupulous means, are smart.
Oh, it’s time to correct this notion.
Madly pursuing things for one's heart is actually foolish.
Imagine our heart is like our palm.
If we place a small piece of gold on it, we can still hold it.
But what if we put a ton of gold on it? Oh, it should break immediately, right?
Even with a small piece of gold, let’s try not to hold it for a while. One hour? Two hours? our hand would go numb.
If our hearts are occupied by trivial matters, that’s a bit foolish because it brings unease and pressure.
If our hearts are occupied by the whole world, oh, isn’t that being a big fool? We will get extremely nervous and unhappy!
If we hurt ourselves or others in pursuit of gain, that’s even more foolish. Here are some unavoidable consequences:
1.Being criticized by the wise.
2.We will have a poor reputation.
3.We will lack confidence in front of the public.
4.We will be punished.
5.We might be fined and lose a large amount of money.
6.Due to poor mindfulness, we fail to see what should or shouldn’t be done, resulting in significant financial loss.
7.We may be deprived of certain rights.
8.When others discuss misdeeds, we may remember our own past actions and panic, wondering if they are talking about us.
9.When others are punished, we fear that we might also be punished soon.
10.Often regretting and feeling unsettled.
Oh, isn’t that being a big fool?
<我們所想的聰明是否真的聰明?>
一般人都會覺得, 精於為自己找來利益的人,就算是不擇手段,也是聰明的
噢,是時候糾正自己的觀念了
把東西瘋狂拿來給自心的人實際上是蠢人
想像一下,我們的心是我們的手掌. 假如我放一塊小金上去,還拿得起. 假如我放一噸黃金上去,會怎樣? 噢,應該立刻斷了,對嗎? 就算是小金塊, 我們試試不要放? 一個小時?兩個小時? 手都麻痺了
如果心中被一些小事佔據,那就一點點愚蠢, 因為心中會有一點不安和壓力
如果心被全世界所佔據,噢,那還不是大傻瓜? 心必然會極度緊張,患得患失
如果因為想獲得利益而傷害自己,傷害別人,那就更蠢. 以下這些走不掉的:
1.給智者指責
2.我們會有不良好的聲譽
3.我們面對大眾會沒有自信
4.我們會被懲罰
5.可能會被罰款而失去大量金錢
6.因為正念不好,看不清什麼應該做,什麼不該做,因此而遭受大量財富損失
7.可能被剝奪一些權利(Ud.76)
8.當別人討論一些惡行時,我們便會想起自己也有做過這些行為,心慌意亂懷疑他們是否在說自己呢?
9.當別人被懲罰時,也會害怕自己是否也很快會被懲罰? (MN129)
10.常常後悔,心裡不安
噢,這還不是大蠢人?
當我們內心被貪嗔癡所佔據時,我們是沒有理智的
我們問自己:自己正在做的這件事,有什麼用? 答不出。。。。
我們正在做的這件事,利益到自己和別人嗎? 不能。。。。
同樣地,自己正在說的這句話,有什麼用? 答不出。。。。
我們正在說的這句話,利益到自己和別人嗎? 不能。。。。
自己正在想的這個念頭,有什麼用? 答不出。。。。
我們正在想的這個念頭,利益到自己和別人嗎? 不能。。。。
根本就是渾渾噩噩的狀態
當貪嗔癡厚重的時候,就會生起許多不理性的臆測。
我們會相信情緒多過邏輯
就算看似有理有由,也是歪理當真理,只能愚弄愚者,無法愚弄智者
總會有扭曲的見解、 扭曲的認知、 扭曲的想法
我們所作的決定,也是沒理沒由的
一被人挑戰,也就啞口無言
別人:為什麼要這樣做?
我們:總之就要這樣做!
別人:為什麼要信這個?
我們:總之就要信!
別人:為什麼這樣對?
我們:總之這就是對!
別人:為什麼你說他沒有智慧?
我們:總之就是沒有智慧!
😂 😂
這樣的人怎樣可以服眾?
所以中國有句話說:清者貴‘
內心清淨的人智慧能夠彰顯出來,能夠知道自己和他人的利益(AN1.46),
他們做事有理有由,理據充分,合情合理,所以做事有自信,就算被人挑戰也不會顫抖
因此能夠服眾,得到別人的支持
When our minds are occupied by greed, hatred, and delusion, we lose our rationality.
We ask ourselves: What is the use of what we are doing? We can't answer...
Does what we are doing benefit ourselves and others? It doesn't...
Similarly, what is the use of what we are saying? We can't answer...
Does what we are saying benefit ourselves and others? It doesn't...
What is the use of this thought we are having? We can't answer...
Does this thought benefit ourselves and others? It doesn't...
We are essentially in a state of confusion.
When greed, hatred, and delusion are strong, many irrational assumptions arise.
We tend to believe our emotions over logic.
Even if something seems reasonable, it can be twisted reasoning passed off as truth, fooling the foolish but not the wise.
There will always be distorted views, distorted perceptions, and distorted thoughts.
The decisions we make are also irrational.
When challenged, we become speechless.
Someone asks: Why do it this way?
We respond: Just because we have to!
They ask: Why believe this?
We reply: Just because we must believe!
They ask: Why is this right?
We say: Just because it is right!
They ask: Why do you say he lacks wisdom?
We answer: Just because he lacks wisdom!
😂 😂
How can such a person lead others?
Thus, there is a saying in China: "The pure are noble."
Those with pure hearts can exhibit wisdom and understand their own and others’ interests (AN 1.46).
They act with reasoning and justification, making themselves confident, and even when challenged, they do not tremble.
Therefore, they can lead and gain others' support
這個世界根本就是一間瘋人院
所有人都在發瘋,因貪嗔癡而發瘋
他們所說的東西,關於人生、 生命、 道德和世界的看法,假如我們傻傻地走去相信,我們也會跟著發瘋
是時候逃出來了,一逃出瘋人院,就會遇上沒有發瘋的正常人
沒有貪嗔癡的正常人
他們就是佛陀的聖弟子
This world is essentially a mental asylum.
Everyone is going insane due to greed, hatred, and ignorance.
The things they say about life, existence, morality, and their views of the world—if we naively believe them, we too will go mad.
It’s time to escape.
Once we get out of the mental asylum, we will meet normal people who are not insane—people free from greed, hatred, and ignorance.
They are the holy disciples of the Buddha.
If we lack of stillness, which is the tranquility of the mind, our awareness and wisdom will tend to drift and become scattered, not remaining within the bounds of moderation. Sometimes we may mistakenly perceive our own opinions as the truth, believing emotional responses to be wisdom.
If this happens, it may lead to problems and losses later on.
如果我們缺乏定力,也就是心靈的寧靜, 我們的覺知和智慧會變得分散和混亂, 難以保持在適當的範圍內。
有時,我們會誤以為自己的看法是真理; 相信情緒的反應,將其視為智慧。
如果是這樣,可能會引發問題,並導致後續的损失。
Ajahn Golf
Life is full of ups and downs, with many things that give us headaches.
When the time comes, we return home, enter our own private space. After work, we take a shower, relax for a while, and then we practice. We pay respects to the Buddha, chant, train the mind to stay with a single object of meditation — an object that brings us happiness. Before long, the mind becomes calm. When the mind has strength again, we can go back to fighting in life.
If the mind has no energy, if it is extremely exhausted, unable to overcome defilements, and has been competing too much in life, in the end many people fall into depression. Nowadays, a great number of people suffer from depression — just among us Thais, not to mention people in other countries. For example, in some Western places after an economic collapse, many people’s minds became damaged and developed many problems.
If we can do this practice, our mind will have strength and can maintain that strength for a very long time in life. When our stillness (samādhi) is good, we will be able to think and plan very well at work. Sometimes there are extremely difficult tasks — no matter how much we think, we just can’t find a solution. In such cases, don’t keep forcing yourself to think the same way over and over.
It’s like a worm trying to bore through glass. If it keeps drilling and drilling, it will just die in vain. Instead, let the mind relax first, let it become calm. Once the mind is calm, wisdom will arise. Then we can solve problems in life, or the quality of our work will become much better. Because when the mind is calm, there is no bias. We see things more clearly than people who have no stillness. People with defilements look at things with bias and can never solve the problem.
This kind of meditation is the meditation for resting. When we rest this way, we gain strength and can also continue to develop insight meditation (vipassanā). Or we rest so that the mind has more power to fight again in daily life.
Practicing the Dhamma is not only about leaving home and entering a monastery. This teaching can truly help our daily life — especially samādhi (stillness). When the mind has samādhi, we can work very well, very finely, very accurately, and very quickly.
Luang Por has practiced stillness a lot since childhood. Later when working, the work was very difficult — mountains of documents, no computers, no AI, no Google, just stacks and stacks of papers. When facing a lot of work or a lot of data, one has to discern what is true and what is false. After sorting it out: this problem has several possible solutions; given our resources, we should solve it this way. Some points can be solved, some cannot; which are the main issues, which are secondary.
If the main problem cannot be solved yet, then solve the secondary problems first — do whichever one can be done right now. Gradually work through the issues. When you have stillness, you can see clearly which is which.
In the past when Luang Por worked, the boss would stand beside him waiting. The boss trusted Luang Por very much. They would stand there and as soon as the document was ready, they would sign it immediately. Why could it be done so quickly? Because of stillness.
Therefore, let us set aside time each day — pay respects to the Buddha, chant, train the mind , have mindfulness, and stay with a single object of focus. Choose whichever object feels comfortable to you. When the mind develops in this way, wisdom will arise, and we can truly solve the problems in our lives.
— Luang Por Pramote
17 January 2026
生命動蕩不安,有很多頭疼的事情。
到了時間,我們回到家,回到自己的私人空間,下班、洗澡、放鬆一會兒,然後就修行。禮佛、念經,讓心修業處,讓心處在單一讓自己有快樂的所緣。不久心就會寧靜。然後心有力量,又可以在生命中戰鬥了。
如果心沒有力氣,特別特別累,鬥不過煩惱,在生活中競爭太多,最後就會憂鬱症很多。現在憂鬱症的人非常多,就是我們泰國人,不用說別的國家的人了。比如說西方人,有的地方的經濟坍塌之後,許多人的心都出現殘疾、許多問題。
如果我們做得到,我們的心就會有力量,又可以在生命中有很長的力量。如果我們的禪定很好的話,在工作上就會思考、規劃得很好。有些事情,工作得很難很難,怎樣都想不出來,怎樣想都想不出來,就不要重複去想了。
像蟲子去鉆,碰到玻璃,如果一直鑽鑽鑽,就會白白地送死了。來讓心放鬆、先寧靜。一旦我們的心寧靜,就會生起智慧,就可以解決生活中的問題,或者工作的品質就會更好。因為當心寧靜時,就沒有偏見,我們看什麼東西就會比那些沒有禪定的人看得更加工作。有煩惱的人就會有偏見地看,一直都解決不到問題。
這是屬於用於休息的禪定。這樣可以有力氣去修觀禪也可以。或者為了休息,讓心更有力氣去戰鬥。
修行不僅僅是要離開家,進到寺廟。這個法真的能夠幫忙我們的生活,尤其是禪定。如果我們的心有禪定,就能工作得很好,可以很細膩,而且很準確、很快速。
隆波修禪定修很多,從小時候就開始修。然後工作,很難的工作,有海量的資料,根本沒有電腦,也沒有什麼AI ,也沒有什麼谷歌,有的只是一疊一疊的資料。在很多工作或很多資料的時候,就看資料是真的還是假的。整理出來了,這個問題有好幾個解決方法,我們有這樣的資源,應該這樣去解決。有些點能解決,有些不能解決;哪些是主要的問題,哪些是次要的問題。
主要的問題解決不了,就去解決次要的問題,看哪個能做就先做那個。慢慢地去解決問題。自己有禪定,就看得出來。
以前隆波工作,領導站在旁邊等著。領導對隆波很信任,他們就會站在旁邊簽字,資料打出來後他們就簽字了。為什麼可以做到?因為禪定
因此我們哪一天安排時間,禮佛念經,然後訓練心,有念,處在單一的所緣。哪個所緣舒服,我們就選擇那個。我們的心就會生起智慧,就可以解決生命中的問題
----隆波帕默
2026.1.17
如果我們做事非常沒有效率,這表示什麼?
這表示我們善心很少😂
為什麼這樣說? 因為根據阿比達摩論,一顆善心,它必然是適合工作的。
當一個人做事非常準確,非常有效率,非常有質素;那表示他善心生起的頻率非常之高。
之所以說善心生起的頻率,那是因為心是不斷改變生滅的。上一刻還是善心,下一刻可能就是不善心;不斷在變,是不確定的。
怎樣分辨心是否善心還是不善心?
如果是不善心,根據阿比達摩論,心那刻一定是散亂和痴迷的
如果是善心,它一定是輕鬆,清明與柔軟的
如何能讓善心頻繁生起?
很簡單,去除自我就可以了。就如隆波間夏所說:「放下自我,然後你們就會有正念。」
去除自我,就是做人不要自私。不要想要許多東西。也不要把東西當作是’我‘和’我的‘ ,不要覺得自己很重要
一旦我們開始想要許多東西,自我膨脹;心就會開始混亂。心混亂的時候做事難道會好嗎?
當心混亂到一個點,就很容易有精神上的疾病,例如抑鬱症、 焦慮症等等。當心靈的狀態不佳,根本無法做到任何事。比如說,大家悲傷的時候,難道做事會做得好嗎?
因此假如不想要任何負面情緒,務必去除自我,讓自己無私,少欲知足,謙遜柔軟。
一旦這樣做到,必然能避過許多負面情緒,讓正念頻繁生起。
正念就是念念分明不忘失於當下,保持清明清醒的狀態。當心時時生起正念,做事必然有效率,做得好。
因此一個極善的人通常會很有成就。而不善之人,永遠不能成為人上人
If we are very inefficient in our work, what does that indicate?
It indicates that we have very little good mind (/wholesome mind)😂
Why do we say this? Because according to the Abhidhamma, a good mind is always suitable for work.
When a person works very accurately, very efficiently, and with high quality, it indicates that their good mind arises very frequently.
The reason we speak of the frequency of good mind arising is that the mind is constantly changing. One moment it may be good mind, and the next moment it may be bad mind (unwholesome mind); it is always changing and uncertain.
How can we discern whether the mind is good or bad?
If it is unwholesome mind, then according to the Abhidhamma, the mind at that moment is definitely restless and confused.
If it is good mind, it is always light, clear, and soft.
How can we allow good mind to arise frequently?
It is simple: by removing the self. Just as Luang Por Ganha said, “Let go of the self, and you will have mindfulness.”
Removing the self means not being selfish. Do not desire many things. Do not consider things as ‘mine’ or ‘I,’ and do not feel important.
Once we start wanting many things and the 'self' inflates; the mind begins to get confused.
When the mind is confused, can it perform well?
When the mind becomes confused to a certain point, it is very easy to develop mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety. When the state of the mind is poor, it is impossible to accomplish anything. For example, when we are sad, can we work well?
Therefore, if we do not want any negative emotions, we must remove the sense of self, be selfless, have little desire, and be humble and gentle.
Once we do this, we will surely avoid many negative emotions and allow mindfulness to arise frequently.
Mindfulness is being clear and present in the moment, maintaining a state of clarity and alertness. When the mind consistently generates frequent mindfulness, work will surely be efficient and well done.
Thus, a very good person is usually very accomplished. An bad person will never rise above others.
“…I want the mind to unify and see the subtle things.
You must diligently practice by observing the breath in and out.
Make it a habit to meditate and contemplate.
Don’t focus solely on eating or sleeping.
Even when you sleep, be mindful; when you wake up to work, be mindful and do not be careless.
A true practitioner does not look at others' hearts;
they observe their own heart and keep it steady.
Because the heart is paramount, it is the leader.
Everything can be achieved through the heart.
Emotions can disturb the mind;
do not be easily swayed by fleeting emotions!
They can manipulate you all day and night.
Even in dreams, they interfere,
so you don’t get proper rest.
At the very least… meditate before sleeping
to allow the mind to rest.
Mindfulness and stillness will then arise,
leading to wisdom that can solve your life’s problems…”
“…我希望心靈能夠統一,看到細微的事物。
你必須勤奮地練習,觀察進出的呼吸。
養成冥想和思維的習慣。
不要僅僅專注於吃和睡。
即使在睡覺時,也要保持警覺;醒來工作時,也要保持警覺,不要掉以輕心。
真正的修行者不會去觀察他人的心;
他們觀察自己的心,保持穩定。
因為心靈是最重要的,是主導者。
一切都可以通過心靈實現。
情緒會擾亂心靈;
不要輕易被瞬間的情緒所左右!
它們可以整天整夜影響你。
即使在夢中,它們也會干擾你,
以致你無法得到充分的休息。
至少……在睡前冥想
讓心靈得到休息。
正念和禪定將隨之而來,
導致智慧出現,能夠解決你生活中的問題…”
Luang Pu Prasert Sirikutto
cred .to Ajahn Golf 阿贊高爾夫 อาจารย์กอล์ฟ
❓提問:
為什麼修習禪定的功德,比起其他的善行要大得多?
🧘♂️回答:
這是一種特性。因為當我們修習禪定,心就會安定,生起定力,就會有正念正知,
會產生對善惡是非的自覺感與羞恥感。
而如果禪定有了力量,它還會生起智慧,
能夠很好地解決自己內心的問題,功德就在這一點上。
「說禪定的功德比其他善行還大」,是因為:
修習禪定可以證得道果涅槃。
我們若要真正深入佛法的實質,只能依靠修定這一條道路,
其他善行,只是出於善意的發願與用心而已。
比如說,我們羞於在街上裸體行走,
那是因為我們有「對社會的羞恥感」。
如果拿這個來比喻我們的行善,也大概是這種層次:
不做善事是因為怕被別人指責、羞於面對社會等,
這表示我們的心還沒有達到自然、自動地行善的層次。
那麼,如果我們訓練心,讓它具備定力,
禪定就會變成一種能量,支持我們日常生活的各個方面。
例如,一個有禪定的人,具備正念正知,
一旦開始思考事情,心念就會自動、有力地運轉。
但如果沒有禪定、沒有正念正知,
一旦要思考時,大腦就會變得遲鈍、混亂;
工作稍一複雜,就覺得煩悶,最後產生厭倦之感——大致就是這個樣子。
——Luang Por Phut Thaniyo)開示
(Judge 翻譯自泰語)
❓ Question:
Why does the merit of practicing meditation far surpass that of other good deeds?
🧘♂️ Answer:
This is due to its inherent nature. When we practice meditation, the mind becomes calm, stillness arises, and mindfulness and clear comprehension (sati-sampajañña) develop.
It fosters a sense of moral awareness and conscientiousness toward good and evil.
And when stillness gains strength, it gives rise to wisdom,
enabling us to effectively resolve inner conflicts—this is where its merit lies.
The reason "the merit of meditation is greater than other good deeds" is that:
Through meditation, one can attain the path, its fruits (magga-phala), and Nibbāna.
If we truly wish to penetrate the essence of the Dhamma, the only way is through the cultivation of stillness.
Other good deeds are merely acts of goodwill and aspiration.
For example, we feel ashamed to walk naked in public
because we have a "sense of social shame."
If we use this to analogize our virtuous actions, it’s roughly on this level:
We avoid wrongdoing because we fear criticism or feel ashamed before society—
this shows our mind has not yet reached the stage of naturally and effortlessly doing good.
However, if we train the mind to develop stillness,
stillness becomes a kind of energy that supports every aspect of daily life.
For instance, a person with stillness and mindfulness
will find their thoughts flowing automatically and powerfully when reflecting on matters.
But without stillness or mindfulness,
the moment we try to think, the mind becomes sluggish and confused.
Faced with slightly complex tasks, we grow frustrated and eventually weary—this is roughly how it goes.
— Teachings by Luang Pu Phut Thaniyo
一個良好修行人的特徵,
就是乾淨利落
處事乾淨利落
做人乾淨利落
因為戒定慧的效益就是不執著
The mark of a diligent practitioner
is crispness and clarity—
handling affairs with crispness and clarity,
coping people with crispness and clarity.
For the effect of precepts, stillness, and wisdom
is non-attachment.
《禪定幫助工作》
修禪定、經行後覺知增多,一天最少,而不是最多三個小時。
一旦維持了,這時做工作品質會更好,而不是說經行多了工作不好了
隆波靠自己親身看到了。隆波以前是國務院的公務員,後來退休了,換工作了;屬於電話移動公司,工作也很繁重。
隆波工作的時候,有時老闆在隔壁閒聊。為什麼到這裡閒聊?因為他等著簽字,等自己做完工作之後簽字。
為什麼自己做得到?隆波做的工作很快,也很準。領導一看,馬上就能簽字了。為什麼可以做到那樣?
因為禪定,自己禪定很好。訓練的早期階段,覺得佔用了自己的時間。但如果心有禪定,難的工作也會變簡單。
有時候有問題,比如說我們生活有問題,我們不需要想太多;無緣無故,心就會自己說了:‘這個問題應該這樣解決’ 這是禪定的事情。
因此,自己打坐經行三個小時,如果做得到,馬上就要去做了,不然年紀大了就做不到了。
----隆波帕默
2025.06.21
《Meditation Helps with Work》
After practicing meditation and walking meditation for at least 3 hours, awareness increases. Once maintained, the quality of work improves—it’s not that more walking meditation leads to worse work.
Luang Por personally experienced this. I used to be a civil servant in the Prime Minister’s Office before retiring and afterwards switched jobs to work for a mobile phone company, where the workload was also heavy.
When Luang Por worked, sometimes my boss would chat idly in the next room. Why did he come there to chat? Because he was waiting to sign documents—waiting for Luang Por to finish his work so he could sign them.
How was Luang Por able to do this? my work was fast and accurate. As soon as the supervisor looked at it, he could sign immediately. How was that possible?
Because of stiillness—Luang Por’s stiillness was strong. In the early stages of training, it felt like meditation took up time. But if the mind is with stillness, even difficult tasks become easier.
Sometimes, when there are problems—like issues in our lives—we don’t need to overthink them. Out of nowhere, the mind will say, "This problem should be solved like this." That’s the work of stillness.
Therefore, if you can sit and walk in meditation for three hours, you should start right away. Otherwise, when you get older, you won’t be able to do it.
— **Luang Por Pramote**
2025.06.21
“……莫因行善而感到氣餒與絕望,
當下能實踐的道路有許多。
首先應當審視自身:
是否已做好準備?
從清晨醒來,
至工作之前,
若有餘裕便誦經禪修——
即便簡短亦可。
接著靜坐修持,
散播慈心予自身與一切眾生。
日日持續不懈,
內心將逐漸沉澂安定,
言行亦會變得沉穩周詳。
昔日急躁的性情,
將轉為溫和從容,
並充滿足夠的智慧。
所做之事皆不落空——
這份『不落空』的體驗,
將化為日日行善的動力……”
"...Do not be discouraged or hopeless
about cultivating goodness and virtue.
There are so many paths we can begin immediately.
First, we must examine ourselves:
Are we truly ready?
From the moment we wake up,
before going to work,
if we have enough time, chant and meditate—
even a shortened version is fine.
Then sit in meditation,
spreading loving-kindness to ourselves and all beings.
Do this every single day.
It will gradually cool and calm our minds.
Whatever we do, we will act with composure and careful consideration.
If we used to be hot-tempered,
we will become more patient,
guided by sufficient reason.
In all we do, we will not meet disappointment.
This very absence of disappointment
will become the inspiration
to create goodness day after day..."
🌸🦋🌸🦋🌸🦋🌸
Luang Pu Somkiat Chitmaro
Wat Pa Tham Phra Thep Nimit, Udon Thani
October 2, 2025
cred. to วัดป่าถ้ำพระเทพนิมิตร-หลวงพ่อสมเกียรติ ชิตมาโร
《The Benefits of meditation: Aids Problem Solving》
The less you think , the more you see! The clearer everything becomes! That’s why after a very good meditation, its easy to solve problems!
For example last meditation retreat, the people came with lots of problems at work! They said , ‘what am I supposed to do? because I have too much unfinished business , too much problems in my company.’
He just meditated , after a while; then leave it just alone. Then what had happened , is that he meditated for 3 or 4 days; then he got all the answers to the problems in his company. It’s a really good one, the things that he has not thought about initially; in the calm in the peace, you can see solutions, because you can see clearly!
So If you want to solve any problems in life, all in business, all in family, all in monastery, whatever else you should be doing; stop thinking about it! Make the mind still and peaceful. And you will get clarity. The mind becomes powerful.
So as you let go, as a way it gets less and less; and that mind becomes still~
You just feel the power building up, this is the inner power of the mind.
To purify the mind from all these distracting thoughts, to allow it to become still.
Its like the simile of the sun in the magnifying glass, being focused. It’s the stillness.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:幫助解決問題》
想得越少,看到的就越多!一切變得越來越清晰!這就是為什麼在一次非常好的禪修之後,解決問題變得容易
例如,在上一次的禪修營中,來的人都帶著很多工作上的問題!他們說:“我應該怎麼做?因為我有太多未完成的事務,公司的問題太多了。”
他只是禪修,過了一會兒,然後把問題放在一邊。
結果他禪修了三到四天,然後就得到了公司問題的所有答案。
這真的很好,起先他不能想出東西,但在平靜中看到了解決方案,因為你能看清楚東西!
因此,如果你想解決生活中的任何問題,不論是在商業、家庭或寺院,無論你應該做什麼;停止思考!讓心靜止和平靜。你將會清晰清明。心將變得強大。
隨著你放下,心變得越來越安靜~
你會感覺到內在的力量在增強。這是內在的心力
淨化心靈,讓它變得靜止,擺脫所有這些分散注意力的思緒
。
這就像放大鏡下的陽光,集中。這就是靜止。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
《How to prevent ourselves being a difficult person》
One of the reasons why people are difficult, why sometimes you are difficult, is because people are too stressed out. When you're stressed out at work, you take it back home, give people a hard time at home, and then because you have a hard time at home, you have family problems, when you go back to work, you're stressed out at work even before you begin your day.
