郭朝順院長談「在無常中安住、感恩」Abiding in Impermanence and with Gratitude

• 2023-12-27
• buddhist網站管理員

112-1期末全院集合 院長勉勵話語
2023/12/27

今天是系學會舉辦年終感恩晚會的日子，照理講我不應該說太嚴肅的話，破壞氣氛。
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.

不過，我大概從青少年時期開始，對於歡樂的節慶，總是有著複雜的情緒，一是欣喜期待，另外則是結束後人去樓空的感傷；而且年紀日長時，感傷更常壓過歡欣之情。
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.

研究佛學之後，我知道這種情緒便是愛別離苦。要避免愛別離苦的方法，有人用的便是冷漠無情。可是我想佛陀應該是多情之人，不然他就不會不捨眾生。
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.

我們無法讓時間停格在快樂與欣喜的時候，歡欣總會結束，可是結束時未必要悲傷。佛陀的境界，應該是能在無常中安住，不論悲欣得失皆能自在。
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.

凡事總是在結束時，我們才易於察覺無常，但無常便是覺悟的契機。
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.

縱使我們還未能學會佛陀般的自在，但且讓我們，在今年即將結束之時，以感恩之心，來感謝這一年來的每個無常，更要感謝曾經在某個片斷時刻、某個角落，幫助我們、為我們照亮前途的每一位生命中的貴人。
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.