郭朝顺院长谈「在无常中安住、感恩」Abiding in Impermanence and with Gratitude

• 2023-12-27
• buddhist网站管理员

112-1期末全院集合 院长勉励话语
2023/12/27

今天是系学会举办年终感恩晚会的日子，照理讲我不应该说太严肃的话，破坏气氛。
Given that today's year-end appreciation feast is organized by our Students' Association, I should refrain from discussing a serious topic that could dampen the festive atmosphere.

不过，我大概从青少年时期开始，对于欢乐的节日，总是有着复杂的情绪，一是欣喜期待，另外则是结束后人去楼空的感伤；而且年纪日长时，感伤更常压过欢欣之情。
However, I have probably had complex emotions about joyous celebrations since my teenage years. On one hand, there's the excitement and anticipation, but on the other hand, there's the sense of nostalgia that lingers when it all concludes. As I've grown older, this feeling of nostalgia often surpasses the joy.

研究佛学之后，我知道这种情绪便是爱别离苦。要避免爱别离苦的方法，有人用的便是冷漠无情。可是我想佛陀应该是多情之人，不然他就不会不舍众生。
After learning about Buddhadharma, I've come to understand that these emotions represent the suffering caused by attachment and separation. To avoid the suffering of attachment and separation, some choose to become indifferent and unfeeling. However, I believe that the Buddha must have been a compassionate being, or else he wouldn't have felt such deep compassion for all sentient beings.

我们无法让时间停格在快乐与欣喜的时候，欢欣总会结束，可是结束时未必要悲伤。佛陀的境界，应该是能在无常中安住，不论悲欣得失皆能自在。
We cannot make time stand still only during moments of happiness and joy. All joys will eventually come to an end, but their conclusion doesn't necessarily have to be accompanied by sadness. The state of mind the Buddha achieved is the ability to dwell in impermanence, finding ease regardless of sorrow, joy, success, or loss.

凡事总是在结束时，我们才易于察觉无常，但无常便是觉悟的契机。
In all things, it's often at their conclusion that we are most likely to perceive impermanence, yet impermanence itself is the gateway to enlightenment.

纵使我们还未能学会佛陀般的自在，但且让我们，在今年即将结束之时，以感恩之心，来感谢这一年来的每个无常，更要感谢曾经在某个片断时刻、某个角落，帮助我们、为我们照亮前途的每一位生命中的贵人。
Even though we may not have learned to attain the same level of serenity as the Buddha, let us, as this year draws to a close, express our gratitude for every impermanent moment it has brought. Let us especially appreciate all the individuals who, at some point, in some corner of our lives, have assisted us and illuminated our path.