You are in the cycle of negativity and stress, so much so that we reallyshould deal with that problem, whether at home, or at work, to learn how to de-stress, and to be able to de-stress a little bit of meditation really works.
You know the old story, how heavy is a cup? The longer I hold it, the heavierit feels,
if I keep holding this for five minutes, my arm aches, 10 minutes, I'm in great pain.
If I keep holding this for half an hour, I'm a very stupid monk. [laughter]
What should I do when it starts to get heavy? Put it down for five minutes. If you don't believe me, you can try this out at home. [laughs] It works, after five minutes , you pick it up again, it's much lighter. It feels lighter. It's exactly the same weight, it feels lighter because you have rested. Your stress is nothing to do with how much work you have.
The amount of responsibilities and duties you have, that is not the cause of stress.
The cause of stress is when it gets too heavy to bear, you don't know how to put it down.
You're afraid of putting it down for a few minutes, to rest, to get your energies and strength back up, and you will find, as any psychologist or monk will tell you...actually, we teach the psychologists, that's where they got all their ideas from.[laughter] We should patent them, but we give things out for free.
This is the work you have. You find if you put it down for 5 or 10minutes,
it's not 5 or 10 minutes wasted, it's actually an investment of time. Because when you're rested, afterwards, the quality of your work improves enormously. You get more done in less time too. You become more efficient, and sometimes at work we mistake the quantity of work for its quality and efficiency.
Giving yourself a break, 10 minutes of meditation, rest, or whatever, and I recommend the toilet is a great place to meditate. [laughter]
You can put on, "engaged" there, no one will bother you, and you can always say you were constipated. You're not lying, because your brain was constipated.[laughter]
Then rest for a few minutes. When you come out afterwards, you make up that 10 minutes you spent in the loo very quickly, so you get more work done, more efficiency, higher quality, and you're not stressed out.
So when you go home, you can enjoy the company of your relations, and know your kids, and your wife, your husband, and even actually relax and enjoy your dinner.Because when you enjoy the company of home...again, home is supposed to be a place where youde-stress, you can relax, have a good dinner, and meet the people you love and care for.
When you have a nice rest in the evening, you go back to work in the morning, then you're sort of calm. It's a cycle which you can either have a vicious cycle of stress and argument at home, or stress at work, and you get really crazy, or you can break thatcycle, rest a little bit at work. You get more done, you come home, you relax, everythingis going well at home so you...happy at work as well. You get more done there.
That's a cycle where you don't become a difficult person to live with. That'swhy I say to people when they come on meditation retreats, they're doing meditation here on a Saturday afternoon, or beforehand, "Why do you meditate?" Because other people have to putup with you. [laughter]
That's one of the great reasons to meditate, and if you meditate,you're a much nicer person afterwards. Many times when I've been teaching meditation,especially down at Armadale, I don't know why this happens always in Armadale group. In Armadale group, sometimes after the meditation, talking to people afterwards, and veryoften people say, "You know, this evening, I never wanted to come."
"It's Tuesday evening, I've been at work, and I'm tired, and I told my kids I'm not going this evening, and my daughter said, 'Mommy, you must go tomeditation.'
I said, 'I don't feel like it darling, I'm tired.' 'Mommy, you must go to meditation!'
'No, not this evening.'
'Mommy, go to meditation!!'
'Why darling?'
'Because you're a much nicer mommy when you come back.'" [laughter]
So they go. Many of the kids actually understand that. They can see the change in you when you're de-stress, so you're not such a difficult mother or a difficult father to your own kids. This is actually how you can see in practice, a little bit of rest makes people less difficult people to live with.
You see, in the course of these things, so it's not just being compassionate and kind, it's actually knowing the causes of being difficult, and dealing with them by giving yourself a bit of rest, being de-stressed.
《如何避免自己成為一個難相處的人》
人們為什麼會變得難以相處,有時你自己也會變得難以相處,原因之一就是因為壓力太大。當你在工作上感到壓力時,這種壓力會帶回家,給家人帶來困擾,然後因為在家裡的困擾,你又會有家庭問題,當你回到工作時,即使在一天的開始之前,你已經感到壓力重重。
你陷入了負面的循環和壓力之中,因此我們真的應該解決這個問題,無論是在家還是在工作,學會如何減壓,而一些禪修的練習確實能幫助你減壓。
你知道那個老故事,杯子的重量是多少?我握著它的時間越長,感覺越重。
如果我握著它五分鐘,我的手臂會感到疼痛,十分鐘後,我會感到非常痛苦。
如果我一直握著它半小時,那我就是一個非常愚蠢的和尚。[笑聲]
當它開始變得沉重時,我應該怎麼做?放下五分鐘。如果你不相信我,可以在家試試看。[笑聲] 這是有效的,五分鐘後再拿起來,會感覺輕多了。它的重量並沒有變,卻因為你休息過而感覺輕鬆。你的壓力與你有多少工作無關。
你的責任和義務的數量並不是壓力的根源。
壓力的根源在於當你無法承受時,你不知道如何放下。
你害怕放下幾分鐘,去休息,恢復精力和力量,你會發現,正如任何心理學家或僧侶會告訴你的……其實,我們教了心理學家,這就是他們所有想法的來源。[笑聲] 我們應該為此申請專利,但我們免費提供這些。
這是你所承擔的工作。你會發現,如果你放下五或十分鐘,
這不是浪費的五或十分鐘,而實際上是時間的投資。因為當你得到休息後,隨之而來的工作質量會大大提高。你能在更少的時間內完成更多的工作。你變得更有效率,有時在工作上,我們會錯誤地將工作量與質量和效率混淆。
給自己一個休息,十分鐘的禪修,休息或其他什麼,我建議廁所是一個很好的禪修地點。[笑聲]
你可以在那裡“忙碌”,沒有人會打擾你,你也總是可以說你便秘了。你並不是在說謊,因為你的大腦確實是“便秘”的。[笑聲]
然後休息幾分鐘。當你出來後,你會很快彌補在廁所花的那十分鐘,這樣你能完成更多的工作,效率更高,質量更高,同時你不會感到壓力。
這樣當你回到家時,你可以享受與家人的相處,了解你的孩子,妻子或丈夫,甚至真正放鬆地享受你的晚餐。因為當你享受家庭的陪伴時……家庭應該是一個讓你減壓的地方,你可以放鬆,享受美好的晚餐,與你愛和關心的人相聚。
當你在晚上得到良好的休息,早上回到工作時,你的心情會平靜。這是一個循環,你可以選擇要麼陷入惡性的壓力和家庭爭吵,要麼在工作中稍微休息一下。你能做得更多,回到家後放鬆,家庭一切都很好,這樣你在工作上也會感到開心。你能在那裡做得更多。
這是一個讓你不成為難相處的人的循環。這就是為什麼我對來參加禪修營的人說,在星期六下午或之前,他們在這裡禪修,“你為什麼禪修?”因為其他人必須忍受你。[笑聲]
這是禪修的一個重要原因,如果你禪修,之後你會變得更加友好。很多次在我教禪修的時候,特別是在阿馬代爾小組,我不知道為什麼這總是在阿馬代爾小組發生。有時在禪修後,與禪員交談,很多人說:“你知道,今晚我根本不想來。”
“今天是星期二晚上,我在工作,感到疲憊,我告訴我的孩子我今晚不去,我的女兒說,‘媽媽,你一定要去禪修。’
我說,‘我不想去,親愛的,我累了。’‘媽媽,你一定要去禪修!’
‘不,今晚不去。’
‘媽媽,去禪修!!’
‘為什麼,親愛的?’
‘因為你回來後會變得更好。’”[笑聲]
所以他們去了。很多孩子其實都明白這一點。他們能看到你在減壓後的變化,這樣你就不會成為孩子們難相處的母親或父親。這實際上是你可以在實踐中看到的,休息一下會讓人變得不那麼難相處。
你看,在這些事情的過程中,不僅僅是表現出同情和善良,更是了解變得難相處的原因,並通過給自己一些休息來解決這些問題,讓自己減壓。
《Benefits of Meditation: miscellaneous 》
So traditionally, it has always been the case in Buddhism , who meditated, who purified the mind; for the sake of letting go the negative qualities in our lives. So we have inner happiness in our life, so we don’t go crazy due to too much thinking.
You don’t go crazy with anger, ill will towards other people, which has terrible consequences. People go blow each other up, go rape each other , beat each other; all because they don’t train their minds. Their mind is out of control!
The monsters, you teach the monsters about meditation, then they become so wonderful , so peaceful ,so nice. You can actually calm yourself down, you can actually purify , you can change! You can become more successful. More alert, more wise.
But also, you can understand what is going on in life. What rebirth and kamma is. And eventually understand the nature of existence, who you are!
It is meditation which makes you enlighten. So some people start to meditate, just to solve their problems, or just want to become healthy.
Great! It works! Why not!
But of course it goes deeper than that.
You carry on this meditation business, and you will become so peaceful so happy. So powerful! And that mindfulness, that outpower mindfulness will eventually answer all of your questions. Much more than I can ever do. Much more than books ever do.
Books give you some hints. But you make the mind peaceful and calm. You can find that for yourself. You can know yah what rebirth is. You can know what heaven and hell are.
I talked about that last week.
You know what people have when they die in tsunami? So you could become more at peace with everything in life. You can become more effective, more compassionate , instead of just making too much problems. And making a matter from this world.
You can live more simply, you can have inner happiness, you don’t need to have these crutches for happiness like crystal sets, TVs and alcohols. Movies , and all these kind of stuff. You don’t need all that to be happy . You get your own happiness. You are at peace with yourself. And you start to see deeply onto why.
So meditation has always been the great path. The way your asked questions are answered.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:雜項》
傳統上,在佛教中,誰禪修,誰就能淨化心靈; 一直是為了放下我們生活中的負面品質,從而獲得生命中內心的快樂,避免因過度思考而發瘋。
你不會因為憤怒或對他人的惡意而失控,這會帶來可怕的後果。人們互相打擊、強姦、毆打;這一切都是因為他們沒有訓練自己的心靈。心失控了!
那些怪物,當你教他們冥想時,他們會變得如此美好、平靜、友善。你實際上可以讓自己冷靜下來,淨化自己,甚至改變自己!你可以變得更成功、更警覺、更有智慧。
同時,你還能理解生活中發生了什麼。你會理解輪回和業力,最終明白存在的本質,你是誰!
正是禪修使你覺悟。所以有些人開始禪修只是為了解決自己的問題,或者想變得健康。
太好了!這有效!為什麼不呢!
但當然,有比這更深刻的。
如果你持續進行禪修,你會變得如此平靜、快樂、強大!而這種正念,這種強大的正念最終會回答你所有的問題。比我能做到的更多,比書本能做到的更多。
書本給你一些提示。但你讓心靈平靜和安寧。你可以自己去發現這一點。你可以知道什麼是輪回。你可以知道什麼是天堂和地獄。
我上週談過這個。
你知道人們在海嘯中死亡時會發生什麼嗎?所以你可以讓自己與生活中的一切更和諧。
你可以變得更加有效率,更有同情心,而不是僅僅製造太多的問題,讓這個世界變得混亂。
你可以過得更簡單,擁有內心的快樂,不需要那些水晶座、電視、酒精、電影等幸福的支撐物。你不需要這一切來獲得快樂。如果你擁有自己的快樂,與自己和諧相處,然後你會開始深入理解原因。
因此,禪修一直是很大的道路。這就是你提問的問題的答案。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
更多關於阿姜布拉姆的資訊
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
照片來源:所有者
《The benefit of meditation: make you a better person to be lived with》
A classic story years ago, a lady came to my courses, when she came, she said, ‘ I just come from work, I am busy, I am so tired .
My children tells me ‘‘mummy, let’s go to meditation retreat’’.
I say, ‘‘oh no, I don’t feel like it’’
The children, ‘‘Mummy, Let’s go to meditation retreat’’
I say, ‘‘no’’
The children, ‘‘Mummy, you actually become a nicer person after you come back from meditation retreat’’’
The kid does realize what meditation did to their mother. It actually makes her less grumpy, more kind, more peaceful, a better person to live with.
So you understand, when you calm the mind down. When you give it energy to knowing, you lessen your negative qualities of the mind. You become more positive , it’s nature that happens. Energy goes into knowing, less into controlling .
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
《禪修的好處:讓你成為更好相處的人》
有一個多年前的經典故事,一位女士來參加我的禪修營,當她來的時候,她說:“我剛下班,我很忙,我非常疲倦。我的孩子告訴我
‘媽媽,讓我們去靜坐退修’。
我說,‘哦不,我不想去’。
孩子們說,‘媽媽,讓我們去靜坐退修’。
我說,‘不’。
孩子們說,‘媽媽,你回來後會變得更好相處’。”
這孩子意識到了禪修對他們母親的影響。實際上,它使她變得不那麼愛發脾氣,更有善意,更平和,成為一個更好相處的人。
所以你明白,當你讓心靜下來,當你將能量投入到這個覺知時,你減少了心中的負面特質。你變得更正面,這是自然發生的。能量進入這個‘知道’,減少控制。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
《Benefit of meditation: Good academic result. Example 1》
One lady who was in the retreat recently, who told me that when she is studying in Melbourne University, she would never go to tutorials. She told me, she didn’t need to , she had got the top mark every year.
I ask her ‘how? ’ I knew what she was going to say.
she was a sri lankan, when she was very young, there was a meditation close to where she lives. And he was a good teacher. And she learnt meditation from him
So whenever she went to any classes. She knew how to make her mind so still, that she could listen and remember everything.
When it comes to the time of examinations or writing an assignment, the first thing that came out of her mind, she wrote down, and that was all correct.
She had had a great time in university. And always the top marks. That is called efficiency. Simply because she had learnt to train her mind.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:良好的學業成績。例子 1》
最近參加靜修的一位女士告訴我,當她在墨爾本大學學習時,從不參加輔導課。她說,她根本不需要,因為她每年都能獲得最高分。
我問她:「怎麼做到的?」我知道她會怎麼回答。
她是一位斯里蘭卡人,年輕時就有一位優秀的冥想老師在她家附近。她向他學習了禪修。
所以每當她上課時,她都知道如何讓自己的心靜止,這樣她就能聆聽並記住所有內容。
在考試或寫作業的時候,她腦海中浮現的第一個想法就是她寫下來的東西,並且都是正確的。
她在大學過得非常愉快,總是名列前茅。這就是所謂的效率,因為她學會了如何訓練自己的心。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
更多關於阿姜布拉姆的資訊
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
照片來源:所有者
《Benefit of meditation: Good academic result. Example 2》
I heard to say some of our monks from England about her daughter exiting university. She was doing med school, she hardly has done any tutorials. Wouldn’t even go to the lectures. But she too always come top every year. I want to find out why, and that’s her meditation. She trained her mind to be still.
When you are still, you are like a sponge which has got no water in it. You could soak up things so easily. How can you ever learn, if your sponge is so full of other stuff? You have to empty the mind out, make it so still and peaceful. Then you could actually absorb anything. Great efficiency, to read, and understand. To attain information.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:良好的學業成績。例子 2》
我聽說英國的一位僧侶提到他女兒剛剛從大學畢業。
她讀醫學的。但她幾乎沒有參加任何補習課,甚至不去上課。
但她每年都能名列前茅。我想了解原因,然後知道這就是她的禪修。
她訓練自己的心靜止。
當你靜止時,就像一個沒有水的海綿。你可以很容易地吸收東西。如果你的海綿裝滿了其他東西,你怎麼能學習呢?你必須清空心靈,使其變得平靜而靜止。這樣你才能真正吸收任何東西。這是極高效率的,能夠閱讀、理解和獲取信息。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
更多關於阿姜布拉姆的資訊
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
照片來源:所有者
《Benefit of meditation: realization of the truth of rebirth 》
But more than that, before I come into here, people were talking about what happened for the tsunami victims after they die?
And I said, they would get reborn sooner or later.
And that is part of Buddhism. And they say, ‘why’
It is buddhist business about rebirth, could you really accept that?
With the power of meditation, you could know that it is actually true!
And here is where the power of meditation really starts to bite, when you actually starts to see some truth for yourself.
How do you see that? There are two ways where meditation can prove for yourself that rebirth actually happens.
The most obvious way is actually when you start recording your own previous life. And that’s not so hard to do if you make your mind very still , and start to give it that power. All the energy starts to go into knowing, your memory is enhanced , really enhanced!
All you need to do is ask yourself, ‘what is your earliest memory?’
And memory from the past starts to come up in front of you.
Memories when you are a child, when you are a baby. Memories when you are in your mother’s womb.
And sometimes the memory of the past, and that is your memories.
And the strange thing about that type of experience, the memory which is empowered by very still and peaceful meditation , is that it always come with a sense of absolute certainty. Memories of many different types, but this type is once every time it happens to someone, is always, no doubt at all; that was you , in the past. So that is fascinating ! you can actually do this the other way of proving for yourself that rebirth is a fact. It is just knowing the nature of the mind.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:體證輪迴的真相》
但更重要的是,在我來到這裡之前,人們在討論海嘯受害者死後會發生什麼?我說,他們會遲早都會再生。
這是佛教的一部分。他們問:「為什麼?」
這是有關輪迴的佛教東西,你能接受嗎?
透過禪修的力量,你可以知道這確實是真的!
而這就是禪修的力量真正開始顯現的地方,當你開始親自看到一些真相。
你怎麼能看到這一點?禪修有兩種方式可以證明輪迴實際發生。
最明顯的方法就是當你開始回憶自己的前世。這並不難做到,只要你讓自己的心靜止,並開始賦予它那種力量。所有的能量開始進入那個‘知道’,你的記憶得到了增強,真的得到了增強!
你所需要做的就是問自己:「你最早的記憶是什麼?」來自過去的記憶便會開始浮現於你面前。
幼年時的記憶,嬰兒時的記憶,甚至在母親子宮中的記憶。這些都是你的記憶。
而這種經由非常靜止和平靜的禪修所增強的記憶,帶來的奇特之處在於,它總是伴隨著絕對的確信感。有各種類型的記憶,但這種經驗每次發生在某人身上時,總是毫無疑問的;那就是你,過去的你。所以這真是令人著迷!你其實可以用另一種方式來證明輪迴是一個事實。這就是了解心的本質。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
❓提問:
為什麼修習禪定的功德,比起其他的善行要大得多?
🧘♂️回答:
這是一種特性。因為當我們修習禪定,心就會安定,生起定力,就會有正念正知,
會產生對善惡是非的自覺感與羞恥感。
而如果禪定有了力量,它還會生起智慧,
能夠很好地解決自己內心的問題,功德就在這一點上。
「說禪定的功德比其他善行還大」,是因為:
修習禪定可以證得道果涅槃。
我們若要真正深入佛法的實質,只能依靠修定這一條道路,
其他善行,只是出於善意的發願與用心而已。
比如說,我們羞於在街上裸體行走,
那是因為我們有「對社會的羞恥感」。
如果拿這個來比喻我們的行善,也大概是這種層次:
不做善事是因為怕被別人指責、羞於面對社會等,
這表示我們的心還沒有達到自然、自動地行善的層次。
那麼,如果我們訓練心,讓它具備定力,
禪定就會變成一種能量,支持我們日常生活的各個方面。
例如,一個有禪定的人,具備正念正知,
一旦開始思考事情,心念就會自動、有力地運轉。
但如果沒有禪定、沒有正念正知,
一旦要思考時,大腦就會變得遲鈍、混亂;
工作稍一複雜,就覺得煩悶,最後產生厭倦之感——大致就是這個樣子。
——Luang Por Phut Thaniyo)開示
(Judge 翻譯自泰語)
❓ Question:
Why does the merit of practicing meditation far surpass that of other good deeds?
🧘♂️ Answer:
This is due to its inherent nature. When we practice meditation, the mind becomes calm, stillness arises, and mindfulness and clear comprehension (sati-sampajañña) develop.
It fosters a sense of moral awareness and conscientiousness toward good and evil.
And when stillness gains strength, it gives rise to wisdom,
enabling us to effectively resolve inner conflicts—this is where its merit lies.
The reason "the merit of meditation is greater than other good deeds" is that:
Through meditation, one can attain the path, its fruits (magga-phala), and Nibbāna.
If we truly wish to penetrate the essence of the Dhamma, the only way is through the cultivation of stillness.
Other good deeds are merely acts of goodwill and aspiration.
For example, we feel ashamed to walk naked in public
because we have a "sense of social shame."
If we use this to analogize our virtuous actions, it’s roughly on this level:
We avoid wrongdoing because we fear criticism or feel ashamed before society—
this shows our mind has not yet reached the stage of naturally and effortlessly doing good.
However, if we train the mind to develop stillness,
stillness becomes a kind of energy that supports every aspect of daily life.
For instance, a person with stillness and mindfulness
will find their thoughts flowing automatically and powerfully when reflecting on matters.
But without stillness or mindfulness,
the moment we try to think, the mind becomes sluggish and confused.
Faced with slightly complex tasks, we grow frustrated and eventually weary—this is roughly how it goes.
— Teachings by Luang Pu Phut Thaniyo
佛陀說,有五種損失:
親人的損失
財富的損失
疾病的損失
戒的損失
見的損失。
損失親人,財富,生重病,這很可憐;但這仍不是什麼真正的大事。假如損失戒和正見,這是更大的事。因為親人財富和健康沒有了,不會導致我們下惡道;但假如失去了戒和正見,我們死後便可能墮落地獄,餓鬼,畜生道。
我們這一生可能做了許多善事,心裡想著:我做了那麼多善事,竟然會遇上這麼淒慘的遭遇? 這個世界根本沒有因果!
這樣還不夠,還要到處宣揚這樣的錯見
這時原本未來還是一片光明,死後會升到天界中, 但因為損失了正見,生起了邪見,未來立刻變了,地獄在等著我們。親愛的讀者們, 我們這一生最主要是在承受著過去的業力, 除非我們轉變為大善人或大惡人, 不然這一生所做的大部分會影響我們的未來世, 部分會影響我們的現世。
自己的親人被兇徒殺死了,我們很憤怒,誓要為他討回公道,於是去殺了兇徒。原本我們的親人死了,這不會影響我們下一生;但一旦去殺人,我們的未來立刻改變。
有些人原本還是好好的,但當生意失敗,破產了,便走去詐騙想要發財。錢是騙到了,但地獄裡的鍋等著他呢。沒了錢不等於沒了未來,但沒了戒就真的沒有了未來。
相反;我們可能結婚後連生貴子,事業有成,財源滾滾來,也很健康。但這並不算什麼。因為這些不會帶我們去天堂。有許多人在當生是很成功,但一死去便墮落惡道。佛陀說,大部分人死後都會墮落的;能再生為人或天神的就如指尖上的泥土(和大地的泥土相比)。能帶我們上天堂的,是正見與戒德。我們要具備五戒與十善業,也要相信因果,了解四聖諦;那麼死後便會上到去快樂的天界。(AN5.130)
佛陀在《大吉祥經》中開示:接觸世間法,無憂愁、 無污染、 安樂,這是最吉祥的
佛陀真的非常睿智。
因為這個世界的一切事物,都不是我們想怎樣就怎樣的
我們不是世界的老大,我們完全無法掌控世界
它給我們什麼,我們就接什麼
是好的,我們要接
是不好的,我們也要接
根本不由我們選擇
假如我們內心掙扎、 渴求
苦的還是自己
一旦我們能夠捨去對全世界的執著,我們將能無憂愁、 快樂地過活。有什麼吉祥得過這樣?
The Buddha teaches in the "Sutra of Great Auspiciousness": To engage with worldly matters without sorrow, defilements, remain peaceful, is the most auspicious.
The Buddha is truly wise.
Everything in this world does not happen according to our wishes.
We are not the boss of the world; we cannot control it at all.
We receive what it gives us.
If it's good, we have to accept it;
if it's not good, we also have to accept it.
We have no choice at all!
If we struggle and crave in our hearts, we are the ones who suffer.
Once we can let go of our attachments to the entire world,
we will be able to live without sorrow and remain happy.
What could be more auspicious than this?
世間沒有學過佛法的傻人就好像這個龍捲風那樣
無論是好東西還是廢物都吸過來自己那裡
不論是讚美、毀謗、快樂、痛苦都吸過來,都當成是‘我的’
真是難以理解,痛苦為什麼還要當成是‘我的’ 呢? 為什麼要緊緊抓住別人的恥笑、毀謗、是非為’我的‘ 呢?
世間的蠢人就好像龍捲風那樣,無論去到哪裡,都因為要把東西納為己有的自私心,而破壞一切。他們無視道德,不理會別人的感受,掠奪一切
一旦佛法進入他們的心中,就好像龍捲風被瓦解那樣。
他們意識到其實’我‘ 和’我的‘ 根本不存在
於是只剩下平靜、喜樂、智慧。大家都感嘆:’災難過去了!天朗氣清了!‘
video cred. to:
https://youtube.com/shorts/9NbV0Mda3nQ?si=tbgCGXJXw_iew8E6
Foolish People in the world who have not learned the Dhamma are like a tornado, drawing in everything good and worthless alike.
Whether it’s praise, slander, joy, or suffering, they absorb it all and consider it "mine."
It's truly hard to understand why one would claim suffering as "mine." Why hold tightly to others' ridicule, slander, and disputes as "mine"?
Foolish people in the world are like tornadoes; wherever they go, their selfishness leads them to destroy everything and everyone in their path. They disregard morals, ignore others' feelings, and plunder everything.
Once the Dhamma enters their hearts, it’s as if the tornado has been dismantled. They realize that "I" and "mine" do not truly exist. What remains is peace, joy, and wisdom. Everyone marvels: "The disaster has passed! The sky is clear!"
video cred. to :
Devotee: We listen to inspiring talks, attend programs, and learn new things. We make resolutions on New Year's Day, anniversaries, birthdays, or whenever we feel motivated, trying to pick up a few good new habits. Yet somehow, time after time, we slip back into our old patterns.
How can we break this cycle — the habit of forming habits only for them to eventually break?
Ajahn Brahm: In business, there's a well-known rule of thumb in advertising: for every dollar you spend, you typically get three dollars back. That's the industry standard. Why does advertising work so effectively? The honest answer is brainwashing.
I've been quite upfront about this whenever I give a talk: for the last hour or so, I've actually been brainwashing you. Especially when I tell funny stories — that's precisely when people lower their guard, thinking "oh, he's not being serious," and the message slips in underneath.
Have you noticed how stupid and banal many TV advertisements are? Who would ever believe those things? I remember when I was a student, I thought I was quite intellectual and smart. There was this advertisement for St. Bruno tobacco. Back then I didn't smoke cigarettes, but I thought having a pipe would be very cool — after all, even Einstein had a pipe.
The ad showed an ordinary-looking young man walking down a street in England, minding his own business. He takes out his pipe, fills it with St. Bruno tobacco, lights it — and suddenly the irresistible aroma makes women unable to resist him. As he walks past a grocery shop, a beautiful blonde leaps over the counter to follow him. Then past a newsagent, where an equally stunning redhead does the same. Within minutes, a whole bevy of beautiful women is trailing behind him, hanging on his every command. It was the ultimate young man's fantasy.
How absurd! Who would ever believe something so ridiculous? Well… I did. I actually went out and bought some St. Bruno tobacco. I walked down the streets of Cambridge smoking my pipe, proudly waiting for the magic to happen. The only thing that followed me was a dog.
The truth is, we often feel like we're fully in control of our minds — but our minds are constantly being conditioned.
This is why an old Buddhist story is so powerful. It was even the title of my best-selling book in Germany — "The Elephant Who Lost His Happiness" (or "Der Elefant, der sein Glück verlor"). The book became hugely popular there; I was invited onto late-night talk shows because wise and thoughtful people were buying it in droves.
The story tells of a royal elephant that suddenly, for no apparent reason, became cantankerous and naughty. When the king passed by, the elephant would squirt water at him. It would conveniently relieve itself just as the keeper walked behind. Everyone wondered: this had been such a good, well-behaved elephant before — why the sudden change? No medical reason could be found.
Eventually, a wise minister offered to investigate. He sat behind the elephant's stall one night to observe. In the early morning, he discovered the cause: every evening, a group of bandits and bad people met right behind the elephant's stall to plan their crimes — who to rob, who to beat up, who to kill.
Even though the elephant couldn't understand human language, it could still absorb the negative, violent emotions and bad energy from those brigands. That toxic influence had gradually changed its character.
The minister had the thieves arrested. The next day, he arranged for monks to come to the same spot to meditate and chant. Although the elephant couldn't understand Pali, Sinhala, or the meaning of the chants, it could feel the goodness, kindness, and peaceful energy of the monks. That positive influence transformed the elephant, and it became gentle and kind once again.
The lesson is clear: habits are changed not primarily through willpower or resolutions, but through association — spending time with good people. This is the real, powerful form of "brainwashing" that works in our favor.
It's one of the reasons why some people send their husbands (or wives) to a temple for a week-long meditation retreat. When they return, they often feel refreshed and improved — almost like a car that has just been serviced. They have absorbed the positive energy and kindness of the monks and nuns.
In the end, this is how lasting change really happens: by associating with good, kind, and wise people.
Effective Management by Ajahn Brahm 6th Nov 2017
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcseeNZfl3M
**信徒:** 我們會去聽一些鼓舞人心的開示、參加各種課程,並學習新事物。我們會在新年、紀念日、生日,或是任何感到有動力的時刻,下定決心,試著養成幾個好的新習慣。然而,不知怎麼的,一次又一次,我們總是又滑回舊有的模式。
我們要如何打破這個循環——也就是「養成習慣卻最終又打破習慣」的這個習慣呢?
**阿姜布拉姆(Ajahn Brahm):** 在商業領域,有一個廣為人知的廣告經驗法則:你每花一塊錢在廣告上,通常能得到三塊錢的回報。這是業界的標準。那麼,為什麼廣告能如此有效呢?誠實的答案就是「洗腦」。
每當我演講時,我都會很坦白地說:過去這一個小時左右,我其實一直在洗腦你們。特別是當我講一些好笑的故事時——那正是人們放下戒備的時候,心想「喔,他不是認真的」,於是訊息就從底下悄悄溜進去了。
你有沒有注意到,很多電視廣告有多麼愚蠢又平庸?誰會相信那些東西呢?我記得當我還是學生時,自以為很有知識、很聰明。那時候有一則St. Bruno菸草的廣告。當時我並不抽香菸,但我覺得抽菸斗很酷——畢竟連愛因斯坦都抽菸斗。
那則廣告顯示一位長相普通的年輕男子,在英國某條街上悠閒地走著。他拿出菸斗,裝入St. Bruno菸草,點燃——突然間,那股無法抗拒的香氣讓女人們無法自制地被吸引。當他走過一家雜貨店時,一位美麗的金髮女子從櫃檯跳出來跟隨他。接著經過一家報攤,又有一位同樣迷人的紅髮女子也這麼做。短短幾分鐘內,一大群美麗的女人跟在他身後,對他唯命是從。這簡直是年輕男子的終極幻想。
多麼荒謬啊!誰會相信這麼可笑的事?嗯……我相信了。我真的去買了St. Bruno菸草,然後在劍橋的街上抽著菸斗,驕傲地等待魔法發生。結果唯一跟著我的,只有一隻狗。
事實是,我們常常覺得自己完全掌控自己的心——但其實我們的心一直在被條件所制約、組合。
這就是為什麼一個古老的佛教故事如此有力。它甚至成為我在德國的暢銷書書名——《The Elephant Who Lost His Happiness》(德文:Der Elefant, der sein Glück verlor,或譯《忘記幸福的大象》)。這本書在那裡極為暢銷;我被邀請上深夜談話節目,因為許多有智慧、有思想的人大量購買。
這個故事講述一頭皇家大象,突然間毫無明顯理由地變得脾氣暴躁、調皮搗蛋。國王經過時,大象會朝他噴水;飼養員走在後面時,它又剛好排便。大家都納悶:這頭大象之前一直都很乖、很聽話,為什麼突然改變性格?卻找不到任何醫學原因。
最後,一位睿智的大臣(菩薩)自願調查。他一晚坐在大象棚後面觀察。清晨時,他發現原因:每晚,一群強盜和壞人就在大象棚後面聚會,計畫他們的罪行——要搶誰、打誰、甚至殺誰。
雖然大象聽不懂人類語言,但它仍能感受到那些強盜散發出的負面、暴力情緒與壞能量。那種毒害的影響逐漸改變了它的性格。
大臣逮捕了那些小偷。隔天,他安排僧侶們來到同一個地方打坐、誦經。雖然大象聽不懂巴利文、僧伽羅文,或是經文的意義,但它能感受到僧侶們的善良、慈悲與平和能量。那種正面的影響轉變了大象,讓它重新變得溫順、善良。
教訓很清楚:習慣的改變,主要不是靠意志力或下決心,而是透過「結交」——花時間與好人相處。這才是真正強大、對我們有利的「洗腦」形式。
這也是為什麼有些人會把丈夫(或妻子)送到寺廟參加一週的禪修營。當他們回來時,往往感覺煥然一新、改善許多——就像汽車剛保養過一樣。他們吸收了僧侶與尼師的正能量與慈悲。
最終,持久的改變就是這樣發生的:透過與善良、慈悲、有智慧的人相處。
**Effective Management by Ajahn Brahm**
2017年11月6日
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcseeNZfl3M
《如何建立自信》
聽說,香港大學粵語辯論隊曾經有老鬼教導:
‘作為一個辯論員,你首先要有品。 你沒有品,走出來完全沒有自信,辯論什麼?’
一個人要有自信,品要好。
如果是一個慷慨布施的人,佛陀說,他的現世報就是會在任何大眾之中都會有自信(AN5.33)。
一個持戒不傷害自己,不傷害別人的人,佛陀說,現世報也是會在任何大眾之中都有自信(AN5.213)
如果我們傷害自他,人品不好, 義註說,我們很自然就會害怕別人知道自己的不好和壞事.因此是不會有自信的.
反之,我們人品好,做人便會心安理得,具有自信,有面目去見人,不會害怕面對大眾
古阿羅漢那先尊者也說,禪修的果報,也是可以離開恐懼、建立無畏自信的。
如果我們訓練內心的平靜,定力夠深厚;那無論遇到什麼東西,什麼事情,都不能動搖我們的心。我們都不會怕
如果我們訓練智慧,放下對一切事情的執著,去除這個'自我' , 那無論發生什麼事,我們同樣不會怕。
我們不會害怕失去財產,名譽,地位,權力,不會害怕失去肢體和生命,我們無所畏懼.
我們有聽過佛陀和阿羅漢害怕, 顫抖嗎? 不會的,他們已經斷除了一切煩惱。
就算我們還未去到阿羅漢的水平,但因為我們禪修去除自己的自私和煩惱,行事光明磊落, 我們還要怕誰? 鬼神也不怕!
例如要做政客, 大團體的領導人, 國家的領導人; 沒品的話, 還當什麼?
走出來都沒有自信,畏首畏尾, 每天都怕傳媒爆自己的醜聞出來
因此如果要有自信,先要有品.
一有人品,自信自然來
如果沒有品,我們上多少什麼自信課程,提升自信工作坊, 有什麼用? 根本沒有指向問題的核心, 對嗎?
<How to Build Self-Confidence>
It is said that , a senior of the Cantonese debate team at the University of Hong Kong had once taught:
"As a debater, you must first have good conduct. Without good conduct, you step out without any confidence; what is there to debate?"
For a person to have confidence, he must have good conduct.
If someone is generous, the Buddha said their result in this life is that, they will have confidence among the masses (AN 5.33).
For a person who observes precepts, does not harm himself or others, the Buddha also said, will have confidence among the masses (AN 5.213).
If we harm ourselves and others and lack good conduct, it is natural for us to fear that others will know our faults and wrongdoings. Thus, we will not have confidence.
On the contrary, if we have good conduct, we will act with peace of mind, possess confidence, and be able to face others without fear.
The ancient Arahant, the Venerable Nāgasena, also said that the fruits of meditation can help us overcome fear and establish fearless confidence.
If we train our minds to be calm and have deep stillness, nothing that we encounter can shake our mind. We will not be afraid of anything.
If we cultivate wisdom, let go of attachment to everything, and remove the sense of 'self,' then regardless of what happens, we will also not be afraid.
We will not fear losing wealth, reputation, status, or power; we will not fear losing our limbs or life. We will be fearless.
Have you ever heard of the Buddha or the Arahants being afraid or trembling? No, they have already eliminated all defilements.
Even if we have not yet reached the level of Arahants, if we meditate to remove our selfishness and defilements, and act uprightly, who should we fear? Not even ghosts or deities!
For example, to be a politician, a leader of a large organization, or a national leader; if one lacks good conduct, what can they achieve?
They will only step out without confidence, they will be timid and fearful, always afraid that the media will expose their scandals.
Therefore, to have confidence, one must first have good conduct.
Once there is good conduct, confidence will naturally follow.
If there is no character, what use are countless confidence-boosting courses or workshops?
They do not address the core of the problem, right?
之前有一部電影是這樣的
有個人殺了人,於是被囚禁在一個房間裡
誒,但出乎他意料,竟然沒有任何懲罰
房間裡的環境很好,燈光也很足
每天三餐有人送過去
他生活得很快活
有一天,有人送了一個絕佳美女進去房間裡
他起初懷疑,是有什麼詭計嗎?
當相處下來,戒心也放下了,兩個人開始談戀愛,然後生下兒子了
一家人一直過得很美滿幸福
但有一天,他發現老婆死了,孩子也死了
他傷心欲絕,痛不欲生,終日沉浸在地獄般的痛苦之中
那時鏡頭投射到監視的房間裡
那個受害者的家屬們和執法人員一起,滿意地看著這個對這個殺人犯的最重刑罰
佛陀在AN5.30中說,那些可愛,美好的事物;當它們變異變化時,生起愁、悲、苦、憂、絕望—那就是結果
美好的事物是擊倒一個人的武器
佛陀教導我們一切法都不值得執著! (SN35.80)
我們有跟隨佛陀的好心教導嗎?
執著得越多,那就越痛苦,那就越脆弱
執著得越少,那就越快樂,那就越強大
當一切都不去執著,那就是宇宙中最強大的人了
佛教是屬於強者的宗教,同意嗎?
佛陀說,除了漏盡者之外,片刻間自稱沒有心靈疾病的人是非常難得的 (AN4.157)
如果我們有禪修的習慣,就會明白佛陀在說什麼了。
何謂病? 貪、嗔、癡就是病
當我們有貪嗔癡的時候,我們的心必然是沒有快樂的
就算有快樂,也是有缺陷的快樂
真正健康的心靈,是飽滿、滿足、喜悅、清爽、集中、平靜的
我們現在感受一下胸口前的位置,是這樣嗎?
都不是。
證明我們的心不真的健康
其實我們都不該給什麼果位限制著
與其說自己是或不是什麼果位,不如說自己的精神是否健康
如果我們有修習禪定,很自然就會找到這份清涼、無過失的快樂的
我們將體驗到何謂真正的快樂
然後也會體驗到佛陀所說的,自己和他人片刻間心靈上沒有疾病,是很難得的----心無時無刻都處於散亂迷失的狀態
我們都不是什麼阿羅漢,所以如果要維持這份清涼快樂,務必有個禪修業處給心依偎
從早上睜開眼睛,到晚上睡覺,都不斷把心集中在這個禪修業處那裡
那麼我們將能大概體驗到心靈無病的狀態是怎樣的了
The Buddha said:
Except for those who have completely ended the āsavas (taints/mental defilements), it is extremely rare for anyone to be able to claim, even for a single moment, that their mind is free from mental disease. (AN 4.157)
If we have a regular meditation practice, we will understand what the Buddha was pointing to.
What is “disease” (in this context)?
Greed, aversion, and delusion — these are the diseases.
Whenever greed, aversion, or delusion is present in the mind, that mind cannot possibly be truly happy.
Even if there appears to be some happiness, it is a flawed, defective happiness.
A truly healthy mind is one that feels:
- full / complete
- satisfied
- joyful
- fresh and clear
- concentrated
- peaceful
Right now, can we feel the area in front of / around our chest — is it like that?
For most of us, it is not.
This is evidence that our mind is not yet truly healthy.
Actually, we should not let ourselves be confined or defined by any particular stage of awakening .
Rather than saying “I am / am not this or that stage of enlightenment,” it is far more useful to ask:
“Is my mind / mental state healthy right now?”
When we seriously cultivate samādhi (meditative stillness), we will naturally begin to touch this cool, faultless, stainless kind of happiness.
We will come to experience what real happiness actually feels like.
And then we will also truly understand what the Buddha meant when he said it is extremely rare — even for a single moment — for anyone (including ourselves) to be free from mental disease:
because the ordinary untrained mind is almost constantly in a state of scattering, restlessness, and lostness.
None of us is an arahant yet.
Therefore, if we want to sustain this cool, clear, peaceful happiness, we must have a meditation object (kammaṭṭhāna / meditation subject) that the mind can continually lean on / take refuge in.
From the moment we open our eyes in the morning until the moment we fall asleep at night, we keep gently returning and anchoring the mind to that meditation object.
Only then can we begin to have at least some taste of what a “mentally disease-free” state actually feels like.
如果我們要有很穩定且良好的精神健康
就要立即修習禪定
當我們從禪定中獲得快樂和滿足感,就很容易能夠放下全世界
此時,無論我們失去了財富、名譽、權力、地位、還是人
我們都不會受到太大打擊
但如果我們把整副生命交託給禪定?
也很危險
萬一我們因為某些原因而不能進入禪定呢?
那麼我們整個生命就坍塌了!
所以除了訓練禪定,也要培育智慧
去了知一切--包括禪定--的無常、苦、無我,
以放下對一切的執著
那麼就算有一天,我們失去禪定,我們也不會痛苦了
If we want to have stable and good mental health,
we must immediately practice stillness.
When we obtain joy and a sense of fulfillment from stillness, it becomes easy to let go of the whole world.
At that point, whether we lose wealth, reputation, power, status, or people,
we will not be too severely affected.
But what if we entrust our entire life to stillness?
That is also dangerous.
What if, for some reason, we are unable to enter stillness?
Then our whole life would collapse!
Therefore, besides training in stillness, we must also cultivate wisdom—
to understand the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self of all things, including stillness itself—
so as to relinquish attachment to everything.
Then even if one day we lose our meditative stillness, we will still not suffer.
《佛法是平靜的》《Dhamma is peaceful》
“...Do not play around too much;
the teachers are becoming fewer every day.
If we only practice a little, it will all turn worldly.
As Luang Pu Mun predicted,
the forest monasteries will become village temples,
village temples will become places of the dead,
and the dead will turn to madness.
He predicted it all.
Look at how hot the world is now;
when one approaches the monks,
when one sees the teachers,
the heart feels at ease…
See?
Those who come close to the teachers feel calm and peaceful.
Just seeing the temple,
seeing the behavior of the teachers,
the mind becomes serene.
If one goes out into the world,
one will soon run back to the Dhamma again.
Observe this;
if the heart is not burning, it wouldn’t run back.
It is very chaotic in these times.
Progress and decline coexist.
What more can we achieve?
Even within families, there’s competition
to be the prominent one in the household.
The same goes for leadership;
there’s a struggle for the chair, seeking prominence.
Soon one is removed from position,
and shortly after, one is appointed again.
In this world, when you think about it, where is happiness?
There seems to be no happiness.
If you truly reflect,
go and contemplate this carefully….”
“...不要玩得太過火;
師父們每天都在變少。
如果只稍微修行,將會完全變成世俗。
如同阿姜曼所預言,
森林寺廟將變成村莊廟宇,
村莊廟宇將變成死者的地方,
而死者將變得瘋狂。
他預言的一切都已經成真。
看看現在世界是多麼炎熱;
當一個人接近僧侶,
當一個人看到師父,
心情就會感到安慰……
看!
那些接近師父的人都感到心靈的平靜。
光是看到寺廟,
看到師父的舉止,
心靈就會變得寧靜。
如果一個人走入世俗,
不久就會跑回來尋求法。
觀察一下;
如果心不焦慮,就不會跑回來。
如今的時代真的很混亂。
進步與衰退並存。
我們能得到什麼呢?
甚至在家庭中,大家也在競爭
成為家庭中的佼佼者。
同樣的道理也適用於領導;
大家在爭奪地位,追求卓越。
不久就會被罷免,
不久又會被重新任命。
在這個世界上,想來想去,哪裡有快樂?
似乎沒有快樂。
如果你真正反思,
請仔細思考這一點……”
Dharma Teachings
Luang Pu Lee Kusaltharo
Wat Phu Phadaeng, Udon Thani Province
cred. to Ajahn Golf 阿贊高爾夫 อาจารย์กอล์ฟ
“...A heart that never protects itself,
a heart that seeks only external things,
chasing after money, possessions,
and various treasures,
until it forgets itself,
forgetting to safeguard its own well-being.
It allows the heart, which should be preserved,
to become something else entirely, day after day,
seeking this thing and that!
Searching only for what nourishes the body,
what elevates status and material wealth,
and dedicating this heart to those pursuits.
When this heart is directed elsewhere,
it cannot protect itself!
When faced with various events,
the disturbances that come can drive that good heart to madness instantly!
Look at your own heart, everyone;
if it is not protected, it will end up like that.
If you use this heart to devote yourself to external things,
devoting only to the outside and not reflecting inward
to care for yourself—meaning to care for your heart—
do not only focus on preserving the body….”
“...一顆從不保護自己的心,
一顆只尋求外在事物的心,
追逐金錢、財物,
和各種寶藏,
直到忘記了自己,
忘記了要維護自己的幸福。
它讓這顆本應受到保護的心,
變成完全不同的樣子,日復一日,
只尋找這個那個!
只追求滋養身體的事物,
提升地位和物質財富,
把這顆心都投入到那些追求中。
當這顆心被引導到其他地方時,
它就無法保護自己!
面對各種事件時,
那些干擾會瞬間讓那顆好心變得瘋狂!
各位請看看自己的心;
如果不加以保護,它就會變成那樣。
如果你將這顆心投入到外在事物中,
只專注於外面,而不反思向內
去照顧自己——即照顧自己的心——
不要僅僅專注於保護身體……”
Phra Ajahn Wanchai Vijitto
Wat Phu Sangkhaw, Udon Thani Province
我們生於世間,並不是什麼主角
小時候父母當然會把我們當成主角啦!把我們寵到上天,讓我們自我感覺良好一下
但當我們年歲漸長;便會發現,這個世界並不是圍著我們來轉
我們圍著世界來轉就差不多,我們根本無法隨心所欲地掌控
每個人最愛的都是自己(UD.41) ,他們有什麼理由要處處迎合我們?
如果我們的心是傾向於世間,那麼每次出生都只會是以悲劇收場:老、 病、 死、 求不得、 碰見不喜歡的東西、 和喜歡的東西分離
我們的願望不一定能成真
不一定會有人來護持支持我們
沒有所謂的主角光環,只有痛苦光環
如果我們的心是傾向於涅槃,那麼主角光環就有可能了
心是主角
正見、正思維、正語、正業、正命、正精進、正念、正定--這八支聖道是心的支持者
我們決心夠強,心意堅定;就必定能在此生戰勝煩惱,獲得最高且永久的涅槃之樂
世間依然無法被我們掌控
但世間對我們好,我們一樣快樂;世間對我們不好,我們一樣快樂
唯有這樣我們的人生才以大團圓結局告終,這才是主角光環
We Are Not the Protagonists of This World
When we are born into this world, we are not the main characters.
As children, our parents may treat us like the protagonists—spoiling us, making us feel special. But as we grow older, we realize the world does not revolve around us.
If anything, we revolve around the world.
We cannot control everything as we wish.
Everyone loves themselves the most (UD.41)—why should they cater to our every desire?
If Our Hearts Lean Toward the World, Every Birth Ends in Tragedy
Aging, sickness, death, unfulfilled desires, encountering what we dislike, separation from what we love—these are inevitable.
Our wishes may not come true.
No one is obligated to support us.
There is no "protagonist’s halo"—only a "halo of suffering."
But If Our Hearts Lean Toward Nibbāna, the Protagonist’s Halo Becomes Possible
The mind is the true protagonist.
The Noble Eightfold Path—Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right stillness—are its supporters.
If our resolve is strong and our minds are steadfast, we can overcome defilements in this very life and attain the highest, everlasting bliss of Nibbāna.
The world still cannot be controlled.
But if the world treats us well, we are happy.
If the world treats us poorly, we are still happy.
Only then does our life conclude with a true "happy ending"—this is the real protagonist’s halo.
When we see people weeping uncontrollably, having mental breakdowns, or even committing suicide out of despair—let this serve as our warning.
If we don't learn to control our greedy little hand , this could easily be our future too.
Our minds' hands are always reaching outward—
Eyes see something pleasant → grab it to ourselves
Ears hear something pleasant → grab it to ourselves
Nose smells something pleasant → grab it to ourselves
Tongue tastes something pleasant → grab it to ourselves
Body touches something pleasant → grab it to ourselves
Mind perceives something pleasant → grab it to ourselves
"Restrain Your Greedy Little Hands!"
If our minds are too naughty, snatching too much things for themselves, we’re actually just snatching equally heavy burdens to ourselves. Even without any major crisis, this alone can push us to the brink of mental collapse!
And when the things we cling to change or disappear?
Sigh... Now we want to die!
So remind our mind again:
"Restrain Your Greedy Little Hands!"
如果我們看見一些人痛哭流淚、精神崩潰、傷心自殺,應以此為戒
如果我們不管好我們的小手,未來我們就很可能會是這樣
我們的心啊,總喜歡向外伸
眼見到什麼好的,就伸去抓來給自己
耳朵聽到什麼好的,就伸去抓來給自己
鼻子嗅到什麼好的,就伸去抓來給自己
舌頭嚐到什麼好的,就伸去抓來給自己
身體接觸到什麼好的,就伸去抓來給自己
心感知到什麼好的,就伸去抓來給自己
‘管好你的小手!’
如果我們心太頑皮,抓太多東西給自己,那等於抓很沉重的壓力給自己;沒有發生什麼特別事,單單只是這樣,已經快要精神崩潰了!
假如我們抓緊的東西產生變化,或直接失去他
唉!要自殺了!
所以要提醒心:‘管好你的小手!’
"...If the body is tired, there is time to rest,
time to eat, and the body will feel better.
But if the mind is tired, that’s concerning.
When both the body and mind are exhausted, what can we do?
In our lives, amidst all this fatigue,
the value of life seems almost non-existent.
Therefore, practicing the mind is meditating;
it is a way to rest the mind, to empower our hearts,
to relieve the fatigue from our thoughts,
from the countless problems we face..."
"...如果身體疲憊,就有時間休息,
有時間吃飯,身體會好起來。
但如果心靈疲憊,這就值得擔心了。
當身心都疲憊時,我們該怎麼辦?
在我們的生活中,面對這種疲憊,
生活的價值幾乎不存在。
因此,修心就是禪修;
這是一種讓心休息的方法,讓我們的心靈得到力量,
從思緒中的疲憊得到緩解,
得以再面對無數的問題..."
Luang Pu Uthai Siritharo
就好像我們玩網上捉棋遊戲
有些人很衰的,要輸的時候就立即切斷連接😂
然後就能保全過往的優良戰績
同樣地,當我們在生活中感到快撐不住的時候,要立即切斷
就如一位天子對佛陀說,佛陀確實發現了擁擠中的空間(SN2.7)
擁擠就是我們的煩惱和痛苦,空間就是禪定
禪定是我們生活上喘息的空間,因為每個人都能從中找到滿足感和快樂....
It's like when we play online chess games...
Some players abruptly disconnect when they sense that they are about to lose 😂
just to preserve their flawless win records.
Similarly, when life becomes overwhelming - we must learn to "disconnect".
As the deva told the Buddha in SN 2.7:
The Awakened One truly discovered space within the cramped.
• "the cramped" is our kilesas (defilements) and dukkha (suffering)
• "Space" is stillness
stillness becomes our breathing space in life,
because everyone can find contentment joythrough it...
如果身體長時間工作不休息,就會壞掉
同樣地,如果心長時間造作而不休息,也會壞掉
貪嗔癡的造作特別損耗能量。當心不斷散亂下去,越不受控,便越接近瘋掉
到了一個程度,就會失控而患上情緒疾病、 精神病
Ajahn Brahm 常教導,放鬆~到極點~ 放下~到極點~心就會慢慢地平靜和安定下來
把一杯水拿起,然後緊盯和專注,永遠不能使其定下來
但把它放下,它就會慢慢,慢慢地平靜下來
禪定的修習就是心靈的休息
If the body works continuously without rest, it will break down.
Similarly, if the mind constantly engages in fabrication without rest, it too will break down.
The fabrications of greed, hatred, and delusion are especially draining. When the mind grows increasingly restless and uncontrolled, it edges closer to madness.
At a certain point, it spirals out of control—leading to emotional disorders or mental illness.
Ajahn Brahm often teaches: "Relax~to the max~ . Let go~to the max~."
Only then will the mind gradually settle into stillness.
If we pick up a cup of water and stare at it intently, trying to force it to become still, it will never calm.
But if we simply set it down, it will slowly, slowly grow tranquil and still on its own.
The practice of meditation is rest for the mind.
如果我們和一般人說修行修行,這未免太過宗教化了
修行是什麼?其實僅僅是提升EQ 而已😂
戒限制了我們粗糙的負面情緒,大致地管理好我們的情緒
定限制了我們中等的負面情緒,中等地管理好我們的情緒
慧限制和去除我們微細的負面情緒,細微地管理好我們的情緒
佛陀和阿羅漢EQ 爆燈!僅此而已
If we tell ordinary people about "Dhamma practice," it might sound too religious.
So what is "Dhamma practice" really? It’s simply about improving EQ (Emotional Quotient). !😂
Precepts (Sīla) restrain our coarse negative emotions, roughly managing our emotional state.
Stillness (Samādhi) restrains our moderate negative emotions, moderately managing our emotions.
Wisdom (Paññā) restricts and removes our subtle negative emotions, finely managing our emotions.
The Buddha and Arahants? They’ve EQ to the max~ that’s all there is to it!
當看見天空烏雲密布,我們就知道稍後必定會下雨
怎辦辦?當然是‘未雨綢繆’ ,收拾好衣服,避免它們被水沾濕
同樣地,我們出生,就知道未來必然會老病死
怎樣辦?當然是‘未雨綢繆’
Ajahn Golf 教導:‘成為初果就是讓我們的心保持舒服。然後就是思維我們朝著死亡的方向去。然後當我們死了之後我們什麼都帶不走。所以初果才不會對世間的財富有很大的慾望。 ’
讓我們內心保持舒服,就是培育定力,不斷去除讓心燥熱的煩惱。
‘思維我們朝著死亡的方向去’ 就是修智慧,Ajahn Golf 有教導思維這個身體會老病死以去除煩惱和執著
不斷修下去,就算老病死來臨,我們再不會顫抖和痛苦了
這是真‘未雨綢繆’
而且,就算我們不是初果,都逐漸靠近初果了
為什麼? Ajahn Suchart 說,初果聖人的特質就是不會怕老病死
When we see dark clouds gathering in the sky, we know it will surely rain later.
What should we do? Of course, we should "prepare for rain before it falls"—put away the clothes to prevent them from getting wet.
Similarly, from the moment we are born, we know that aging, sickness, and death are inevitable.
What should we do? Of course, we should "prepare for rain before it falls."
Ajahn Golf teaches: "Becoming a stream-enterer (Sotāpanna) means keeping our minds at ease. Then, we contemplate that we are moving toward death. When we die, we can take nothing with us. That’s why a stream-enterer no longer has strong desires for worldly wealth."
Keeping our minds at ease means cultivating stillness (samādhi) and continuously removing the defilements that agitate the heart.
"Contemplating that we are moving toward death" is the practice of wisdom (paññā). Ajahn Golf teaches us to reflect on how this body will age, sicken, and die, in order to eliminate defilements and attachments.
If we keep practicing, even when aging, sickness, and death come, we will no longer tremble or suffer.
This is true "preparation before the rain falls."
Moreover, even if we are not yet stream-enterers, we are gradually moving closer to becoming one.
Why? Ajahn Suchart says that a defining trait of a stream-enterer is that they no longer fear aging, sickness, or death.
有一句話叫“知己知彼,百戰百勝”
知己,就是我們要認識自己有什麼執著
一知道,就要立即斬斷它們
因為這些執著正正就是造成我們痛苦的禍根
如果不斬斷它們,未來必然會痛哭流淚的
知彼,就是要認識到一切人事物的本質
它們都是無常的、不讓人滿意的、不能被掌控的
關於人,我們日常所接觸到的都是凡夫。我們凡夫是甚麼?就是煩惱、貪嗔癡很厚的人、很自私的人
幾乎所有人都沒有戒德(SN56)
而且,根據義註,凡夫的其中一個特質就是會妒忌,聖者不會。
一旦我們認識到他們的真實本質,我們就不會痛苦咯
他們變,意料之內
他們不聽我們的,意料之內
至親和朋友傷害我們,意料之內
看似很善良的人傷害我們,意料之內
無論魔王製造什麼苦難給我們,我們都不會痛苦
此為百戰百勝
佛法是去除痛苦、獲得快樂的最高藝術
There’s a saying: **"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."**
**"Know yourself"** means recognizing our own attachments.
The moment we become aware of them, we must cut them off immediately—
because these attachments are the very roots of our suffering.
If we don’t sever them, we’ll surely end up in tears in the future.
**"Know your enemy"** means understanding the true nature of all people, things, and situations.
They are all impermanent, unsatisfactory, and beyond our control.
As for people, those we interact with daily are ordinary beings. And what are ordinary beings?
They are people thick with defilements—greed, hatred, and delusion—deeply selfish.
Almost none of them possess moral precepts (*SN 56*).
Moreover, according to the commentaries, one defining trait of ordinary people is envy—something a noble one would never feel.
Once we see their true nature, we won’t suffer!
If they change? **Expected.**
If they don’t listen to us? **Expected.**
If close relatives or friends hurt us? **Expected.**
If seemingly kind people harm us? **Expected.**
No matter what suffering Māra throws at us, we won’t be distressed.
This is how we remain undefeated.
The Dhamma is the highest art for removing suffering and attaining happiness.
我們過去鋪墊的學歷、努力,隨時會付諸流水哦。
聽過上一個年代, 有一位中國大陸的醫生。 他做到一間醫院的院長。
後來政局動盪,他被迫逃難到香港。
然而,香港並不承認他的醫學資歷;他唯有從低做起,做搬運工…
我們隨時都會經歷這些
如果我們沒有學習過佛法,可能會痛不欲生
如果我們有修習佛法,鬆開對學歷、地位、名望等等的執著,這些就僅僅是小兒科咯~
All the academic qualifications and hard work we've accumulated in the past could vanish in an instant.
There was a story about a doctor from mainland China in the previous generation. He had worked his way up to become the director of a hospital.
But when political turmoil struck, he was forced to flee to Hong Kong.
However, Hong Kong didn’t recognize his medical credentials. With no other choice, he had to start from the bottom—working as a laborer…
This could happen to any of us at any time.
If we’ve never studied the Buddha’s teachings, such a situation might feel unbearable.
But if we’ve practiced the Dhamma and learned to let go of our attachment to degrees, status, reputation, and the like—then these setbacks become mere child’s play~
活在這個世界,如果不夠警覺、謹慎於自己的貪慾,是非常危險的
如果我們貪求和執著財富;當我們因為一些事情而失去大量財富,會發生什麼事?
如果我們貪求和執著名譽;當別人說我們是非、詆毀我們,會發生什麼事?
如果我們貪求和執著權力;當別人不受我們控制,會發生什麼事?
如果我們貪求和執著地位;當我們被迫從這個位置退下來,會發生什麼事?
如果我們貪求和執著別人的尊重;當別人不尊重我們、貶低我們,會發生什麼事?
如果我們貪求和執著一個人;當他不理我們、和我們絕交、離開我們、背叛我們、跟別人跑了、甚至死去,會發生什麼事?
有些人痛苦到要自殺了
微細一點,貪求和執著眼睛、耳朵、鼻子、舌頭、身體的感官享樂也是危險的
我們想要看球賽,假如搶不到票,會發生什麼事?
我們想要聽演唱會,假如搶不到票,會發生什麼事?
我們想要回家嗅香薰,假如要工作一直回不了家,會發生什麼事?
我們想要吃美食,假如吃不到,會發生什麼事?
我們想要躺在家中舒服的床和沙發,假如要工作一直回不了家,會發生什麼事?
貪,就是內心的痕癢
無論貪些什麼都會帶來內心的痛苦和壓力;因為沒有一樣東西是我們掌控得了的。
我們把快樂寄託在這些外在的東西,精神健康肯定不會穩定的
貪多多,就痛苦多多
貪一點點,就痛苦一點點
不貪就不會痛苦
但有一種快樂,是絕對安全而且沒有副作用的;那就是禪定的快樂
這種快樂源自於放下和放鬆的力量、心的集中
它是舒服、平靜的極樂,心像開冷氣般清涼
心充滿正能量和穩定性;不受任何外界的好壞所動搖
如果誰能安住於禪定當中,他將能整生都享有絕佳的精神健康
**Living in this world is extremely dangerous if we are not vigilant and cautious about our greed and desires.**
If we crave and cling to wealth—what happens when we lose a great deal of it due to circumstances?
If we crave and cling to reputation—what happens when others slander or defame us?
If we crave and cling to power—what happens when others refuse to be controlled by us?
If we crave and cling to status—what happens when we are forced to step down from that position?
If we crave and cling to others’ respect—what happens when they disrespect or belittle us?
If we crave and cling to a person—what happens when they ignore us, cut ties with us, leave us, betray us, run off with someone else, or even die?
Some people become so distressed that they contemplate suicide.
On a subtler level, craving and clinging to sensory pleasures—through the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and body—is also dangerous.
We want to watch a sports game—what happens if we can’t get tickets?
We want to attend a concert—what happens if we can’t get tickets?
We want to go home and enjoy aromatic scents—what happens if work keeps us away?
We want to eat delicious food—what happens if we can’t have it?
We want to lounge on our comfortable bed or sofa at home—what happens if work prevents us from returning?
Greed is the itchiness in the mind.
No matter what we crave, it brings suffering and stress—because nothing is truly under our control.
If we base our happiness on external things, our mental health will never be stable.
The more we crave, the more we suffer.
The less we crave, the less we suffer.
If we don’t crave, we don’t suffer.
Yet there is one kind of happiness that is absolutely safe and free from side effects—the happiness of stillness (jhāna).**
This happiness arises from the power of letting go, relaxation, and mental focus.
It is a blissful, peaceful comfort—cool and refreshing, like an air-conditioner turned on.
The mind is filled with immense positive energy and stability, unshaken by external circumstances, good or bad.
Whoever can always abide in stillness will enjoy excellent mental health for their entire life.
八風吹不動
不是那麼容易的
什麼是八風?
利(得到好處、利益)
衰 (失去好處、利益):
毀(名聲受損)
譽(有好名聲)
稱(被他人稱讚)
譏(被他人譏諷、批評)
苦(遭受身心上的痛苦、折磨.)
樂(享受身心上的快樂、幸福.)
要超越這八風,要有到達禪那水平的禪定
如此,心才會足夠地滿足和快樂,不再尋找外在的東西去填補內心
此時內心足夠強壯和平穩,什麼風也吹不動😂
所以本生經義注 (JaA.355)形容禪那的境界為「不被八世間法所動搖的狀態
**"Unshaken by the Eight Winds" – It's Not That Easy**
**What are the "Eight Winds"?**
1. **Gain** (obtaining benefits, advantages)
2. **Loss** (losing benefits, advantages)
3. **Disrepute** (damage to reputation)
4. **Fame** (attaining a good reputation)
5. **Praise** (being praised by others)
6. **Blame** (being criticized or ridiculed)
7. **Suffering** (enduring physical or mental pain)
8. **Pleasure** (experiencing happiness and joy)
To rise above these "Eight Winds," one must attain **jhāna-level meditation**.
Only then will the mind be truly content and joyful, no longer seeking external things to fill an inner void.
At this stage, the mind becomes strong and steady—unshaken by any "wind"! 😂
This is why the **Jātaka Commentary (JaA.355)** describes jhāna as:
**"A state unshaken by the eight worldly conditions."**
現代人都處於心靈非常不健康的狀態;有大師父說,這是禪定、專注力很短促的年代
當禪定不多,也代表精神健康不佳
心一直跑來跑去,就像熱鍋上的螞蟻那樣躁動痛苦
也不斷生起煩惱:生氣、妒忌、吝嗇、傷心、憂鬱、痛苦、小氣、貪慾、散亂、昏沉.....
我們看看自己,一天下來;負面情緒佔據了多少%
對大多數人來說,應該是大部份吧?
所以我們應該多多修習禪定
當我們的心有禪定時,心是清爽、快樂、滿足、平靜、集中的
這才是良好精神健康的狀態啊!
我們一天下來,有多少%的時間是有禪定的?
Modern people are generally in a state of poor mental health. A great master once said that this is an era of little stillness and short concentration.
When stillness is scarce, it reflects poor mental health.
The mind constantly wanders restlessly, like ants on a hot pan — agitated and suffering.
Defilements also arise continuously: anger, jealousy, stinginess, sadness, depression, suffering, greed, restlessness, sloth and torpor…
Let’s reflect on ourselves: what percentage of a day is occupied by negative emotions?
For most people, it’s probably the majority, isn’t it?
Therefore, we should diligently practice stillness.
When our mind attains meditative stillness, it becomes refreshed, joyful, content, peaceful, and focused.
This is the state of good mental health!
How much of our day is actually spent in stillness?
Devotee: How can we serve without getting tired?
Ajahn Brahm: By getting inspired.
Look, I remember going back to the Buddhist Fellowship. I remember years and years ago that I think Angie was organizing these concerts, trying to find unique ways of presenting the Dhamma. So she had this little show—where was it held? The first show was at Victoria Concert Hall. There was a matinee in the afternoon and an evening show as well.
I arrived to actually give a Friday night talk in Nekon Maru, get up at 3:00 a.m., just shower, get to the airport and leave at 4:00, then get on the early morning flight, arrive in Singapore just before midday, and then go straight to the theater and find out what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. I didn't really know what I was up to. They said, “You don't have to worry, you don't have to learn any script. There comes a time in this kind of show where one of the actors says, ‘Yes, I had real trouble with my relationship until I read this book called Opening the Door of Your Heart by this amazing author Ajahn Brahm,’” and that was my cue to come on the stage. Okay, it was kitschy, but I don't mind. Then I just spoke a little bit about no problems in life and how to solve them. That's kind of fun to do something interesting I've never done before.
But then after that, it went down okay, then the whole cast and everybody went off for dinner. I don't eat dinner, and I was exhausted. I don't know if you remember that—so exhausted. I said, “Look, leave me alone. I'm just going to find a nice quiet place in the theater and meditate.” And that's actually how I get rid of tiredness.
I found one of the exits was actually closed, so it was like going down there—no one was going to be disturbing me. It was like being in a cave; it was really nice. I sat down and meditated for an hour. When I came out of that meditation, I had full energy, no tiredness at all.
That's how often, when I've really been put on the spot and you are exhausted—you're tired, you know, I'm a human being, I get exhausted too—that's how I energize myself. When you know how to do that, it's much better than coffee. You can actually get the energy from inside. It's really happy energy, sharp energy, and really fantastic.
So if you want to serve big time, see if you can find some time during the middle of the day—morning or afternoon—just 10 or 15 minutes. Sit down and really get yourself still. All the energy comes back, okay, to carry on with this.
The other simile which I often give to show how powerful this is was when I did my final exams at university. In those days it was crazy—the whole of your university career was down to a series of final exams. Everything else you did for those last three years in university life in the UK counted for nothing. Everything was down to the series of finals. In theoretical physics it was a 3-hour exam in the morning, hour for lunch, another 3-hour paper in the afternoon—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Today that would be intense; I don't think they could do that these days—it's against human rights and all psychological torture.
The problem was I didn't know at the time that I was destined to be a monk, otherwise I wouldn't have worried so much. But imagine doing a 3-hour paper on quantum physics in the morning—you're exhausted. So I went back to my room. I never had any lunch—I had a big breakfast in the morning, I was going to have dinner in the evening (I wasn't on eight precepts as a student)—but lunchtime I went back to my room and I meditated for half an hour. I actually did that. It was amazing, just what a smart thing to do.
When I sat down to meditate, I closed my eyes, made myself comfortable. The first thing which came into my mind was the morning exam: Did I answer that question correctly? Did I have enough explanation? What a waste of time—thoughts like that are. The paper's already been submitted; you can't change it now. It's done. Why worry about the past? And especially, you had another paper in astrophysics of the galaxy in the afternoon. I thought, my goodness—when I started thinking of the afternoon exam, I let go of the morning exam. Should I get up my books and do some revision? But when I was a school teacher I advised people: never do last-minute revision, because whatever you look up before the exam never ever comes up in the exam. Never. It's a total waste of time.
Also, I realized I was tired. I didn't want to waste my energy; I needed to recharge. So I let go of the future exam. You know what this is—it's meditation: let go of the past, let go of the future. Then I was in the present moment. And that's when it shocked me at that time—I was shaking. It's nervous; the final exams are really important. I never knew that before—there's so much in your body you don't know what's happening. I don't usually shake; I'm not usually that nervous, but I had good reason to be nervous. When I saw myself shaking, it wasn't that hard to actually be aware of my body and quieten it down. The shaking stopped, so my body was still; it could actually just regenerate its energies.
The last thing which I noticed every day at lunchtime when I was doing these exams—again it surprised me—was how exhausted my brain was. It's hard to get similes, but I remember when I wrote about this in one of my books, I said it's like—for those of you who like English tea—you have a tea bag that's already been used; it's got no oomph in it anymore. You should use a new tea bag instead of just trying to get some more caffeine out of the old tea bag—it's all been used up. That's how my brain felt: exhausted, tired, no energy. But then all you did was just be still and be kind to that exhausted brain, and you feel all the energy coming back up again—just like sitting in that quiet alcove in Victoria Theatre in Singapore. All the energy starts coming back up again.
It was only half an hour meditation, not that long, but when I went into the afternoon examination, oh, I was energized—but really good energy, not like caffeine energy, still shaking and just worrying like anything. Focused energy.
That's the one thing I remember: the people, my friends who were doing the same exams in the afternoon, they thought I was cheating. They never told me at the time, but every afternoon I was the only student who would go into the afternoon exam room smiling. How can you be smiling in such an important exam? They thought you must be cheating. I kind of was, but in a legitimate way—I knew how to just generate energy in my mind.
So that's how you can do anything in this world without getting so tired and just give yourself energy to do stuff.
A couple of years ago there was one of my friends—I deliberately try to make efforts to get to know people of other religions, especially leaders—and one of those leaders here in Perth was Moshe Bernstein. He was a rabbi, and he's a bit of an extreme rabbi—he's not well respected by the usual rabbis; he's a bit left of centre. But what I really liked about him, when I first started talking to him, I said, “You know, we Buddhists believe in rebirth,” and he said, “So do I.” I never knew that Jewish religion believed in rebirth. I remember asking one of the other senior rabbis here in Perth, “Oh no, no, we don't believe in rebirth. Rabbi Bernstein is a bit of a troublemaker.” That's what I got to like him.
Anyway, somehow or other he got a job as a chaplain in Carmel School in Dianella here—that's a Jewish school. He said they were looking really, really badly prepared for the Year 12 exams—university entrance. “Can I come and help?” So I went there and just talked to the Year 12s during the exams, and I'm telling them the same simile which I just gave to you about learning how to meditate: let go of the past, let go of the future, be aware of your body, relax it, re-energize your mind.
I got this beautiful letter back from the principal a few weeks later: that year Carmel School won the prize for the top high school Year 12 exams in the whole of Western Australia. It worked.
So why can't the Buddhist Fellowship have all these kids coming and getting the best scores in all the exams in the whole of Singapore, or in Vietnam, or in Bangladesh—the very best scores? Why not? You can use your meditation to actually know how to use your mind, and you don't get tired and exhausted. You can learn how to empower the mind.
2024 March - April (7/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7r4y6VlC8&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=7
信徒:我們如何能服務他人而不感到疲倦?
阿姜·布拉姆:靠獲得鼓舞。
聽著,我記得回到佛教聯誼會的時候。很多很多年前,我記得好像是Angie在組織這些音樂會,她試圖找出獨特的方式來呈現佛法。所以她辦了一個小演出——第一次是在哪裡舉行的?在維多利亞音樂廳。有下午的日場和晚上的夜場。
我其實是去Nekon Maru做週五晚間開示的,凌晨3點起床,簡單沖個澡,4點到機場,搭早班飛機,接近中午時抵達新加坡,然後直接去劇場,看看自己到底該做什麼。我真的不知道自己在幹什麼。他們說:「你不用擔心,不用背任何劇本。在這場演出中,會有一個時刻,一位演員說:『是的,我的情感關係曾經遇到很大困難,直到我讀了這本書——《開啟心門》,作者是了不起的阿姜·布拉姆,那就是你上台的提示。」好吧,有點俗氣,但我不在意。然後我就簡單講了一下人生的問題,以及如何解決問題。做一些以前從沒做過的有趣事情,挺開心的。
之後演出還算順利,全體演員和大家就去吃晚餐。我不吃晚餐,而且我累極了。你們不知道有沒有記得——真的非常累。我說:「不用打擾我,我要找個劇場裡安靜的地方打坐。」這其實就是我消除疲倦的方法。
我發現有一個出口被封了,我就走下去——不會有人來打擾我。就像走進一個山洞一樣,非常舒服。我坐下來打坐了一小時。從那次禪修出來後,我充滿活力,一點疲倦都沒有。
這就是我常在壓力很大、精疲力盡的時候——你累了,你知道,我也是人,我也會累——用來重新充能的方法。當你懂得怎麼做,這比喝咖啡好太多了。你可以從內在獲得能量。那是真正快樂的能量、敏銳的能量,非常棒。
所以,如果你想大規模地服務他人,試著在一天當中——早上或下午——找10到15分鐘的時間,坐下來,讓自己真正安靜下來。所有的能量就會回來了,這樣你就能繼續下去。
我經常用另一個比喻來說明這有多強大,那就是我大學期末考試的時候。那個年代很瘋狂——整個大學生涯就取決於一系列的期末考試。你在英國大學最後三年做的所有其他事情都不算數,全看這一系列的期末考。在理論物理系,是早上三小時考試,中午一小時吃飯,下午再三小時考卷——從星期一到星期六。如今這強度太高了,我覺得現在不會允許這樣做,違反人權、心理折磨。
問題是那時我還不知道自己註定要當和尚,不然我就不會那麼擔心了。想像一下,早上考了三小時量子物理——你已經累壞了。所以我回到房間。我中午不吃午餐——早上吃大早餐,晚上才吃晚餐(當學生時我還沒持八戒)——但午餐時間我回房間打坐半小時。我真的這麼做了。太聰明了,實在是明智之舉。
坐下打坐時,我閉上眼睛,讓自己舒服一點。第一個浮現的想法就是早上的考試:那題我答對了嗎?解釋夠不夠?這種想法真是浪費時間——考卷已經交了,現在改不了了。已經結束了,何必擔心過去?更何況下午還有銀河天體物理的考試。我心想,天啊——一想到下午的考試,我就放下了早上的考試。要不要拿起書來複習一下?但我當老師時就建議學生:千萬不要考前臨時抱佛腳,因為你臨時看的東西絕對不會出現在考卷上。絕對不會。完全浪費時間。
我也意識到自己累了,不想浪費能量,我需要充電。所以我放下未來的考試。你知道這是什麼——這就是禪修:放下過去,放下未來。然後我就安住於當下。那一刻讓我震驚——我全身在發抖。緊張啊,期末考試真的很重要。我以前從不知道——身體裡有那麼多你不知道正在發生的事。我平常不會發抖,也不常那麼緊張,但那次有充分理由緊張。當我察覺自己在發抖時,要覺知身體、讓它平靜下來其實並不難。抖動停了,身體安靜下來,就能重新產生能量。
每天午餐時間打坐時,我注意到的最後一件事——再次讓我驚訝——是大腦有多疲憊。很難找到合適的比喻,但我記得在書裡寫過:對喜歡喝英式紅茶的人來說,就像用過的茶包,已經沒有味道了。你應該換一個新茶包,而不是硬要從舊茶包再榨出一點咖啡因——都榨乾了。我的大腦就是這種感覺:疲憊、沒力、沒能量。但只要安靜下來,對那疲憊的大腦慈悲一點,你就會感覺能量又回來了——就像坐在新加坡維多利亞劇場那個安靜的角落一樣,所有能量又開始湧現。
只是半小時禪修,不算長,但我走進下午考場時,哇,我充滿活力——是真正的好能量,不是咖啡因那種還在發抖、胡思亂想的能量,而是專注的能量。
我記得一件事:下午考試時,我的朋友們都覺得我在作弊。他們當時沒告訴我,但每天下午只有我一個學生是笑著走進考場的。在這麼重要的考試裡怎麼還能笑?他們覺得我一定在作弊。我確實有點像,但那是合法的——我知道如何在心裡產生能量。
這就是你如何能在世間做任何事而不那麼容易疲倦,並且給自己能量去完成事情的方法。
幾年前,我有一位朋友——我刻意努力去認識其他宗教的人,尤其是領袖——珀斯這裡有一位叫Moshe Bernstein的拉比,他有點極端,不太被主流拉比尊重,有點左傾。但我第一次跟他聊天時我很喜歡他,我說:「你知道,我們佛教徒相信輪迴。」他說:「我也是。」我從不知道猶太教也相信輪迴。我記得問過珀斯另一位資深拉比,他說:「哦不不,我們不相信輪迴。Bernstein拉比有點搗亂。」這反而讓我更喜歡他。
反正他後來在Dianella的Carmel學校——一所猶太學校——當了校牧。他說學生們對12年級考試(大學入學考)準備得非常差。「我可以去幫忙嗎?」所以我去了,在考試期間跟12年級學生講話,講的就是剛才我跟你們說的同樣比喻:學習禪修,放下過去、放下未來,覺知身體、放鬆它,重新為心充電。
幾週後我收到校長一封很棒的信:那一年Carmel學校拿下了整個西澳大利亞州高中12年級考試的第一名。真的有效。
所以,為什麼佛教聯誼會不能讓孩子們來這裡,拿到新加坡、越南或孟加拉全國考試的最好成績呢?為什麼不行?你可以用禪修來真正懂得如何運用你的心,你不會那麼容易疲倦和耗盡。你可以學習如何賦予心力量。
2024年3-4月(7/19)|9天禪修營|阿姜·布拉姆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT7r4y6VlC8&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=7
Devotee: I have an academic interest in neuroscience and neurochemistry. A colleague asked if modern medication used to manage Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) will help with improving attention in the early stages of meditation, perhaps in the future.
Ajahn Brahm: My response was that it may help but not in the long term and not with letting go. Was I on the right track with my response? Many thanks.
Basically, everyone has some attention deficit—why is it so hard to watch something like the breath? I noticed this when I gave talks. Why, when I give these brilliant talks, do people not pay attention? Because you've got Attention Deficit Disorder? No, you haven't. I've got Teacher Inspiration Disorder.
One thing I learned a long time ago is two things. First of all, when I give a talk, I know the subject matter—I know what I'm talking about—but you see that I always look at you when I'm giving a talk to see whether I'm grabbing your attention or not. You give me feedback. If you're getting very dull or sleepy and you're just looking down, then I know that I'm losing you. And sometimes you really hit the spot as a teacher, and you look and everybody's looking at you—you've got 100% of people's attention. That's an amazing experience. You are actually with people, and they're with you, and that's where a lot of great teachings happen.
So, I don't think the medications will be of great help. Make sure you're well-fed, you're hydrated—just the ordinary medications. Sometimes some of you may need some other sort of balances of chemicals in your brain, but for most of you, I think it's okay. And so, if you... it's up to the teacher to really hit the spot and actually give examples and sometimes tell funny stories, and also to be able to teach from experience as well, so what you're saying really sort of grabs you.
I still remember the first talk I gave—not at the world computer conference—this was for the Australia Computer Society. They invited me to give a talk up in Brisbane, and it was a big conference on computing. I just gave one of the breakout sessions, not in the main hall. I remember afterwards one of the people organizing the conference said, "You know, that's the first time I've seen people paying attention totally when you were giving a talk." Usually, at a computer conference, they've got their iPhones and goodness knows what else, and they listen to you a little bit and then tap out something else. But she said everybody was actually listening to you, and she'd never seen that before. I had their attention; I grabbed their attention. And when you have that, that's the best way of overcoming attention deficit disorder: get the teacher to be able to teach.
One of the other things I learned, just because I'm lazy, is I never have screens with dot points—what they call those computer PowerPoints. Yes, because even these days people say if you give a talk, don't give PowerPoints. That's death by PowerPoint. People aren't paying attention to you; they're looking at the screen, then they're listening to you, then looking at the screen. You don't really hold people anyway.
2024 March - April (5/19) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yfCY8_hknE&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=5
**信徒:**
我對神經科學與神經化學有學術上的興趣。一位同事詢問,用來管理注意力不足過動症(ADD)的現代藥物,是否可能有助於提升冥想初期的注意力(或許在未來)?
**阿姜布拉姆:**
我的回答是,它或許有幫助,但不是長久之計,也無助於「放下」。我的回答是否正確?非常感謝。
基本上,每個人都有某種程度的注意力不足——為什麼觀察像呼吸這樣簡單的事情會如此困難?我在演講時注意到了這一點。為什麼當我進行這些精彩的開示時,人們卻沒有專心聽?因為你們有注意力不足過動症嗎?不,你們沒有。我有的是「教師啟發力不足症」。
很久以前我學到了兩件事。首先,當我演講時,我了解主題內容——我知道自己在說什麼——但你會發現,我講話時總是看著你們,觀察我是否抓住了你們的注意力。你們給了我回饋。如果你們感到非常無趣或昏昏欲睡,只是低頭不語,那麼我就知道我正在失去你們。而有時候,作為一位老師,你真的能切中要點,當你環顧四周,發現每個人都在看著你——你獲得了100%的注意力。這是一種美妙的體驗。你真正與人們同在,他們也與你同在,許多精彩的教導正是在這種時刻發生的。
所以,我認為藥物不會有太大幫助。確保你飲食充足、水分足夠——這些才是普通的「藥物」。有時候,你們當中有些人可能需要大腦中其他化學物質的平衡,但對大多數人來說,我認為沒問題。因此,這取決於老師能否真正切中要點,實際舉例,有時講些有趣的故事,並且能夠根據經驗來教導,這樣你所說的才能真正抓住人心。
我仍然記得我第一次演講的情景——不是在世界電腦大會上——那是為澳洲電腦學會做的。他們邀請我到布里斯本演講,那是一個大型的電腦會議。我主持的只是一個分組討論會,不是主會場。我記得會後一位會議組織者說:「你知道嗎,這是我第一次看到人們在你演講時完全全神貫注。」通常在電腦會議上,他們拿著iPhone或天知道什麼其他東西,聽你講一點,然後就低頭敲打別的。但她說,每個人當時真的都在聽你講話,她從未見過這樣的情景。我抓住了他們的注意力。而當你擁有這種能力時,那就是克服注意力不足過動症的最佳方式:讓老師能夠真正地教導。
我學到的另一件事(純粹是因為我懶)是,我從不使用帶有要點列的螢幕——就是那些所謂的電腦簡報(PowerPoint)。是的,因為即使在今天,人們也說,如果你要演講,不要用簡報。那是「簡報致死」。人們不會專心聽你說話;他們看著螢幕,然後聽你說,又看回螢幕。你根本無法真正抓住他們。
2024年3月-4月 (5/19) | 9日禪修營 | 阿姜布拉姆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yfCY8_hknE&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M4SpK06V5lfdyKBS5dr4jtP&index=5
持戒的人通常會比較快樂、少痛苦的
為什麼這樣說? 持戒簡單來說就是“停”的能力、“節制”的能力
當行為上、語言上、思維上因為貪嗔癡快要傷害自己和別人時, 有戒的人正念就會生起去“停止”
這個停的能力是很重要的。
因為這顆心無時無刻都在製造導向痛苦的思維。
例如在意別人怎樣看啊、後悔過去的事情啊、擔憂未來啊、想傷心事啊、胡思亂想啊
如果一個人平時是沒有戒、不懂節制的話,是不會有正念去停的! 他們會不斷想過不停、不斷痛苦下去,雖在人間,心如處於地獄之中
但一旦一個人有戒,五戒、十善業、八戒、十戒,。正念越來越頻繁的話,他們會很懂得怎樣“停”,心因此會較一般人更舒服、穩定和平靜
People who uphold precepts are generally happier and experience less suffering.
Why is this so? In simple terms, upholding precepts means having the ability to "stop" and the capacity for restraint.
When one's actions, speech, or thoughts—driven by greed, hatred, or delusion—are about to harm oneself or others, a person with precepts will naturally give rise to mindfulness to "halt" them.
This ability to stop is crucial.
Because the mind is constantly generating thoughts that lead to suffering—
such as worrying about how others perceive us, regretting the past, fearing the future, dwelling on sorrows, or indulging in random, uncontrolled thoughts.
If a person lacks precepts and does not understand restraint, they will not have the mindfulness to stop! They will keep thinking endlessly, sinking deeper into suffering. Though physically in the human world, their mind is trapped in a hellish state.
But once a person upholds precepts—whether the Five Precepts, Ten Wholesome Deeds, Eight Precepts, or Ten Precepts— mindfulness will arise more frequently, they will become adept at "stopping." As a result, their mind will be more at ease, stable, and peaceful compared to ordinary people.
如果要維持良好且穩定的精神健康
幾乎所有人都捉錯用神
隆波敦教導:
’心往外送是苦因
心往外送的結果就是苦‘
如果我們的心送出去抓取執著任何東西
必然會隨著外境而動蕩起伏,生起喜歡不喜歡,痛苦和快樂
但即便是快樂,仍是帶著貪欲、沉重、有壓力的快樂
所以一旦把心往外送,結果必然就是痛苦
精神健康必然會不穩定,傾向於崩潰
隆波敦再教導:
’心清楚地照見心,是苦滅之道;
心清楚照見心的結果,是苦滅‘
當心往外送,想去抓住東西時,心以正念捕捉到,及時制止,這是苦滅之道
結果是什麼?沒有痛苦,清爽、自在、快樂囖~
所以維持良好和穩定精神健康的秘訣在於增強正念,及時識破和停止心無止境的渴求
To maintain good and stable mental health,
almost everyone is looking in the wrong direction.
Luang Por Dune teaches:
"Sending the mind outward is the cause of suffering.
The result of sending the mind outward is suffering."
If our mind reaches out to grasp and cling to anything,
it will inevitably fluctuate with external conditions, giving rise to likes and dislikes, pain and pleasure.
But even pleasure is still tinged with craving—heavy, pressured pleasure.
Thus, once the mind is sent outward, the result is inevitably suffering.
Mental health will become unstable, tending toward collapse.
Luang Por Dune further teaches:
"The mind clearly seeing the mind is the path to the cessation of suffering.
The result of the mind clearly seeing the mind is the cessation of suffering."
When the mind reaches outward, trying to grasp something,
if mindfulness catches it in time and stops it, this is the path to the cessation of suffering.
What is the result? No suffering—only refreshment, ease, and happiness.
So, the secret to maintaining good and stable mental health lies in strengthening mindfulness,
timely recognizing and stopping the mind’s endless cravings.
Living in this world, there is only turmoil—
This world is nothing but chaos, chaos, chaos.
Before one war ends here, another breaks out there.
It never ends! It will always be this way!
If we remain trapped in this cycle of rebirth, there is only suffering.
The difference between ordinary people and Dhamma practitioners lies in this:
Practitioners can master their emotions, possessing higher emotional intelligence (EQ).
Ordinary people tend to take sides—supporting what they see as just and opposing what they deem evil.
But in truth, no war has a completely righteous side.
Why? Because war is mutual harm, mutual destruction, mutual killing, mutual deception, and mutual theft of land and resources.
Once we fixate on one side, we only hurt ourselves, bringing ourselves pain.
When the side we support suffers, we feel sorrow, anger, and shame.
When the side we oppose suffers, we gloat with pride and malice, shouting, "They deserve it!"
Either way, it breeds inner turmoil, stress, and suffering.
A well-practiced Buddhist, however,
does not love when others would love,
does not hate when others would hate,
does not rage when others would rage,
does not grow restless when others would grow restless.
Because both love and hate stem from selfishness—the delusion of "me" and "mine," the defilements of the mind.
If the mind transcends these, only four qualities remain:
Metta (Loving-kindness)**—a friendliness and goodwill that wishes others happiness.
Karuna (Compassion)**—a tenderness that wishes others freedom from suffering.
Mudita (Empathetic Joy)—a delight in others' well-being and success.
Upekkha (Equanimity)**—a calm neutrality, undisturbed whether others are kind or cruel, good or bad
There is right and wrong, but one does not cling to right or wrong.
The mind does not grow heavy with the world’s evils or misfortunes,
but remains light, clear, and serene—
thus withdrawing, untouched, from worldly turmoil.
This is the mark of one who carries the Dharma in their heart.
活在這個世間,只有動盪不安
這個世界只有亂、亂、亂
這裡還未打完仗,那裡又打仗了
打不完的!一直都會有!
如果不斷輪迴下去,只有痛苦
面對這些,一般人和修行人的分別是
修行人能夠管理好自己的情緒,有較高的EQ
一般人心中一般都會有支持和反對的一方
支持的是我們認為正義的一方,反對是我們認為邪惡的一方
但事實上,戰爭並不存在完全正義的一方的
為什麼? 戰爭其實就是互相傷害、互相破壞、互相殺生、互相詐騙、互相盜竊土地和資產
一旦我們執著其中一方,就會傷害自己、讓自己痛苦
自己支持的一方被傷害,我們就傷心、生氣、自卑
自己反對一方被傷害,我們就驕傲、邪惡地隨喜,大喊“活該!”
無論怎樣,都會帶來內心的混亂、壓力和痛苦
如果是修得好的佛教徒,
在一般人會愛的時候不愛
在一般人會恨的時候不恨
在一般人會怒的時候不怒
在一般人會煩躁的時候不煩躁
因為無論愛恨,都源自於自私心,心誤認為有“我”和“我的”,是內心的煩惱
如果心能超越這些,就只有
慈-友好的感覺,願欲對方快樂
悲-憐憫對方,願他遠離痛苦
喜-為對方的成就高興
捨-無論對方是善是惡,對自己好還是壞,都保持平靜和中立
有對錯,但不執著對錯
心不因任何外在的邪惡與不幸而變得沉重,始終保持清爽、輕鬆和平靜,就這樣從世間退出來
這就是內心有佛法的人
活到那麼久,我們必然會遇見身邊的人發展出情緒問題
為什麼會這樣?
沒有什麼,我們一路追踪他們,就會發現:他們原本相安無事,但不知何時開始,就自我越來越大、 越來越傲慢、 開始想要越來越多東西
當把越來越多東西當成是‘我的’ 後,心開始不勝負荷,然後就崩潰了.....
另一個模式就是,他們本身已經煩惱很厚了,但一直都沒有遇到一些重大的挫折,所以一直沒事。
一旦給他們遇到一些挫折,整個人便崩潰了
所以我們這樣看到後,還敢縱容自己的自私心不斷增長嗎?
遲早會出事的!
Living long enough, we are bound to encounter people around us developing emotional issues.
Why does this happen?
There’s nothing particularly mysterious about it. If we trace their journey, we’ll find that they were originally doing fine, but at some point, their sense of self began to grow—they became increasingly arrogant and started desiring more and more things.
Once they began to claim more and more as "mine," their minds became overwhelmed and eventually collapsed...
Another pattern is that they were already burdened with deep-seated defilements but had never faced any major setbacks, so they remained unaffected—until a significant challenge came along, and then they completely broke down.
After seeing this, do we still dare to indulge our selfishness and let it grow unchecked?
Sooner or later, trouble will arise!
如果我們不想坐情緒過山車,
就要修習戒定慧去除自我
情緒過山車就是躁鬱症
遇到好的東西就飛到上天
遇到不好的東西就下地獄
情緒任由外境擺佈
一旦我們得以去除自我,就再也不會跟隨著外境而動蕩起伏
始終處於寂靜和喜悅的狀態
If We Don’t Want to Ride the Emotional Rollercoaster,
We Must Cultivate Morality, stillness, and Wisdom to Eradicate the Ego
The "emotional rollercoaster" is like bipolar disorder—
When good things happen, we soar to the heavens;
When bad things happen, we plunge into hell.
Our emotions are entirely at the mercy of external circumstances.
But once we dissolve the ego, we no longer rise and fall with the world.
We abide in stillness and joy, unwavering.
《Problems stem from 'self'》
When the self is placed at the center of everything, how can there be any pāramī?
It only leads to widespread neurosis and anxiety.
Even dogs are better than that.
If a dog eats its fill, it just lies down peacefully and sleeps.
When the sense of self becomes too strong, families turn into blazing fires.
Everything becomes inflamed with conflict.
The ego explodes and harms others.
You have to understand this clearly.
When we let go of the self, peace naturally arises.
Arguments and quarrels cease.
It no longer matters who we are—because we’ve cancelled the self.
---Luang Por Ganha
21-5-2025
《一切問題源自「自我」》
當「自我」成為一切的中心時,
哪裡還談得上什麼波羅蜜?
只會引發神經病與焦慮。
連狗都比這樣的人好——
吃飽了就安靜趴著睡覺。
當「自我」過於強烈時,
家庭就變成熊熊烈火,
一切都在衝突中燃燒。
自我爆炸然後傷害他人,
這道理你要認清。
當我們放下自我,
平靜自然升起。
爭吵與紛爭止息,
「我是誰」不再重要——
因為我們已消融了自我。
——隆波甘哈 開示
2025年5月21日
如果我們靜下心來審視,就會發現這個世界根本就沒有絲毫實質
所有東西不是‘實’的,是‘虛’的,是流動的!
我們得到這筆財富,但很快就會轉移到商家那裡,家人那裡,其他人那裡
這個人和我們親密;但時間一長就和我們疏遠,轉而和別人更親密
現在他讚美我們,一會兒後就踩到我們體無完膚
現在這個位置是我們的,但很快別人就會來取代我們
現在這個身體還健康,但過了不久後就生病了
現在開心,一會兒就轉趨平淡
我們肉眼看過有一樣東西是恆久不變的嗎?
相信沒有人見過
所有東西都呈現流動的狀態,世界如此,自己的身體如此,心也如此
想他們停駐也不能,沒有一樣東西是受我們命令的
他們只是因為條件的組合而出現,因為條件的崩解而消失
根本毫無實質,也沒有一個不變的自我實體
覺得有‘我’或‘屬於我的事物’僅僅只是我們一廂情願而已
如果把這世上任何東西當作是‘我的’ 的話,只有徒添壓力和痛苦
如果我們開始想要把太多東西佔為己有,很快就要看心理醫生了
我們把一樣東西當為‘我的’ ,就有一份壓力
我們把十樣東西當為‘我的’,就有十份壓力
我們把全世界當為‘我的’, 那大概不用活了
事實上,只要死亡一來臨,不論我們想不想,所有東西都會捨我們而去
而死亡是必然會發生的事情,可能發生在下一秒
所以如果因為任何事情而影響我們的精神健康,這並不明智啊!
如果我們知道,連心也不是‘我’或‘我的’的話;那麼這個世界就沒有任何東西再屬於我們
所有壓力便消融得一乾二淨
如果有良好的精神健康,就什麼都有
如果沒有良好的精神健康,就什麼都沒有
縱使眼前有整座金山,都無法享用....
If we calmly examine, we will realize that this world has no substantial essence whatsoever.
Nothing is truly "solid"—everything is empty and in constant flow!
We acquire wealth, only to see it quickly flow to merchants, family members, and others.
A person is close to us now, but with time, they drift away and grow closer to someone else.
Today they praise us; tomorrow they trample us underfoot.
This position is ours today, but soon someone else will replace us.
Our body is healthy now, but before long, illness strikes.
We feel joy now, only for it to fade into equanimity.
Has our naked eye ever seen a single thing that remains permanent and unchanging?
Surely, no one has.
Everything exists in a state of flow—the world, our bodies, even our minds.
We cannot command them to stay; nothing obeys our will.
They arise due to the coming together of conditions, and vanish when those conditions dissolve.
There is no inherent and unchanging substance called 'self'
The belief in an "I" or "mine" is nothing but our own delulu.
If we cling to anything in this world as "mine," it only add to our stress and suffering.
If we crave for too much, we’ll soon need a psychiatrist.
For every thing we view as "mine," we take it as a burden.
If we view ten things as mine, we carry ten burdens.
If we view the whole world as "mine," life becomes unbearable.
In truth, when death comes—whether we like it or not—everything will leave us.
And death is inevitable; it could happen in the very next second.
So if we let anything disturb our mental health, that is truly unwise!
If we realize that not even the mind is "me" or "mine," then nothing in this world truly belongs to us.
All stress dissolves completely.
With good mental health, we have everything.
Without it, we have nothing.
Even a mountain of gold before us would be meaningless when we cannot enjoy it...
身體健康指的是我們沒有身體上的疾病,身體滿足、 舒適、 愉快
精神健康指的是我們沒有精神上的疾病、 心靈滿足、 舒適、 愉快
身體健康需要生活上的紀律、 均衡飲食、 適量的運動等等
而精神健康,則需要戒、 定和慧
Physical health means we are free from bodily illnesses, with the body feeling content, comfortable, and at ease.
Mental health means we are free from mental illnesses, with the mind feeling content, comfortable, and at ease.
Physical health requires discipline in daily life, a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and so on.
Mental health, however, requires morality (sīla), stillness (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā).
一般人如果患上精神疾病,例如抑鬱症;都會去看精神科醫生
有些看了許多年,吃了許多年藥,仍然不好起來
如果是這樣,或許已經不是身體的問題了,可能是心的問題
如果是心的問題,看精神科醫生有什麼大的用處? 每次去到就訴苦,醫生也會鼓勵一番。 看完之後心情舒暢,但沿用舊有的思維模式去過活,然後很快又精神不振。
這個循環只會一直繼續下去.....
如果遇到一些好的醫生還好,如果遇到一些差的,那要倒霉了。
真的會遇到的! 有些公立醫院的精神科醫生,可以罵病人、 指令和強迫病人,沒有絲毫的同理心。病人看完後沒有心情舒暢,反倒是更加抑鬱😂🤷♂️
所以這絕對不是出路
出路是了悟四聖諦:
痛苦的原因是內心的渴求
渴求的熄滅就等於痛苦的熄滅
我們渴求什麼?知道後就把它斬斷。
斬斷渴求不會讓我們什麼都沒有,反而會讓我們什麼都有。
因為一旦心強壯健康起來,一切困難都會迎刃而解......
When ordinary people develop mental illnesses like depression, they typically turn to psychiatrists. Some spend years in treatment, taking medications, yet never truly recover. At this point, the issue may no longer be physical—it might be an issue of the mind.
If the root is in the mind, how much can psychiatry really help? Each session follows the same pattern: the patient vents, the doctor offers encouragement, and for a brief moment, there’s relief. But if they return to the same old thought patterns, the gloom soon creeps back in. This cycle just repeats endlessly...
With a good doctor, things might be bearable. But with a bad one? Disaster. And yes, they exist! Some psychiatrists in public hospitals scold, command, and pressure their patients—utterly devoid of empathy. Instead of feeling better, patients leave even more depressed. 😂🤷♂️
Clearly, this isn’t the solution.
The Real Way Out is Understanding the Four Noble Truths"
The cause of suffering is craving (taṇhā).
The end of craving means the end of suffering.
What are we craving? Once we see it clearly, we cut it off.
Letting go of craving doesn’t leave us with nothing—it leaves us with everything! Because when the mind becomes strong and healthy, all difficulties naturally dissolve...
這個世界的特徵,就是不是每一樣東西都會順我們意,這是無法掌控的世間
真正能證明我們修行的關卡,就是當我們知道我們想達成的願望,必然會落空時
假如我們在等候送上斷頭台時不會生氣、 難受、 埋怨、 自卑,有任何的負面情緒,這才是真正的大修行:
這個籌備已久的生意必然做不成
這個想要合格的考試必然會不合格
我必然追不到這個我們想要追求的女孩子
親愛的老婆必然會和我離婚
望子成龍的我們知道生下來的孩子必然會有缺陷
這次選舉必然會落敗
我們必然會被人取代
不想老、 不想病、 不想死的我們必然會衰老、 生病、 死亡
我們被確診患上絕症了
假如內心不會因此動搖,我們就過關。
人生是充滿考驗的遊戲。考驗天天都會發生,完全不起情緒是很難的
所以必須要修習戒定慧
當我們有內心的平靜作為基礎,便要教導自己的內心,我們現在的計劃可能會失敗。應勇敢把內心的執著斬斷,放下這件事。雖然繼續做,但不會執著它的結果是好是壞。
如果我們從這一刻開始可以這樣做到,我們將能戰無不勝,沒有人事物能影響我們的精神健康
The characteristic of this world is that not everything will go as we wish—this is an uncontrollable world.
The true test of our Dhamma practice lies in moments when we realize that our desired outcomes are doomed to fail.
If, while awaiting execution, we feel no anger, distress, resentment, self-pity, or any negative emotion—that is true mastery in practice:
The long-prepared business venture is bound to fail.
The exam we hoped to pass is bound to be failed.
The girl we wanted to pursue is bound to be unattainable.
Our beloved wife is bound to divorce us.
Hoping for an exceptional child, we know the one born to us will inevitably have flaws.
The election we pinned hopes on is bound to be lost.
We are bound to be replaced.
Though we resist aging, sickness, and death, we will inevitably grow old, fall ill, and die.
We are diagnosed with an incurable disease.
If our minds remain unshaken, we have passed the test.
Life is a game full of trials. Challenges arise every day—remaining completely free of emotional turmoil is difficult.
That is why we must cultivate morality, stillness, and wisdom.
Once we establish inner peace as our foundation, we must train our minds: Our current plans may fail.
We must then courageously sever our attachments and let go of any expectations. We continue acting but remain equanimous to success or failure.
If we can achieve this from now on, we will become invincible—no person, event, or circumstance will ever disturb our mental well-being.
什麼是幸福? 根據維基百科,幸福是一種持續時間較長的心靈的滿足
一般人要獲取幸福,是很艱難的事情,因為他們根本不懂得秘訣!
如果不斷向外追求種種物質和虛榮,這只會離幸福越來越遠。
這是勞心勞力的一件事,不斷去追,心會越來越累和乏力。加上事不總是如意,得到後又會失去,也總會遇到不喜歡的東西;把心送去外面遲早會得精神疾病!
真正的幸福其實非常簡單。什麼都不需要。
就如Ajahn Brahm 所教導,我們‘放鬆、 放下到極點’。
當心不往外送,安住在自己的本位,不依附攀緣任何事物,切斷任何執著;幸福感就會慢慢湧現,並不是什麼難事。
阿羅漢擁有永不往外送的心,不再依附任何事物;所以他們的心永遠都那麼幸福和快樂。
這才是真正的幸福!
What is felicity?
According to Wikipedia, felicity is "a prolonged state of mental contentment."
For most people, achieving felicity is incredibly difficult—because they simply don’t know the secret!
If our mind constantly chase external things—material possessions, vanity, and status—we only drift further away from true happiness.
It’s an exhausting struggle. The more we chase, the more drained and weary our mind becomes. And since things never go perfectly, we gain and lose, encounter what we dislike; fixating on the external world will eventually lead to mental illness!
True felicity is actually very simple. we don’t need anything.
As Ajahn Brahm teaches, we must "relax and let go to the max~."
When the mind stops reaching outward, rests in its natural place , and clings to nothing—when all attachments are severed—felicity gradually arises. It’s not difficult at all.
An arahant (a fully enlightened being) possesses a mind that never grasps outward, free from all dependency. That’s why their hearts are forever joyful and at peace.
This is real happiness!
如果我們在世間要繁榮,就要把重量放到別人那裡,
即讓別人感到重要,尊重他們
例如那些成功的商家,都喜歡說:‘我們非常重視您的意見’ ‘你的舒適是我們的首要原則’
啊!當他們那麼尊重我們,讓我們感到那麼重要和開心, 任誰都想去光顧他們了~
但如果我們精神健康要好,就要把別人施加給我們的重量,或者世間的重量從心中剝離
他們讚美我們,我們的心不要接受,不要執著
他們毀謗我們,我們的心不要接受,不要執著
他們給予我們地位,我們的心不要接受,不要執著
他們剝奪我們的地位,我們的心不要接受,不要執著
我們得到利益,心不要接受,不要執著
我們蒙受損失,心不要接受,不要執著
我們快樂,心不要接受,不要執著
我們痛苦,心不要接受,不要執著
當我們不把任何重量放到心中,這顆心既高尚又快樂~
If We Want to Prosper in This World, We Should Put Weight on Others
This means making others feel important and respecting them.
For example, successful businesses often say, "We highly value your opinion" and "Your comfort is our top priority."
Ah! When they respect us like that, making us feel important and happy, who wouldn't want to patronize them?
However, if we want to maintain good mental health, we need to remove the weight others impose on us, or the burdens of the world, from our hearts.
When they praise us, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When they slander us, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When they give us status, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When they take away our status, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When we gain benefits, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When we suffer losses, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When we are happy, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When we are in pain, we should not accept it or cling to it.
When we do not allow any weight to settle in our hearts, this heart becomes noble and joyful.
我們努力,
如果事情 ok , 我們 ok
事情不 ok , 我們也 ok
我們不執著一切, 那便沒有東西能夠束縛我們, 也沒有東西能夠影響我們的精神健康~
we put in effort
if things are ok , we are ok
If things are not ok , we are ok too
We do not cling to anything , the nothing can bound us, nor can they affect our mental health
一般人的五蘊身心是扭作一團的
這是因為心誤認為有一個‘’我‘’在, 所以把一切抓來自己那裡, 當然也包括這個五蘊
當我們全身緊繃,心也緊繃
這就證明生起貪嗔癡了
想解除繃緊、讓身心平靜嗎?
不對, 只會更加緊繃,因為想這個“我”好, 滲雜著貪欲
所以只會更加緊繃
當我們放鬆,放下一切
這同時放下了這個“自我”
當心一鬆開,身心和一切事物就回復他們原本的位置
一切回歸自然
只剩下快樂的心…
**"The Five Aggregates of an Ordinary Person Are Tangled Together"**
For ordinary people, the five aggregates (body and mind) are tightly knotted together. This happens because the mind mistakenly believes there is a "self," so it grasps and pulls everything towards itself—including these five aggregates.
When our entire body and the mind is tense,
this proves that greed, hatred, and delusion have arisen.
Want to release the tension and calm the body and mind?
No—trying to do so only makes it worse because the desire for "me" to feel better is mixed with craving.
Thus, the tension only increases.
When we relax and let go of everything,
we simultaneously release this sense of "self."
Once the mind loosens its grip, the body, mind, and all things return to their original places and natural state.
Everything settles back into harmony,
leaving only a joyful heart...
真正人品好的人,是快樂滿足的人
越快樂與滿足,人品就越好
為什麼這樣說?
因為當一個人的心越滿足,他對世間的事物就越少需求
表示什麼?貪欲越少! 貪嗔癡越少!
貪嗔癡越少的人人品自然越好
如果沒有內心的滿足感,所謂的人品好還不是真正的人品好
只是裝出來而已
怎樣能得到這份內心的滿足感呢?
捷徑就是禪修
其次就是持戒
再其次是行善布施
A truly good person is someone who is happy and content.
The happier and more content they are, the better their character.
Why is this said?
Because when a person's mind is more satisfied, they have fewer desires for worldly things.
What does this indicate? Less greed! Less greed , anger and ignorance!
With less greed, anger, and ignorance, a person's character naturally improves.
If there is no inner sense of satisfaction, the so-called good character is not true; it is merely an pretending.
How can one achieve this inner sense of satisfaction?
The shortcut is meditation.
Next is following precepts.
After that, performing good deeds and giving.
What are these Chinese words all about?
Oh~ : "Better to be brief than to be interrupted.
What does it refer to?
Meditation!
Luang Pu Sri once said, 'There is no greater happiness than tranquility.'
Therefore, if one wishes to be happy all the time, they should meditate continuously when not using their thoughts.
''Better to be brief than to be interrupted."
Image credit: @miroku.amtf
寧可短,不可斷。
指什麼?禪修!
Luang Pu Sri 曾說,‘’沒有比寧靜更大的幸福了‘’
因此,假如誰想一直開開心心, 沒有用到思維時就應一直禪修
寧可短,不可斷。
Image cred. To @miroku.amtf
您睡得好不好?
現代社會,有許多人都睡得不好
但在古印度,當時正值冬天、 下著雪,佛陀睡在樹園裡被樹葉敷設的地上
有在家人問佛陀:‘ 世尊睡得好嗎?’
佛陀說自己睡得很好
噢,真是讓人疑惑。佛陀的袈裟那麼薄,沒有開暖氣,卻竟然睡得好?
為了驅除那位居士的疑惑,佛陀便問他:假如有人身處在一座兩層高的宮殿內,裡面有華麗的床,也有四個妻妾侍奉,為他帶來許多快樂;那麼他會睡得好嗎?
那位居士便回答:他會睡得很好
佛陀再問:假如這位居士心中生起了熾盛的貪嗔癡,在受到這般熾盛的貪嗔癡煎熬時,他會難以入睡嗎?
居士:是的
佛陀便說,自己已經根斷了貪嗔癡,因此他睡得好
並說已證涅槃的人平靜快樂地睡,心中到達平靜(AN3.35)
如果誰想睡得好,不用睡在豪宅裡,不用買個豪華床,也不用娶個漂亮的老婆
只需要去除自己的貪嗔癡,去除自己的煩惱
Zzzzzzzz~
Do You Sleep well?
In modern society, many people struggle with poor sleep.
But once in ancient India, during the winter when snow was falling, the Buddha slept on a bed of leaves in a grove.
A layperson then asked the Buddha, "Venerable, do you sleep well?"
The Buddha replied that he slept very well.
This might seem puzzling—how could the Buddha sleep well with such thin robes, no heaters, and on the bare ground?
To dispel the layperson’s doubts, the Buddha asked him: "If a person lived in a two-story palace with a luxurious bed and four beautiful wives attending to him, bringing him great joy—would he sleep well?"
The layperson answered, "Yes, he would sleep well."
The Buddha then asked, "But if this person’s mind were consumed by intense greed, hatred, and delusion, would he still sleep soundly?"
The layperson replied, "No, he would not."
The Buddha then explained: "I have completely uprooted greed, hatred, and delusion. That is why I sleep well."
He added that those who have realized Nibbāna sleep peacefully, their minds were at ease (AN 3.35).
If we want to sleep well, we don’t need a mansion, an expensive bed, or a beautiful spouse.
we only need to eliminate greed, hatred, and delusion—to free our mind from defilements.
Zzzzzzzz~
《How to cope with insomnia》
Devotee: what can I do to relax and get a good sleep at night ?
Ajahn Brahm: so first of all, don't worry about getting to sleep
...... when you don't worry at all, it was easy to go to sleep and sometimes I thought, 'hang on a moment , my bed as a monk do so much work and stuff and sitting cross-legged, it had been sitting cross-legged meditating for a while, lying down on a sort of comfortable mattress, a nice duvet or blanket, it's one of the most comfortable positions in my day, relaxed, laying out.'
have you ever had that experience , you wake up in the morning , and you've had enough sleep; you don't need to go to the toilets, it's so nice and cozy; it's why that some genius invented the snooze buttons on your alarm clocks. Because it's so comft , that you don't want to get up; you just put a snooze button and stay a little bit longer under the pillows; it's nice and cozy.
so I worked on that principle, that when I was awake, who wants to go to sleep! this is the most comfortable position I get into in the whole day; relax, warm , cozy, snuggling into my pillow. Who wants to miss out on this wonderful cozy experience? so I said I don't want to go to sleep . And as soon as I thought that, I fell fast asleep .
I don't doubted this psychology , when you want to go to sleep you can't.
You don't mind going to sleep, don't go to sleep; then you do.
And number two here. I did notice.
On these retreats , sometimes that people come up to me and they said they couldn't go to sleep at night, and even though you've got this wonderful rooms all by yourselves, personal rooms, and you've got your own Suites, and it's really comfortable. And you know, we put a lot of funds and effort trying to make these rooms comfortable for you; but people can't go to sleep.
But then when they come in the morning to meditate,
they're fast asleep. So after a while, you know, you just use your logic and reason, I say now obviously you can understand the reason why.
When you try to meditate, you fall asleep; when you try to fall asleep, you're wide awake.
so if you ever have sleepiness in this meditation hall, when you come in here ; try to fall asleep, then you have no sloth and torpor at all you'll be wide awake, your mind will be (laugh)
and when you want to go to sleep at night, you go into your room , you lay down on your bed, and you try to meditate . There you go fast asleep .
Now of course you know that's I've exaggerated a point in there, just to make it very clear that what is going on there.
It's wanting makes you tense , and that tension stops you go to sleep .
They just relax , 'If I go to sleep , then go to sleep. if I don't go to sleep, doesn't matter, either way it's fine. And then, okay, if I can't go to sleep, I just meditate just meditate, make my mind really peaceful, so nice, peaceful, still , cozy in my bed; then you go fast asleep.
just relax, and that's where you find you're going to sleep, but wanting to go to sleep is not relaxing .
And there you get a good sleep at night
2019 Jhana Grove retreat
<如何應對失眠>
修行者:我該怎麼做才能在晚上放鬆並獲得良好的睡眠?
阿姜·布拉姆:首先,不要擔心入睡。
……當你完全不擔心時,其實很容易入睡。有時我會想,「等等,我作為一個僧侶,做了這麼多工作,坐著打坐,已經坐了一會兒,躺在一張舒適的床墊上,蓋著一條柔軟的被子,這是我一天中最舒服的姿勢,放鬆~躺著~」
你有沒有過這樣的經驗?早上醒來時,睡得剛剛好;不需要上廁所,感覺如此舒適;這就是為什麼有些天才發明了鬧鐘的貪睡鍵。因為實在太舒服了,你不想起床;你只需按一下貪睡鍵,繼續在枕頭下待一會兒,真是舒服。
所以我就是在這個原則上下功夫。當我還醒著的時候,誰想要入睡呢? 這是我一天中最舒適的位置:放鬆、溫暖、舒適,依偎在我的枕頭上。
誰想要錯過這樣美好的舒適體驗?所以我不想入睡。
當我一這麼想,我就快速入睡了。
我不懷疑這種心理學,當你想要入睡時,你反而睡不著。
你不在乎入睡,然後你卻能睡著。
第二點。我注意到,在這些禪修營中,有時候有人來找我,說他們晚上無法入睡。即使你擁有如此舒適的私人房間和套房,我們也花了很多資金和精力來讓這些房間變得舒適,但人們卻無法入睡。
但當他們早上來冥想時,他們卻睡得很香。
所以經過一段時間,你就能用邏輯推理,我說現在顯然你可以理解原因。
當你試著冥想時,你會入睡;
當你試著入睡時,你卻保持清醒。
所以如果你在這個冥想廳裡感到困倦;試著入睡,然後你根本不會感到昏沉睡眠,你會非常清醒(笑)。
當你想晚上入睡時,你進入你的房間,躺在床上,試著冥想。然後你就會快速入睡。
當然,你知道我在這裡夸張了一些,只是為了讓這一切變得清晰。
想要使你緊張,而那種緊張會阻止你入睡。
所以,放鬆吧。「如果我能入睡,那就入睡;如果我不能入睡,沒關係,兩種情況都好。」然後,好吧,如果我不能入睡,我就冥想,讓我的心靈變得非常平靜,這樣在床上會感到如此舒服、安靜;然後你就會快速入睡。
只需放鬆,而這就是你會入睡的時刻,但想要入睡並不是放鬆。
這樣你就能在晚上獲得良好的睡眠。
——2019年Jhana Grove 禪修營
《We suffer because of 'self' 》
Think about it.
This person was poor before;
he suffered.
He came to me and I told him,
"Think like this, speak like this, do like this, and you will become rich."
Years later, he became rich.
But when he came back to me, they were still suffering.
Having a self, having an identity, it leads to suffering, the same as before.
The Buddha said:
A person who has become a Sotapanna (Stream Enterer)
is happier than a millionaire who is an ordinary person.
---Luang Por Ganha
17-4-2025
《我們因為「自我」而受苦》
想一想。
這個人以前很窮;
他很痛苦。
他來找我,我告訴他,
「這樣想,這樣說,這樣做,你會變得富有。」
多年後,他變得富有。
但當他回來找我的時候,他仍然在痛苦。
擁有自我,擁有身份,這導致了痛苦,和以前一樣。
佛陀說:
一個成為初果聖者(入流者)的人,比一個普通的百萬富翁更幸福。
---隆波甘哈
17-4-2025
If you base everything on the self, you won’t be able to sleep,
because the self is what keeps you awake.
You must understand this.
Once you understand it, you will find happiness in abandoning the self.
如果你把一切都以自我為基礎,你將無法入睡,
因為自我就是讓你無法安眠的原因。
你必須理解這一點。
一旦你明白了,你會發現放棄自我會帶來快樂。
---Luang Por Ganha
17-4-2025
《抑鬱症的治療策略》
通常面對抑鬱症,佛教的應對方法其實是直中核心。
抑鬱的情緒是痛苦
痛苦的原因是內心的渴愛
渴愛的熄滅就是痛苦的熄滅
要透過修習八聖道去把渴愛熄滅
這就是佛陀在菩提樹下所覺悟到的四聖諦
如果是一般人,不明白四聖諦,根本就無法把痛苦完全根斷,只能舒緩或暫時去除而已。
但舒緩,也是好事。他們會找精神科醫生。
隆波帕默其實也不抗拒佛教徒找精神科醫生;並表示,如果真的病了,就要看他們。
隆波說:【生病了,有時是屬於大腦的問題,最近有一個弟子也是這樣子的,他是得了憂鬱症。醫生看了之後,說他的腦袋裡的那些化學成分不正常,吃了藥就好了。】
精神科醫生第二個獨特角色,就是容許我們去傾訴。隆波說:【精神科醫生是職業聽的人,去找他們,跟他們去說,想說什麼就說什麼,然後心就會放鬆】
如果可以的話,別再去找出家人傾訴了。他們的主要職責只是教導四聖諦以去除內心的痛苦而已。精神科醫生的本份就是分擔讓病人宣洩情緒的角色。
事實上,抗抑鬱藥,是有它的效果的。因為研究人員會先試驗:把不含抗抑鬱藥的安慰劑藥丸,和含有抗抑鬱藥的藥丸,分別給兩批病人服用;並且不讓他們知道。
如果沒有效果,根本就不會大量生產,然後給醫生開給病人服用了
其實抗抑鬱藥有非常之多,相關研究只要上Pubmed搜尋,就可以找到。其中一份系統綜述,是整合有關21種抗抑鬱藥的522份臨床試驗,來分析到底抗抑鬱藥有沒有用。答案是有的,比安慰劑更有效舒緩抑鬱症(1)
然而,這份系統綜述並沒有包含那些對抗抑鬱藥沒有反應的病人。
如果行不通,他們就會轉用其他藥物以外的對治方法,例如行為治療、 認知治療、 人際心理治療、心理動力治療。(2)
認知和行為治療有很多種,包括有
1)操作性制約:例如把不好的行為和懲罰綁在一起,把良好的行為和獎賞綁在一起,讓人改善引起抑鬱的行為
2)認知行為治療:和上面差不多,但加上認知的元素,例如專注於病人有問題的思維
3)認知行為治療話劇治療:利用話劇來分析、 避免、 治療心理社會上的挑戰。
4)情境暴露治療:讓病人面對讓他們恐懼的源頭,同時練習放鬆。
5)理性情緒行為治療:專注於辨識負面和毀壞性的思想和感受。然後引導病人挑戰這些思想,換上更理性、 更實際的思想。
6)社會學習理論:讓人透過觀察而學習。觀察別人怎樣透過他們的行為而受到獎賞和懲罰
人際心理治療則是針對與人相關的議題,檢討病人的溝通技巧;並檢視在特定情況底下病人每一個慾望,看看是否可行,從而提出解決方案。
心理動力治療,則是探究一些表面症狀,與潛意識或過去的經歷是否存在關係。如果有,就把它們重新浮現,然後直接解決它們。治療師也會處理一些強迫性重複(Repetition Compulsion)的行為。有些人老是有些重蹈覆轍的行為模式,例如每一份工作都做得不長,每次轉換工作總會遇到「壞同事」、「壞老板」,又或每次談戀愛都會遇上「渣男」、「渣女」。會想讓病人多詢問自己的問題,而不是世界的不公平。
這些都有效舒緩抑鬱症。
以上是西醫的治療方法。如果是中醫,就會用中藥來治療。
也有研究人員做過系統綜述,並總結,中藥是有效治療抑鬱症的。然而,他們也指出,他們所包含的臨床試驗質素並不是很高,所以要小心地考量(3)
中醫的針灸療法,比如說密集顱部電針刺激,也被發現能夠舒緩抑鬱症(4)
身體的問題,可以用藥物等方式治療。
但如果是心靈的問題,以八聖道來解決,會是最徹底、 最有效的方法。
(1) Andrea Cipriani et. al, 2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29477251/
(2) APA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression in Adults 2021
(2)Jiayin Ruan et.al , 2023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36946424/
(3)Zhang et.al , 2012
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22238631/
《Treatment Strategies for Depression》
When facing depression, the Buddhist approach addresses the core issues directly.
Depressive emotions are a form of suffering,
and the root cause of this suffering is internal craving.
The extinguishing of craving leads to the cessation of suffering,
which can be achieved through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path.
This is the essence of the Four Noble Truths realized by the Buddha under the Bodhi tree.
For those who do not understand the Four Noble Truths, it is impossible to eradicate suffering entirely; they can only alleviate or temporarily remove it.
However, alleviation is still beneficial, and many seek help from psychiatrists.
Luang Por Pramote does not discourage Buddhists from consulting psychiatrists, stating that if someone is truly ill, they should see a doctor.
He mentioned, "When someone is sick, sometimes it relates to brain issues. Recently, a disciple was diagnosed with depression. After seeing a doctor, it was found that the chemical composition in his brain was abnormal, and medication helped him recover."
The second unique role of psychiatrists is to provide a space for patients to express themselves. Luang Por said, "Psychiatrists are professional listeners; visit them and say whatever you want to say, and your heart will relax."
Ideally, do not seek out monks for this purpose, as their main responsibility is to teach the Four Noble Truths to alleviate inner suffering. Psychiatrists are there to help patients vent their emotions.
In fact, antidepressants do have their effects.
Researchers first test a placebo without antidepressants against pills containing antidepressants, giving them to two groups of patients without their knowledge.
If no effects are observed, the drugs will not be mass-produced or prescribed.
There are many antidepressants, and relevant studies can be found on PubMed.
One systematic review integrated 522 clinical trials concerning 21 antidepressants to analyze their effectiveness.
The answer is that they are effective, providing greater relief from depression compared to placebo. (1)
However, this systematic review did not include patients who did not respond to antidepressants.
If those do not work, alternative treatment methods like behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and psychodynamic therapy are employed.(2)
Cognitive and behavioral therapies include several types:
1.Operant Conditioning: Linking undesirable behaviors with punishment and good behaviors with rewards to improve actions that cause depression.
2.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Similar to the above but includes cognitive elements, focusing on the patient's problematic thoughts.
3.Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy: Using play to analyze, avoid, and address psychosocial challenges.
4.Exposure Therapy: Helping patients face their sources of fear while practicing relaxation techniques.
5.Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy: Focusing on identifying negative and destructive thoughts and feelings, guiding patients to challenge these thoughts and replace them with more rational ones.
6.Social Learning Theory: Learning through observation of others’ behaviors and their consequences.
Interpersonal psychotherapy targets issues related to relationships, examining the patient's communication skills and evaluating their desires in specific situations to propose solutions.
Psychodynamic therapy explores surface symptoms and their potential connections to the sub-consciousness or past experiences. If such connections exist, they will be brought to the surface and addressed directly.
Therapists also deal with compulsive behaviors, helping patients recognize repeating patterns, such as short job tenures or consistently encountering "bad colleagues" or "toxic partners." The goal is to encourage patients to examine their own issues rather than blaming the unfairness of the world.
These methods are effective in alleviating depression.
The approaches above represent Western medical treatment methods. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), herbal medicine is used for treatment.
Researchers have conducted systematic reviews summarizing that TCM is effective in treating depression. However, they also note that the quality of the clinical trials included was not very high, so caution is advised. (3)
Acupuncture methods, such as dense cranial electroacupuncture stimulation, have also been found to relieve depression. (4)
Physical issues can be treated with medication, but when it comes to mental issues, addressing them through the Noble Eightfold Path is the most thorough and effective way.
(1) Andrea Cipriani et. al, 2018
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29477251/
(2) APA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Depression in Adults 2021
(2)Jiayin Ruan et.al , 2023
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36946424/
(3)Zhang et.al , 2012
《 修習慈悲觀可以治療憂鬱症 》
僅僅只是呼吸了之後有覺性, 看到身體在呼吸,心是觀者。
呼吸,然後有什麼感覺生起來了,就去看所有的感覺生了就滅,
這麼去用功,輪迴就會縮短。
你要去修習慈悲觀,包括也要對自己慈悲。
別對自己生氣,別去討厭說我們的身體不舒服生病了,
要對它慈悲,就好像是別的一個動物,別的一個人,
我們就跟它在一起,以寧靜冷靜清涼的心跟它在一起,有覺性,有心作為觀者。
心這樣安住,有禪定,就會看到生命中所有的一切全都是暫時的,
沒有什麼是我們可以掌控得了的,
不停的觀下去。
有時間的話就去修習慈悲觀,
修習慈悲觀同樣也可以治療憂鬱症。因為憂鬱屬於瞋心家族,
如果修習慈悲觀心有快樂,就會舒服一點。
疾病如果出現了,就讓醫生去治療,
我們自己去照顧自己的心,有覺性不停地照顧自己的心,
就只是這樣,輪迴就會縮短。
如果想要這個想要那個,輪迴不會縮短的。
想快點得到道果涅槃,輪迴就會很長,
因為貪心生起了,貪愛生起了。
.....
心害怕擔心之類的,要去觀,去覺知,但是如果真的生病了,就需要看醫生。
泰國人有一個缺點,就是不太願意去看精神科的醫生,覺得不好。
別想太多,那也是一個疾病,去看醫生。
至於我們的心,就要去觀察自己,
跟呼吸在一起,跟佛陀在一起,去修習慈悲觀,心就會快樂寧靜。
我們的心舒服了,身體同時也會舒服一些,治療也會比較容易。
如果我們擔心,我們的心苦悶,讓醫生去治療也會很困難。
因此,我們要去治療自己的心,至於身體交給醫生治療。
生病了,有時是屬於大腦的問題,
最近有一個弟子也是這樣子的,他是得了憂鬱症。
醫生看了之後,他的腦袋裡的那些化學成分不正常,
吃了藥就好了。
所以我們要去看醫生吃藥,
然後也要去修習慈悲觀,不讓自己的心煩躁,
包括對身體要有慈悲,讓它有快樂。
然後要去看到心的變化。
每一天的心都不一樣,
包括同樣一天早中晚,心也是不一樣的,
每一天,每一個時段,每一個瞬間,我們的心一直都是處在變化之中。
不斷地觀察下去,
身體也是不長久的,
什麼東西都不長久。
但是我們並沒有討厭它,
別去傷害自己的身體。
如果生病了,憂鬱了,有的人去自殺,不好,那個是惡業。
等於是在殺別的眾生,等於是在消滅自己一個修行的機會,
活著就依然還有時間可以修行。
別去討厭它,別去殺掉它,
讓醫生去照顧身體,我們的心我們就自己去照顧。
去修習慈悲觀,多多對自己慈悲,
然後有什麼樣的感覺,生起了之後要去覺知。
就這樣不停的去用功,生命才舒服一點、才會幸福快樂。
隆波帕默
"Practicing Loving-Kindness Can Heal Depression"
Simply being mindful after breathing, seeing the body breathe, with the heart as the observer.
Breathe, and when feelings arise, observe that all feelings are born and then fade away.
By practicing this way, the cycle of rebirth will shorten.
You need to practice loving-kindness, including being compassionate towards yourself.
Don't be angry with yourself or dislike your body when it's uncomfortable or sick.
Treat it with loving kindness and compassion, just like you would treat another animal or person.
Be with it in a calm, peaceful state of mind, with awareness and the heart as the observer.
When the heart settles like this and attains stillness, you will see that everything in life is temporary; nothing is within our control. Keep observing. If you have time, practice loving-kindness, as it can also heal depression.
Depression belongs to the family of aversion, and by practicing loving-kindness, you can find some joy and comfort.
If illness arises, let the doctor treat it. We should take care of our hearts with constant mindfulness. Just by doing this, the cycle of rebirth will shorten. If you desire this or that, the cycle will not shorten. If you want to quickly attain enlightenment and nibanna, the cycle will be long, because greed and desire arise.
...
If the heart experiences fear and worry, observe and be mindful, but if you are truly ill, you need to see a doctor.
Thais have a tendency to be reluctant to see psychiatrists, thinking it’s not good. Don’t overthink; that is also a form of illness—go see a doctor.
As for our hearts, we need to observe ourselves, be with our breath, be with the Buddha, and practice loving-kindness. The heart will become joyful and peaceful. When our hearts are comfortable, our bodies will also feel better, and healing will be easier. If we worry and our hearts are troubled, it will be difficult for doctors to treat us.
Therefore, we need to heal our hearts while leaving the body’s treatment to the doctors. Sometimes illness is related to brain issues. Recently, a disciple of mine experienced this—he had depression. After seeing a doctor, it was found that the chemical components in his brain were not normal. After taking medication, he recovered.
So we need to see a doctor and take medication, while also practicing loving-kindness to keep our hearts from being agitated. This includes being kind and compassionate towards the body to bring it joy. We should also observe the changes in our hearts.
Every day, the mind is different, even throughout the same day—morning, noon, and evening, the mind will be different. Every day, every moment, our hearts are always changing. Keep observing. The body is also not permanent; nothing is permanent.
However, we should not dislike it; do not harm your body. If you are sick or depressed, some people may resort to suicide, which is not good—it is a harmful action. It is like killing another being and eliminating your opportunity for practice. As long as you are alive, you still have time to practice.
Don’t dislike it; don’t destroy it. Let the doctors take care of the body, and we will take care of our hearts. Practice loving-kindness, be compassionate towards yourself, and be aware of any feelings that arise.
By continually practicing this way, life will become a bit more comfortable, happier, and joyful.
---Luang Por Pramote
傾訴可以幫助宣洩情緒|2022年9月11日之七 隆波帕默尊者
4號學員:散亂,一直在想來想去,而且喜歡一直想工作的問題和生活方面的問題。清楚地看到心的苦,然後依然很蠢,想請求隆波開示。
隆波:一定要去觀察,心不喜歡當下的一些現象,那個不喜歡就會有不滋潤,心裡面就會有一些不滋潤,不時地會有不滋潤的感覺生起——就只是知道,就只是去看見。
整體來講,已經進步很大了,放鬆一些了,比以前要好很多。但是內心的悲傷依然會摻雜進來。試著跟精神科醫生去互動一下,並沒有說你發瘋了。
泰國人有一個缺點,特別不喜歡精神科醫生,認為肯定是不好了才會去看精神科醫生。實際上,因為是很厭倦這個世間,很苦,可以去看一看精神科醫生,這樣就能把自己的情緒傾瀉一點點,心就會舒服一些。
以前沒有精神科醫生,人們就會去找出家人,就會去分享自己的那些擔心、痛苦。只要有人聽一聽,我們就會舒服一些了。但是現在這個時代,每個人都很苦悶,壓力很大,跟別人去說,別人也會很苦悶,他也不想聽。
精神科醫生是職業聽的人,去找他們,跟他們去說,想說什麼就說什麼,然後心就會放鬆。別以為這個是不正常的。精神科醫生是最可憐的,因為他其實就只是一個普通的醫生。
現在我們有什麼苦悶,是跟出家人去說的。隆波曾經認識一位高僧大德,他是隆波素金的一位師父,很多居士去找他,一整天都跟他講那些很令人頭痛的事情。這個人來,那個人也來,就說、說、說,說得感到舒服了,就回去了。
弟子們就問:長老,你聽那麼多了之後怎麼樣?
長老回答說:“頭痛。”
弟子接著問:“頭痛了,長老你怎麼辦呢?”
長老回答說:“那就吃止痛藥,然後睡覺。”
這個是出家人的痛苦。
因為需要找一個可以交流的對象。如果很鬱悶,壓力很大,若是能跟理解我們的人說一說,我們就會舒服一些。這是屬於減輕心理負擔的一個很正常的現象,不是說這個不正常,不是說發瘋了。
覺性比以前好很多了,禪定也比以前好很多了。但是內心不時地還是有一些悲傷的情緒。想用修行讓它消失,同樣也可以做得到。但是,心必須要真的有禪定。
感覺到了嗎?當你卡在某一個問題上面的時候,就會一直不停地在那個地方去想,想了又想。但是,如果你能入定,就能切斷它了,持續的想就會斷裂了。一旦從禪定退出來之後,這個念頭流進來的一瞬間,就會自動地看到問題的出口,就可以解決問題。
但是如果做不到這樣,無法入定,就去用科學的方式來幫忙,去跟精神科醫生互動,他們可以幫助我們。
隆波這樣說好像是在給精神科醫生點贊,但事實上,隆波特別可憐他們,因為有的人也快瘋了,然後一號精神科醫生需要跟二號精神科醫生去互動來解壓。
如果能夠修定,就不難了,就可以切斷那個念頭。但是如果做不到,就用世間的方法去解決它。
摘自:隆波帕默尊者直播開示
《何時有些想要,何時就有苦》
2022年9月11日
當下就啟程吧 2023-02-26 07:37 發表於江蘇
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/oIQevOwOyd9IeYQ47nDVJQ
《精神健康》
如果醫學來說,一般會把健康分為身體的健康和精神健康。
健康的心靈狀態,就是開心無煩惱。
怎樣開心沒煩惱? 最直接的方法就是把‘自我’去除囖,不要覺得自己有哪怕是一丁點的重要性。怎樣做到? 就是看到這個世間的一切,包括自己的身心都是不斷變異,無法掌控,沒有不變的實體,不能維持的特性;將它們放下。不要把任何東西放在心裡,把一切斬斷,不執著一切。那麼心自然就能輕鬆沒壓力,快活過神仙~為什麼? 任何執著和渴求都會帶來飢渴不安和痛苦
如果不能有效做到,那就學Ajahn Brahm 教導那樣, 放鬆到極點, 讓心平靜下來,快樂滋潤。再來嘗試把執著斷除
如果定不下來怎麼辦?哦,那是因為我們缺乏美德。我們嘗試不傷害自己,不傷害別人;沒有任何有害的念頭,語言和行為。那麼過了一會兒,就不會後悔,心安理得,充滿快樂,那自然能夠平靜下來。
如果不能做到,那怎麼辦? 哦,是因為自我感還是太強。 那麼就嘗試饋贈給別人,幫助別人吧!從中去除自我,獲得無過失的滿足感和快樂。
如果真的做到,那麼精神上將會很健康。不用看任何精神科醫生或心理學家。 因為有時這些專業人士都自身難保(笑)
Mental Health
In medical terms, health is generally divided into physical health and mental health.
A healthy mental state means being happy and worry-free.
How can one be happy and worry-free? The most direct way is to eliminate the ‘self’ and not feel even a tiny bit of importance. How to achieve this? By seeing that everything in this world, including our own body and mind, is continuously changing, uncontrollable, and lacks any permanent essence or sustaining characteristics; we must let go of them. Don’t hold onto anything in your heart, sever all attachments, and be non-attached to everything. Then the mind will naturally be light and stress-free, enjoying life like a celestial being. Why? Because any attachment and craving must bring about thirst, unease, and suffering.
If this cannot be effectively achieved, then learn from Ajahn Brahm’s teachings: relax to the max~ let the mind calm down, and let happiness flourish naturally. Then, try to sever attachments.
What if you can’t settle down? Oh, that’s because we lack virtue. We should try not to harm ourselves or others; have no harmful thoughts, words, or actions. After a while, you won’t regret it, your mind will be at ease, filled with joy, and it will naturally calm down.
What if you still can’t do it? Oh, that’s because the sense of self is still too strong. In that case, try giving to others and helping them! This will help remove the self and gain a sense of satisfaction and happiness without faults.
If you truly accomplish this, your mental health will be very good. There will be no need to see any psychiatrists or psychologists. Because sometimes, even these professionals struggle to take care of their own mental health (laugh).
我想到這個,因為我以前在12月和1月的時候會去英國看望我的家人。這個時候去北歐真的很愚蠢,因為那裡非常令人沮喪,四處都是灰色。我哥哥帶我四處走,從明亮陽光的珀斯來到這裡。 帕斯的人們穿著色彩繽紛的衣服。而那裡的天空是灰色的,建築也是灰色的;沒有人在英國把建築漆成明亮的顏色。陽光也很冷。你根本看不到任何顏色。由於北半球的氣候距離赤道相當遠,非常接近北極,所以感覺就是這樣。
太陽早上9點才升起,然後立刻就會在2點時落下,幾乎沒有光線。因此,人們通常會感到抑鬱。因為沒有任何東西能夠刺激感官。如果你是一位聰明的心理醫生,有一個簡單的解決辦法,就是把這些在這段時間感到抑鬱的人放進明亮的房間,讓他們穿上夏威夷襯衫,牆壁上漆上不同的顏色。這樣可以刺激他們,讓他們變得開心!而且這真的有效!他們的能量會變得更多,因為他們的能量進入了‘知道’,而不是‘做’。
他們太枯燥了!
每當你感到生活如此灰暗和無聊,感到抑鬱時,根本沒有其他東西能夠再刺激你,甚至食物的味道也一樣。所有人看起來都一樣,花的氣味也都一樣。我們又看到了一個日落,鳥在樹上飛過,拉屎在地上;這是非常令人沮喪的。
重點是!如果你感到這個世界的一切都是如此令人沮喪,為什麼?這和那些事情無關,這和你有關。因為你的生活中沒有足夠的能量。
如果你此時在倫敦,正處於戀愛中。啊,那是如此美麗;令人驚嘆的建築,如此美好的日落和美麗的鴿子;這是如此可愛!當你真正處於戀愛中,一切都看起來如此美麗!這正是因為你知道你正在如此享受生活。能量流入了‘知道’。你實際上可以‘做’很多,因為生活是好的,當你戀愛時你是沒有問題的。
我想表達的是,我在做者和知者之間做了區分。能量投入到‘做’上;當你在‘知道’上沒有任何剩餘的能量時,生活就會變得黑暗。這就像帶著一個電筒,電池快沒電了,所有的東西都變得暗淡和悲慘,你會感到不安和憤怒。
當你在禪修時發生什麼?因為你不允許能量投入到做事中,你不再像主動和控制一樣,你不再思考和管理;你接受事物,讓事情發生,達至和諧。你沒有在發動戰爭,‘做’事情。你的存在能量開始進入這種備用的覺知。我們在佛教中稱之為正念,知道。你變得更加警覺、清醒和活躍。你會發現自己變得不那麼抑鬱。
我建議,如果你有抑鬱情緒,請練習禪修,你的抑鬱將會消失。你會變得更快樂,更明亮,更積極。這不是你決定要改變自己,而是自然發生的,無論你喜不喜歡。
你看得更多,感受到更多,聽到更多,知道更多,理解得更深;生活的顏色開始變得更明亮。你變得充滿活力,變得快樂。這就是為什麼這種禪修方法,佛陀的教導,變得如此流行。因為不需要去看心理醫生或心理學家,不需要任何理論,不需要任何信仰或閱讀這或那;這自然發生,是克服消極情緒、抑鬱,甚至是暴躁的基本方法;讓你成為一個更快樂、更容易相處的人;我的天!如此多的人來參加我的禪修課程。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
如果遭受到很大的痛苦,您會怎樣辦?
有些人會選擇自殺。
但其實自殺,並沒有解決到問題哦。
我們殺死的是身體,心,從來不會死。
生生世世,身體不斷在生死,心卻一直延續下去,像連綿不斷的流水一般。帶著我們的習慣投向新的生命
痛苦,是因為有不好的習慣,思想錯誤。
我們誤以為有個自我在,覺得這幅身心就是自我
我們覺得身、心、財富、名譽、地位、伴侶、子女、屋子、地方、國家是我們的
當有如意的事就飄起來了
當有不如意的事就傷心欲絕,要走去自殺了
傻豬~怎會有一個自我在呢?身心不斷地轉變,沒有一個實體
財富、名譽、地位、伴侶、子女、屋子、地方、國家不斷在轉變,不由您去控制,怎會是您的?
當我們看得清,所有痛苦就會消除得一干二淨。自殺都不用了
當我們看不清,難度自殺後會解決嗎?
有些人會覺得死了一定會上天堂享受極樂
就算真的上了天堂,難道會快樂嗎?
我們一樣會誤以為有一個自我在,因此心一樣會拿許多東西給這個自我。不斷渴求渴求,不斷貪心貪心
隆波間夏說:‘假如我們開始想要太多,那麼就準備有情緒病吧'
相信這個事實吧,上到天堂,我們都不會開心的,一樣會有抑鬱症的,一樣會有焦慮症的,一樣要自殺的。
因為當我們不斷想要想要,難道全都會如願嗎?
不斷想要想要,甚至整個天堂都想統治,難道會如願嗎?
就是看不到世間、身心的不斷變異之苦;不能掌控之苦;終究會壞滅轉變之苦;因此不斷渴求。
不斷渴求,就要不斷痛苦
因此自殺,殺的是身體,殺不死的是痛苦。
Of Course Psychiatrist could hardly cure any patients
Many psychiatric illnesses are due to the kamma of drinking alcohol and taking recreational drugs (AN8.40)
This kamma leads to a lack of mindfulness.
A lack of mindfulness means an uncontrolled mind , which equals madness or being intellectually-challenged
Many people suffer from emotional disturbances which soon turns into psychiatric illnesses.
What is the root cause of suffering? Selfish cravings
How to eliminate suffering? by eliminating selfish cravings
How can one eliminate selfish cravings? By the noble eightfold path ; which boils down to precepts, stillness and wisdom.
This is the four noble truth
How can psychiatrists teach patients about mindfulness and the four noble truth; when they have never heard of it , or even drowned in sufferings themselves?
精神科醫生當然幾乎無法治療任何病人啦
許多精神疾病都是由於飲酒和吸毒的業力所致(AN8.40)。
這種業力導致正念的缺乏。
缺乏正念意味著心不受控制,這等同於發了瘋或智力障礙。
許多人受到情緒困擾,最後演變為精神疾病。
痛苦的根本原因是什麼?自私的渴望。
如何消除痛苦?通過消除自私的渴望。
如何消除自私的渴望?通過八聖道;這最終歸結為戒、定和慧。
簡而言之就是四聖諦。
精神科醫生如何能教病人正念和四聖諦呢?當他們自己從未聽說過,甚至自己也沉浸在痛苦中呢?
video:
https://www.facebook.com/100077004031206/videos/1151930236611341/?__cft__[0]=AZWtxadXa51Ng5va3_VCStMq188ocO8XREX9UATEc6LT-4Tf3dydAY06w7rf95OkmKGhxH9SyfWofuvsiayj0tJ2CmqTzjSknoYesLXLDv4EVfPqDwAguTio-1WTbnqWB5QPUMnZY2Gg9Jhr_0ASWHHEsQlhd4fdtftJfGNAFGtsfgI8w5Lr1yBN9zCR71z4nQUI8xgoiXIC56RlToN-0KcS&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R
Look at Westerners—
they think they are smart,
but they are full of ego.
Westerners suffer from mental disorders
even more than Asians!
Think about it—
human beings, when they are self-centered,
become more neurotic than dogs.
Do you agree?s must let go of their ego.
看看西方人——他們認為自己很聰明,但卻充滿了自我。西方人比亞洲人更容易患上精神疾病!
想一想——當人類以自我為中心時,變得比狗更神經質。
你同意嗎?
人類必須放下自我。
----Luang por Ganha
Dhamma Talk given on Friday, March 14, 2025
信眾:新的研究顯示,應該鼓勵老年人多說話、多與他人交談。
阿姜布拉姆:問題在於,當老年人與他人交談時,他們總是重複講同樣的老笑話、同樣的老故事,一遍又一遍。你們現在應該早就知道了。
為了預防失智症、阿茲海默症等等,在這種情況下,沉默是否才是金科玉律?或者,如果他們能夠保持沉默,是否反而是美好的?
當你沉默時,你的正念會增加。而當正念強大時,記憶力也就強大。
我在很小的時候,小學時期就隱約發現了這一點。我們學校舉辦了一個小比賽,類似智力測驗。這是一所普通的國小,有不同的「學院」(houses),我記得自己屬於綠學院。他們出了一道題目,全校沒人知道答案,只有我。
問題是:母鴨叫什麼名字?我舉手回答:「叫 pen。」我答對了——正確——而且我是整個小學校唯一知道答案的人。
我也記得老師告訴我事情時,就像我在學校聽講一樣:我的心很安靜,這讓我能記住東西。這真的很有幫助。
我會教學校的孩子:如果你想在學校表現好,又不想花太多力氣,當老師講話時,就讓自己的心非常安靜。不要努力去記住——只要讓它安靜。你就像一塊海綿,能吸收東西。如果海綿已經濕了,就吸不了多少;當它真正乾燥時,就能吸進一切。
所以其實,當你安靜時,你會記住更多東西。
不過老年人很聰明。有很多東西不值得記住,他們會篩掉那些無用的垃圾,只保留真正重要的部分。對不對?
這裡還有誰超過70歲?現在幾歲?70?超過?對,超過70歲很棒,因為有時候我們甚至會忘記自己幾歲。太好了。
現在,超過80歲的?還沒?好,大概是差不多年紀。這裡還有誰超過70歲?泰迪熊?好。
——阿姜布拉姆
2023年10-11月(3/22) | 9天靜修 | 阿姜布拉姆
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8BhHdM2FI&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M6GlBVBdYU5_zus2c75tyWv&index=3
Devotee: New research has shown that the elderly should be encouraged to talk more or have conversations with others.
Ajahn Brahm: The trouble is, when elderly people have conversations with others, they say the same old jokes and the same old stories again and again and again. You should know that by now.
To stave off dementia, Alzheimer's, and so on, would silence be golden for them in this case? Or, if they can be silent, can it be beautiful?
When you're silent, your mindfulness increases. And when mindfulness is strong, that's when memory is strong.
I kind of discovered this when I was really young, back at primary school. We had a little contest, a sort of intelligence quiz, in this ordinary primary school that had different houses. I was in Green House, I remember. They asked a question, and no one knew the answer except me.
The question was: What is the name of a female duck? I put my hand up: "It's called a pen." And I was right—correct—and I was the only one in the whole little school who knew the answer.
I also remember when the teacher told me things, it was like when I was listening at school: I had a quiet mind, which meant I remembered things. That was really helpful.
I teach that to kids at school: If you want to do well at school and you don't want to do much work, when the teacher is talking, make your mind very quiet. Don't try to remember—just make it quiet. You're like a sponge that soaks things up. If your sponge is already wet, it doesn't soak much up. When it's really dry, it soaks everything up.
So actually, when you are quiet, you remember much more.
But elderly people are smart. There are many things that aren't worth remembering. They sift out all that useless rubbish and just keep what is important. Is that correct?
Who else here is over 70? How old are you now? 70? Over? Yeah, it's great being over, because sometimes we even forget how old we are. Excellent.
Now, over 80? Not yet? Okay, it's around about the same age. Who else is over 70 here? Teddy bear? Okay.
----Ajahn Brahm
2023 October - November (3/22) | 9 day Retreat | Ajahn Brahm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr8BhHdM2FI&list=PLf9HOK_Rf1M6GlBVBdYU5_zus2c75tyWv&index=3
一個貪嗔癡很厚重的人,‘自我’很大的人,其中一個特點就是
他不懂得變通! 他不懂得‘執生’!他‘萌塞’!他固執!
就如隆波間夏所說:'如果我們一切以自我為中心,即使我們獲得博士學位或完成最高的僧侶教育(巴利學者,第9級),那仍然只是自我。這屬於過去。當下不會出現新的、美好的事物。它完全不會是跟得上當下的。自我中心是過時的。舊的觀念、舊的方式—只是停留在其中'
這樣的人,永遠不會有新點子,不懂創新,不懂得隨機應變;只會一直沿用舊有的方式。
腦轉得那麼慢,不斷卡住卡住,所以很容易就會被人淘汰,永遠不能擔當高位
所以欲求繁榮的人,必須去除自我,去除貪嗔癡....
A person heavily burdened by greed, hatred, and delusion—a person with a strong "ego"—has one key characteristic:
They lack flexibility! They don’t know how to adapt! They’re stubborn and rigid!
As Luang Por Jan put it:
*"If everything revolves around the self, even if we earn a Ph.D. or complete the highest monastic education (Pali scholar, Grade 9), it’s still just the self. That belongs to the past. Nothing new or beautiful arises in the present. It’s completely out of touch with the now. Self-centeredness is outdated—old ideas, old ways, just stuck in the past."*
Such a person never has new ideas, can’t innovate, and fails to adapt. They just keep repeating the same old methods.
Their mind moves so slowly, constantly getting stuck—so they’re easily left behind, never fit for leadership.
Thus, those who seek prosperity must let go of the ego, abandon greed, hatred, and delusion...
《Benefit of meditation: Make your wisdom extraordinary 》
What happens is that your mind becomes really still, and goes inside itself. It’s the part of meditation. The more focused you become, the more powerful you become.
When you start to become powerful, you can start to do things which normal people cant do. And here is where we start to get the insight of Buddhism.
Not only can you think more clearly, much more deeply than ordinary people; you can actually see the solutions of things. Your memory also increases enormously.
---Ajahn Brahm 13-7-2024
Excerpted from:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
More about Ajahn Brahm
https://www.knownsee.com/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B8%AB%E7%88%B6-masters/%E8%8B%B1%E5%9C%8B-england/ajahn-brahm
photo cred. To who owns it
《禪修的好處:讓你的智慧能力非凡》
當你的心變得非常靜止,並進入內在時,這就是禪修的部分。你越專注,就會變得越強大。
當你開始變得強大時,你能夠做出普通人無法做到的事情。在這裡,我們開始獲得佛教的洞見。不僅能更清晰地思考,還能比普通人更深入地理解;你實際上能看到事物的解決方案。你的記憶也會大幅增強。
---Ajahn Brahm 2024年7月13日
摘自:
https://ajahnbrahmpodcast.stream/episodes/stop-trying-to-meditate-ajahn-brahm?fbclid=IwY2xjawILwtZleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSe5VtSq8CbSvbXXExWyxytCjxqosXsiZXyBIjz09tpG4E3teOIDiv6v1g_aem_jvjwEvVwJYDaWCxztKApAQ
真正的IQ 高是什麼?
我們看啊,真正聰明能幹的人,都會認識自己內心的煩惱
他們會知道,當五蓋(貪、 嗔、 昏沉睡眠、 散亂後悔、 對業力和三寶的疑惑)佔據心時,他便會做不應做的,犯上不應犯的錯。這樣便會讓自己的名譽和快樂都一起受損
當他知道五蓋是心的污染後,便會捨棄它們。
最能幹的人都是這樣。這樣的人也被佛陀稱為有大智慧的人(Ref.AN4.61)
What is True High IQ?
Observe carefully: Truly intelligent and capable people are those who recognize the defilements in their own minds.
They understand that when the Five Hindrances—
1.Greed 2.Hatred 3.sloth and torpor 4.Restlessness & Regret 5. Doubt (in karma and the Triple Gem)
—take over the mind, they will act improperly and make mistakes they shouldn’t. This damages both their reputation and happiness.
Once they realize these Five Hindrances are mental pollutants, they abandon them.
The most capable people do exactly this. The Buddha called such individuals "those of great wisdom" (Ref. AN 4.61).
IQ 絕對不是固定的。
香港電視台曾經訪問過一個家長,就是他發現自己的兒子小時候明明被驗出IQ 超過130,是資優生;但長大後卻變笨,變回普通人那樣。她歸咎是自己不懂培育兒子....
但其實不是的!不是她不懂培育兒子,而是兒子整體的貪嗔癡因為眾多因素而變厚了。
就如佛陀所說,五蓋等煩惱是導致智慧薄弱的因素(AN5.51)
人的智商高低,不太關大腦事,而是關心中煩惱水平事
聽過啊,有些人以絕佳的成績考入醫學院,但畢業後就訴苦說,他們經過六年的醫學訓練,卻變笨了!
其實不是,僅僅只是他們的煩惱變厚了😂
Ajahn Golf 說過一位長老---Luang Pu Janta 的故事。他未出家時其實是文盲的,不識字,看不懂書,頭腦不好。
後來透過發展定力和觀智,他有一天覺悟了。當煩惱被消除,他變成一個很聰明的人。他能夠深入理解佛法和戒律的意義,並且能夠用多種方式解釋它們。不管他去到哪裡,他都知道那些人死後去了哪裡,甚至能知道自己的母親死後的去處。兼且擁有多種神通
所以小時候被驗出智商低,或者認定自己很笨的人;不要妄自菲薄。只需要不斷淨化自己的心,就能讓聰明智慧生起
小時候被驗出是資優生,也不要疏忽大意。因為一旦心被煩惱持續籠罩,任誰都會變到很笨的.....
IQ is absolutely not fixed.
A Hong Kong television station once interviewed a parent who discovered that her son had been tested with an IQ over 130 as a child—he was a gifted student. But as he grew up, he became dull, returning to the level of an ordinary person. She blamed herself for not knowing how to nurture her son...
But in reality, that’s not the case! It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to raise her son—rather, his overall greed, hatred, and delusion had thickened due to various factors.
As the Buddha said, the five hindrances and other defilements are factors that weaken wisdom (AN 5.51).
A person’s IQ level is not so much about the brain—it’s about the level of defilements in the mind.
Some people enter medical school with outstanding grades, but after graduation, they complain that after six years of medical training, they’ve become stupid!
Actually, no—it’s just that their defilements have thickened 😂.
Ajahn Golf once shared a story about Luang Pu Janta, a senior monk. Before ordaining, he was actually illiterate—he couldn’t read, couldn’t understand books, and his mind was dull.
Later, through developing stillness and insight, he one day attained awakening. When his defilements were eliminated, he became an extremely intelligent person. He could deeply understand the meaning of the Dhamma and Vinaya and explain them in many ways. Wherever he went, he knew where people would go after death—he could even discern the destination of his own mother after she passed away. Moreover, he possessed various psychic powers.
So, for those who were tested with a low IQ as children or believe they are stupid—don’t underestimate yourselves. Simply keep purifying your mind, and wisdom will arise.
For those who were identified as gifted children, don’t become complacent and negligent. Because once the mind is continuously shrouded in defilements, anyone can become very dull...
為什麼年紀輕輕卻那麼聰明?
因為正念極強,心清淨,所以思維暢通無阻
他可能過去世有學習佛法或禪修
不一定有任何宗教,只要一些教導與善法、放下執著相應,那就是佛法
也不一定是佛教徒才能禪修
所以這樣…
Why is he so intelligent at such a young age?
Because his mindfulness is very strong, his mind is pure, and thus his thoughts flow unimpeded.
He may have practiced Buddhism or meditation in past lives.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be tied to any religion—as long as the teachings align with wholesome principles and letting go of attachments, that is the Dharma.
Nor does one have to be a Buddhist to meditate.
So that’s why…
《聰明和智慧》
這個世界有既聰明也有智慧的人,也有雖然聰明但沒有智慧的人
關於智慧,其實就是知道:
什麼是善?什麼是不善?
什麼是有罪的?什麼是無罪的?
什麼是應該實行的?什麼是不應該實行的?
什麼做了對我有長久的不利與苦的?什麼做了對我長久的利益、安樂?(MN135)
聰明,則是腦袋轉得快
如果要比喻,我們在駕駛一條船,目的地是要去一個美麗的島嶼。
智慧的多少就像方向盤擺的方向有多準確。智慧越多,偏離得越少;智慧越少,偏離得越多
聰明的程度就好比喻為引擎的效能。越聰明,引擎就越快;越不聰明,引擎就越慢
貪嗔癡越少,智慧就越多,因為能夠看清事物,分辨善惡。
但如果腦筋要轉得快,其實心也需要清淨哦,也要少貪嗔癡哦,這樣思想才會無阻,才會快捷。
那為什麼會有人雖然聰明但沒有智慧?
例如有些人可以很火爆,罵人罵得很兇;但做事做得很妥當很有效率。
也例如,有些醫生出身的官員,如果他們不聰明,讀書不好,就不能考到醫生了。但他們作出決策時,可以沒有智慧;瘟疫時,可以下令殺掉全個地方的某個物種。雖然可以提出很有力的科學證據來支撐,但實際上造了惡業,也引來許多人的詬病和批評。就這樣傷害自他。
為什麼會這樣?
假如一個人要聰明,他們必須爛熟於禪定,快速遠離五蓋和煩惱。他們必須具備這樣的能力。
例如大家知道Ajahn Brahm 在出家前在哪裡讀書嗎? 劍橋大學!在大學時期,Ajahn Brahm 已經能進禪那了。他往往都會在考試前修習禪定。當心處於遠離煩惱的狀態,他自然腦筋轉得快,答題也答得非常準確。最後?他以一級榮譽的頭銜在物理系畢業!
Ajahn Brahm 也提到,有一位參加禪修營的女士告訴他。當她還在墨爾本大學學習時,她從不參加輔導課,她根本不需要,因為她每年都能獲得最高分。秘訣就是禪修,訓練內心的平靜。這讓她能聆聽並記住所有課堂裡的內容。在考試或寫作業的時候,她腦海中浮現的第一個想法就是她最後寫下來的東西,並且都是正確的。
Ajahn Brahm 也提到,有一位來自英國的僧人。他的女人剛剛從醫學院畢業。她幾乎沒有參加任何補習課,甚至不去上課。但她每年都能名列前茅。為什麼?也是禪修!
聰明但沒有智慧是可能的。例如 Ajahn Brahm 開示說,有人向自己作禪修報告時,說自己禪修時,看到很醜陋的禪相。
如果看到禪相,那表示定力已經接近禪那的程度了。
Ajahn Brahm 便解釋,他之所以會看見醜陋的禪相,是因為他戒有所污染!
雖然有持戒,但我們又有多少人的定力可以培育到這般的程度?
這種禪定的能力,是一直以來累積和訓練過來的。所以雖然戒律不太好,但因為過去的禪定波羅蜜,也能快速讓心定下來。
戒律不好,其實即表示智慧不太強。所以聰明但沒有智慧是可能的
但當然,戒律和煩惱不能過厚。聰明但沒有智慧的人,必然是品德不會過差的人,心靈品質不會過差的人。
例如雖然他戒律不全,但他仍堅守某些道德原則。他可能為了別人多過為自己。
例如一些打仗的軍師,雖然他帶領軍隊殺人造惡業。但他堅信這是為了國家好,而不是為了私利。當他堅信自己做的是正確的時候,他就不容易後悔。心也不難定下來。所以這些軍師可以很聰明,往往能夠出奇制勝。
一個人可以在平時維持在禪定的狀態,但決策時因為沒有智慧,會把平時積累的心力和定力用在惡業那裡,而又會做得很有效率和條理分明。
所以這是聰明但沒有智慧。
但假如心太壞,太過自私;連聰明也會失去了。
就好像提婆達多那樣,當他想統領僧團時,他的神通立即失去了。 (ref. 律藏) 神通的失去,代表他禪那已經不太進到了。這是因為他的貪嗔癡已經強到一定程度。
但有智慧的人,都是聰明的人。因為當有智慧的時候,我們會知道什麼是善,什麼是不善;我們只做善的,不做不善的。這個稱之為有戒。
我們知道貪嗔癡不好,無貪無嗔無痴是好的;因此會去除貪嗔癡。
空於貪嗔癡的心總是處於禪定的狀態。
當有定力時,他必然腦筋也會隨著轉得快
所以有智慧的人也必然是個聰明人。
而且因為他的整體煩惱比那些聰明但沒有智慧的人少;所以他必然會比這些人還要聰明。
因此,最聰明的人必然只會在佛教中找到,因為在佛教中才能找到永久根斷一切煩惱的人。
例如佛陀那樣,他有一切知智,智商冠絕古今全人類。
例如舍利佛那樣,他有僅次於佛陀的聰明和智慧,位列人類史上智商第二名。
例如阿羅漢龍軍尊者那樣,他有不可思議的辯才和才智;能夠解答和化解彌蘭王一切刁鑽的質問和挑戰。
所以這就是才德兼備.....
《Cleverness vs. Wisdom》
In this world, there are people who possess both cleverness and wisdom, and there are those who are clever but lack wisdom.
Wisdom, in essence, is knowing:
What is wholesome? What is unwholesome?
What is blameworthy? What is blameless?
What should be cultivated? What should be abandoned?
What leads to long-term harm and suffering? What brings lasting benefit and happiness? (MN 135)
cleverness , on the other hand, is simply mental sharpness—how quickly the mind works.
【A Metaphor: Sailing to an Island】
Imagine we are sailing a boat toward a beautiful island.
Wisdom is like the accuracy of the direction. The more wisdom one has, the less one strays off course. The less wisdom, the more one drifts from the right way
cleverness is like the power of the engine. The cleverer, the faster the boat goes; the less clever, the slower.
The less greed, hatred, and delusion (rāga, dosa, moha) one has, the more wisdom one gains, because the mind can clearly discern right from wrong.
But for the mind to think quickly, it must also be pure—free from defilements. Only then can thoughts flow unhindered and swiftly.
Why Are Some People Intelligent but Lack Wisdom?
For example:
Someone may be hot-tempered, yelling at others aggressively, yet still work efficiently and effectively.
A doctor-turned-politician may be highly intelligent (otherwise, they couldn’t have become a doctor), but their decisions may lack wisdom—such as ordering the mass culling of a species during an epidemic. They may cite strong scientific evidence, but the act creates bad karma and draws public outrage. Thus, they harm both themselves and others.
【How Can cleverness Exist Without Wisdom?】
To be truly clever, one must be skilled in stillness, quickly abandoning the five hindrances (nīvaraṇas) and defilements.
Do you know where Ajahn Brahm studied before ordaining? Cambridge University!
Even as a student, he could enter jhāna and would meditate before exams. With a mind free from defilements, his thoughts were sharp and precise. Result? He graduated with First-Class Honours in Theoretical Physics!
A woman at one of Ajahn Brahm’s retreats shared that during her time at the University of Melbourne, she never attended tutorials—yet she topped her class every year. Her secret? Meditation. Meditation made her remember every details in class; It also gave her perfect recall—the first thought that arose in her mind during exams was always the correct answer.
Another meditator, which is the daughter of an England monk Ajahn Brahm knows, is a medical student in the UK who has just graduated. She rarely attended lectures but still ranked at the top. Again, the key was meditative training.
Yet, one can be clever without wisdom.
Ajahn Brahm once recounted a meditator who saw ugly nimittas. nimitta is a sign of deep stillness nearing jhāna.
Ajahn explained that the ugliness arose because the meditator’s precepts (sīla) was tainted.
Their samādhi (stillness) was strong due to past cultivation, but their wisdom was weak (since wisdom upholds pure conduct).
Thus, intelligence (mental speed) can exist without much wisdom (moral clarity).
However, one’s virtue cannot be too poor, and his defilements cannot be too heavy.
A clever but unwise person is not entirely immoral—they still uphold some ethical principles, perhaps acting more for others than themselves.
For example, a military strategist may lead armies to kill, believing it’s for the nation’s good rather than personal gain. Since he truly believes in his cause, he won't regret, and his mind remains calm and decisive, allowing him to outmaneuver enemies.
Such a person may maintain stillness for most of the time, but when it is decision making time, he misapply it to unwholesome deeds, executing them with ruthless efficiency.
But if the mind becomes too corrupted—too selfish—even cleverness fades.
Devadatta, when he sought to take control of the Sangha, lost his psychic powers (iddhis) immediately(Vinaya Piṭaka)—proof that his ability to enter jhānas had faded because his defilements grew too strong.
【The Wise Are Always clever】
A wise person knows what is good and bad, thus only acting virtuously. This is called having sīla (moral discipline).
He also know that defilements are bad, elimination of defilements is good; he thus abandons greed, hatred, and delusion.
A mind free from defilements naturally abides in samādhi (stillness).
With samādhi, the mind becomes sharp and quick.
Thus, a wise person is always clever—and since they have fewer defilements than an clever-but-unwise person, they are even more mentally agile.
【The Smartest Minds Are Found in Buddhism】
Only in Buddhism do we find those who have permanently uprooted all defilements, thus reaching the highest levels of cleverness and wisdom:
The Buddha—possessing omniscient wisdom (sabbaññuta-ñāṇa), his intellect surpasses all of humanity.
Ven. Sāriputta—second only to the Buddha in wisdom, ranking among the greatest intellects in history.
Ven. Nāgasena—whose brilliant debates with King Milinda showcased his unmatched analytical prowess.
Thus, true excellence combines both intelligence and virtue...
"IQ and EQ"
People often like to separate IQ and EQ in their discussions. However, they are actually interconnected.
Most people believe that those with high IQs are smart, while those with high EQs are good at managing emotions.
In reality, how can someone who struggles to manage their own emotions be considered smart? Everyone in this world lives to find happiness. A person who is often jealous of others, angry, quick to temper, stingy, greedy, and perpetually dissatisfied cannot truly be seen as wise. Having a lot of knowledge but lacking happiness—is that really intelligence?
A person with high EQ does not allow their heart to be troubled; when defilements arise, they actively seek to eliminate them. The five hindrances that cloud the mind—greed, hatred, restlessness and regret, sloth and torpor, and doubt—are lightened, allowing their wisdom to shine through.
When a person possesses wisdom, they:
Know their own interests.
Know the interests of others.
Understand the interests of both (AN 5.51).
If this isn’t high IQ, then what is?
A person with a high IQ is also a person with a high EQ. A person with a high EQ is also a person with a high IQ.
《IQ 和 EQ》
人們都喜歡將 IQ 和 EQ 割裂出來說明。但其實他們是一體的
一般人會覺得IQ 高的人是聰明人
EQ 高的人是善於管理情緒的人
事實上,一個不善於管理自己情緒的人,怎會是聰明人呢?
所有人活在這個世上都是為了得到快樂。
一個常常妒忌別人,生氣,發脾氣,吝嗇的,貪婪,不滿足,心一直處於痛苦狀態的人,怎會是聰明人呢? 有很多知識,但連快樂也得不到的話很聰明嗎?
一個高EQ 的人,不會讓自己的心煩惱,煩惱一生起就設法去除。
障礙污染他心的五蓋(貪婪,嗔恚,散亂後悔,昏沉睡眠,疑惑不安)輕薄,他的智慧因此能夠彰顯出來。
當一個人有智慧的時候,他
1. 知道自己利益
2. 知道他人利益
3. 知道兩者利益(AN5.51)
這不是高 IQ的話 還可以是什麼?
高 IQ 的人就是高EQ 的人
高EQ 的人就是高IQ 的人
《變聰明的方法》
佛陀說,當一個人被五蓋滲透,困擾的時候,
他將不能如實地知道怎樣從五蓋中出離
他不會如實知道和看見自己的利益
不會如實知道和看見別人的利益
即使是平時一直在背誦的東西,也記不起來,更何況平時少接觸的資訊?
這五蓋是什麼?
貪-粘著,執著目標。貪求執著影像,聲音,香味,味道,觸感,情緒/其餘的所緣。把它們拉向心中
嗔-妒忌,吝嗇,生氣,不滿,怨恨。把東西從自己的心那裡推開
昏沉睡眠-心的暗黑昏沉、懶惰
掉舉後悔-心的散亂和後悔
疑惑-對業力,三寶,佛陀的教導起疑惑。
當我們被五蓋纏繞的時候,我們是愚蠢的
【貪心】
例如貪心的時候,就算平時智商有多高,騙徒一樣可以騙到我們。因為心被蒙蔽,那時智商是零。有許多人看似都拿到錢了,然後他說:‘你把這麼多錢投進去,做簡單任務,就可以得到50% 的回佣。’ 又真的走去相信了。
他說‘對不起,你沒有跟我們指示做事,現在罰你,你要給更多錢才能贖回剛才的錢,過後一次過拿回’ 又走去相信了,一次又一次地走去相信。因為被貪欲執著蒙蔽,心有不甘。
這是不知道自己的利益
當我們被貪心遮蔽的時候,雖然對方是我們的朋友,我們平時想他好。但這時我們可能會去偷他東西,可能會去和他老婆通姦。這樣去損害別人的利益,讓人難受。當我們不知道和漠視別人的利益的時候,我們是愚蠢的。因為我們已經為自己和他結怨了,也造下了惡業,未來將會很痛苦。
這時我們其實不僅不知道他人的利益,也不知道自己的利益,不知道兩者的利益
【嗔恚】
別人見我們和朋友的感情那麼好,便下計去離間我們。說些誹謗的說話。
我們一聽,立即生氣了。連追查都不追查,立即就去相信。就這樣斷送了友誼,中了別人的計
這是不知道自己的利益。
我們生氣的時候,就算我們本身是想他好,也會傷害他,說他是非,離間他和別人的感情,罵他,讓他難受。這是不知道對方的利益。
當我們不知道對方的利益的時候,其實也是不知道自己的利益。因為自己也造下了惡業,會得到壞名聲,後悔的惡果,及來世地獄的去處。
【昏沉睡眠】
當我們的心昏沉睡眠的時候。就算別人在說關乎我們利益的事情,我們也渾渾噩噩聽不進去了。這是不知道自己的利益
我們想幫助別人,也因為心混沌,而懶惰提不起勁去幫助他。這是不知道他人的利益
我們心不清醒,懶惰;明明在駕車,然後睡著撞車了,讓整輛車的人都死去了。因為沒有盡好責任,自己也下地獄去了。這時我們不知道自他的利益。
【掉舉後悔】
當我們的心散亂的時候,我們不能專心做有益自己的事情,不能專心工作,然後被人罵。這是不知道自己的利益
我們也不能專心幫助別人,這是不知道別人的利益。
當我們做錯事,損害了別人的利益,自己也受罰。這是不知道自他兩者的利益
【疑惑】
當我們有疑惑的時候,我們對業力有所質疑,我們對行善遲疑,不去行善,自然得不到行善的好處,這是不知道自己的利益
因為對業力疑惑,我們便對作惡沒有慚愧之心,傷害了別人。這是不知道別人的利益
當我們對四聖諦有所疑惑,不知道一切都是苦,而去執著。我們想要控制操控別人,為他帶來痛苦;也為自己帶來痛苦。這是不知道自他的利益
【去除五蓋】
佛陀教導,這五蓋應被去除。
我們透過放鬆,放下,讓禪定生起。
當一杯水被拿起來死死盯著的時候,水會不斷晃動
但當那杯水被放下,放到桌子上,水便會慢慢平息。
不論修什麼業處,甚至是沒有業處;只需放鬆,放下,禪定便會生起,喜悅便會生起。有時甚至能進入禪那
沒有五蓋的心是清明有智慧的。當心夠清明,便會知道自己的利益,別人的利益,知道兩者的利益。
這時,我們的記憶力會變好。就算很少接觸的資訊也能記起。
心夠清明的時候,沒有人再能愚弄,誘惑我們,因為智慧非常銳利。我們種種潛能都被勾起來了
【神通】
當心脫離五蓋的時候
稍加訓練,或者根本就自然顯現,我們將能
1.具備天眼通-知道未來,知道業的運作,知道有情從哪裡來(他們的過去世),死後依循業力會去哪裡(他們的未來世)。看見天界,鬼的世界,地獄
2.具備天耳通-聽見肉耳聽不見的聲音,天神的聲音,鬼的聲音,地獄的聲音,很遠的聲音
3.具備宿命通-記起自己許多個前世
4.具備神變通-能夠飛天遁地,隱身,穿牆破壁,在水上行走,手摸日月
5.具備他心通-能知道別人內心的狀態,別人在想什麼
6.具備漏盡通-透過觀察條件組合的事物的無常,苦,無我而永久斷除一切煩惱。這是最重要的神通,因為滅盡煩惱的心,阿羅漢們說是非常快樂的,比天神還要快樂,快活過神仙。
這些神通就是屬於高等智。
以上都是脫離五蓋的利益。
Ref. : AN5.193, 5.23
photo cred. to who owns it
俗語有云:‘人蠢無藥醫’
的確,如果我們蠢,去看中醫、 西醫,甚至是巫醫;吃什麼藥,相信都不能讓我們變聰明😂
中醫有補腎中藥,不知效果有多大
西醫有Ritalin 、 Adderall 、Modafinil等等的所謂‘聰明藥’ 。這些藥物實為受管制的危險藥物,亦是根據《藥劑業及毒藥條例》註冊的處方藥劑製品,主要用於治療過度活躍症或渴睡症,必須按醫生建議服用,亦只能憑醫生處方在藥劑師或其監督下的註冊藥房購買。 有關藥物主要為患有專注力不足者改善專注力,普通人服食有關藥物不單無助學習,反而有機會危害健康。以「利他林Ritalin 」為例,該藥屬興奮劑一種,亂服會損害中樞神經,引致失眠、作嘔、頭痛、焦慮、心跳加速等徵狀,甚至有生命危險。
所以如果想要聰明藥,醫生應該幫不到我們😂
但另一方面,人蠢卻可以有藥醫。
這種藥不是什麼藥,而是法藥,佛陀給的藥
為什麼人會蠢?我們要知道,那是因為正念不足的原因。那些弱智、 精神病;都是因為嚴重缺乏正念,心極度散亂遊走,完全不受控。而正念就是念念分明不忘失於當下、 心的清醒。當一個人正念越密集,貪嗔癡越少;他就會越清醒、 越清明、 記憶力會越好(AN5.193) 、工作能力越好(AN5.23)、越聰明、越有智慧(AN5.51)
當有正念的時候,貪嗔癡一定不存在。
當有貪嗔癡時,正念一定不存在
所以正念越密集,貪嗔癡就會越少;一個人就會越聰明
他將能知道什麼對自己有利,什麼對他人有利,知道雙方的利益(AN1.45)
而怎樣去除貪嗔癡? 佛陀的教導就是要修習八聖道:
正確的見解、正確的思維、正確的說話、正確的行為、正確的謀生方式、正確的努力、正確的憶念(正念)、正確的定力
濃縮來說,就是戒定慧
再簡單來說,就是去除自我、 去除我們的自私心
一旦一個人可以這樣做到;他將能從一個大蠢人變成一個智商極高的人
條件允許的話,今生就能做到
There is a saying: "A fool cannot be cured." Indeed, if we are foolish, seeing a traditional Chinese doctor, a Western doctor, or even a witch doctor; taking any medicine will likely not make us smarter. 😂
Traditional Chinese medicine has herbs for kidney tonification, but who knows how effective they are?
Western medicine has so-called "smart drugs" like Ritalin, Adderall, and Modafinil. These are actually regulated dangerous drugs, registered under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance as prescription medications, primarily used to treat ADHD or narcolepsy, and must be taken as directed by a doctor. They can only be purchased at registered pharmacies under the supervision of a pharmacist with a doctor's prescription. These medications are mainly aimed at improving focus for those with attention deficit issues; for ordinary people, taking these drugs not only does not help with learning but can also harm health. For example, "Ritalin" is a stimulant that can damage the central nervous system if misused, leading to symptoms like insomnia, nausea, headaches, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and even posing a life-threatening risk.
So if you want "smart drugs," doctors probably won't be able to help us. 😂
On the other hand, foolishness can indeed be cured. This cure is not a regular medicine but a Dhamma medicine, the medicine given by the Buddha.
Why do people act foolishly? We need to understand that it is due to a lack of mindfulness. Those who are intellectually disabled or mentally ill suffer from a severe lack of mindfulness, with their minds extremely restless and uncontrolled.
Mindfulness is the ability to be clear and present in the moment.
The more concentrated a person's mindfulness is, the less greed, hatred, and delusion they have; they will become more aware, more clear-minded, have better memory (AN 5.193), better work ability (AN 5.23), become smarter and wiser (AN 5.51).
When mindfulness is present, greed, hatred, and delusion cannot exist.
When greed, hatred, and delusion are present, mindfulness cannot exist.
Therefore, as mindfulness increases, greed, hatred, and delusion decrease; a person becomes smarter.
They will be able to discern what is beneficial for themselves and others, understanding both parties' interests (AN 1.45).
So how can we eliminate greed, hatred, and delusion?
The Buddha's teaching is to practice the Noble Eightfold Path: Right view, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right stillness.
To summarize, it boils down to morality(precepts), stillness, and wisdom. Simply put, it means eliminating the sense of self and our selfishness.
Once a person can accomplish this, they can transform from a great fool into a highly intelligent person.
If conditions permit, this can be achieved in this life.
For more about the benefits of Buddhism to life:
Benefits of Buddhism to Life
<照相式記憶>
什麼是'照相式記憶' (photographic memory) ?
那比喻一些人過目不忘. 能夠精準地回憶起過去的一些資料和場景,就像照相機那樣保留一切記憶
存在嗎? 存在!
Ajahn Keng 在出家初期,曾經在閱讀和背誦課誦文時遇到了困難.
他怎樣去應對?
Ajahn 說,他找到了一個方法. 就是他會在坐禪時進入禪定幾個小時. 然後當他從禪定中退出來後, 再一頁一頁地翻閱課誦本上的經文, 並在腦海中' 截屏' .
然後,他會再次進入禪定,以加強和鞏固那些經文.
通過這種方法,他能夠在幾天內就記住很長的經文.
所以有些人以為'照相式記憶' 只是神話和傳說
但並不是這樣的
只要任何人能夠嫻熟於禪定,讓心平靜;他就能從一個記憶力不佳的人,蛻變成記憶力極強的人
信佛有什麼好處?
就是可以 bye bye 惡道😂
佛陀說啊,任何人假如對佛陀、法、聖僧眾有不壞的信心,他不可能會再投生到地獄、鬼、畜生界的任何一道 (AN3.76)
但要具備對三寶的不壞凈信心,必須要明白並且實踐四聖諦
我們要知道第二聖諦:種種痛苦,都是由於內心的渴求
第三聖諦:只要我們熄滅內心的渴求,痛苦也就立即熄滅了
而能夠熄滅渴求和痛苦的方法,就是八聖道,或者簡單來說--戒定慧
如果我們不斷這樣實踐去撲滅內心的痛苦,而非轉向其他神靈,我們是不會再對佛法懷疑的了。因為以上的道理是即時見效的,能夠自己體驗到的。
而誰人說這個四聖諦出來的?當然就是佛陀,我們會對祂的覺悟不再有任何疑惑
而我們是誰? 就是僧囖~我們在實踐佛法哦~
我們因此不會再對三寶有任何懷疑,有不壞的信心。到了這個程度,我們就會知道,我們不可能再下惡道了
但佛陀沒有說這些人是入流者,也沒有說他們一定會證悟涅槃。
或許只是生生世世、永永遠遠不再下惡道,但未必肯定會證悟涅槃。唯有當我們加上具備慷慨布施/五戒清淨這兩個特質之一,我們才是入流者,除了不再下惡道之外,我們未來肯定會證悟涅槃 (AN5.179, SN55.6)
**What are the benefits of faith in the Buddha?**
It means you can say goodbye to the lower realms! 😂
The Buddha taught that anyone who possesses unwavering faith in the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Noble Sangha will never again be reborn in any of the lower realms—hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, or the animal realm (AN 3.76).
---
**How does one attain such unshakable faith in the Triple Gem?**
It requires understanding and practicing the **Four Noble Truths**.
1. We must recognize the **Second Noble Truth**: All suffering arises from craving within the mind.
2. We must realize the **Third Noble Truth**: Suffering ceases immediately when craving is extinguished.
3. The method to extinguish craving and suffering is the **Noble Eightfold Path**, or simply put—precepts, stillness, and wisdom.
When we consistently practice to quench the suffering in our minds—without turning to other deities—we will no longer doubt the Dhamma. This is because the truth of these teachings is immediately verifiable through direct experience.
Who revealed these Four Noble Truths? **The Buddha**, of course. At this stage, we no longer harbor any doubt about His enlightenment.
And who are we? We are the **Sangha**—those who practice the Dhamma.
Thus, we will no longer doubt the Triple Gem and will possess unshakable faith. At this level, we can be certain: **We will never fall into the lower realms again.**
---
**But is this enough to be a Stream-enterer?**
The Buddha did **not** say that such individuals are Stream-enterers, nor that they are certain to attain Nibbāna.
They may be freed from the lower realms for countless lifetimes but are not yet assured of enlightenment.
To become a **Stream-enterer**—guaranteed not only to avoid the lower realms but also to attain Nibbāna—one must additionally cultivate either **generous giving** or **purity in the Five Precepts** (AN 5.179, SN 55.6).
---
So, keep practicing—with the four qualities of stream enterers—and we’ll not only avoid the lower realms but also walk steadily toward the ultimate liberation. 🌟