什么是生命的本質(zhì)？它對(duì)生命的作用是什么？【中英對(duì)照】

　　生命之光，是讓人充分認(rèn)識(shí)每一時(shí)、每一事都是生命的本質(zhì)光輝照耀下的作用。

　　The Light of Life helps people fully realize that every moment and every activity is the manifestation of the light of the essential nature of life.

　　什么是生命的本質(zhì)？它對(duì)生命的作用是什么呢？

　　What is the essential nature of life? What effect does it have on our lives?

　　我們可以舉個(gè)例子來了解這個(gè)本質(zhì)。冰、霧、小溪，它們的本質(zhì)是一如的——都是水，是因?yàn)橥ㄟ^不同溫度的差異變成了不同的狀態(tài)。不同的狀態(tài)會(huì)產(chǎn)生不同的作用力或者說不同的用途：冰有冰的用途，霧有霧的用途。

　　Here is an example that helps us understand this essentialnature. Ice, mist and water in a stream are different states of water under different temperatures. These states are different manifests of water and possess the same essential nature of water. Yet each produces different forces, has different applications, and serves its own purposes.

　　那我們的生命也有種種不同的現(xiàn)象與狀態(tài)，不同的狀態(tài)也會(huì)產(chǎn)生不同的作用力與用途，但都像水一樣有其共性與本質(zhì)所在。

　　As we live our lives, we enter different states and conditions （different manifests of life）， each with their unique force and purpose. Yet all states of life retain the same essential nature, just as water retains its essential nature across different states.

　　我們要了解我們自身的狀態(tài)給自己與他人會(huì)帶來什么樣的作用力，這是十分重要的。通過一個(gè)結(jié)果去追溯它的來源，審觀自己的言說、作為，對(duì)自己內(nèi)心的需要做出相應(yīng)的選擇。

　　What is the impact of our own states onto others and our own being? This is an important question to ponder. By tracing a consequence back to its origins and by introspecting on our words and actions, we can make choices based on our inner needs.

　　我們先從一個(gè)國際社會(huì)現(xiàn)象的兩方面去分析與觀察。比如戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)，不管是宗教之間、階級(jí)之間、種族之間、窮富之間、優(yōu)秀與卑微之間等等所有的戰(zhàn)爭(zhēng)，其焦點(diǎn)就是爭(zhēng)議、排斥、不包容，相互之間就會(huì)傷害、敵視與毀壞；反之，相互之間的協(xié)商、包容、理解與支持，就會(huì)帶來安穩(wěn)與平和。

　　Let us first observe and analyze both sides of an international affair, such as a war. Whether it’s between religions, social classes, races, the rich and the poor, or the privileged and the deprived, a war is always centered around disputes, denial, and intolerance, which in turn lead to harm, hostility and destruction on both sides. In a different scenario, negotiation, tolerance, understanding and support between conflicting parties will lead tostability and peace.

　　社會(huì)現(xiàn)象中許多尖銳的問題如果有了智慧的觀察，就可以溫性地去解決它。對(duì)立兩方之間的隔閡，在相互包容、許可的情況下不斷地給予支持、教育與調(diào)整，尖銳的問題就會(huì)得到解決，把暴力、仇恨、傷害變成理解、包容與支持。像美國黑人做總統(tǒng)就是一個(gè)很好的例子。過去，種族、膚色之間的隔閡是十分突出的，通過教育、尊重、理解，讓人慢慢地接受了下來，實(shí)際就是一個(gè)相互包容、理解的過程。

　　Many tough issues in today’s society can be resolved peacefully if people observe them wisely. Providing persistent support, education and adjustment based on mutual tolerance and acceptance can bridge wide rifts between conflicting parties, turning violence, hatred and harm into understanding, acceptance and support.The fact that the US had its first black president shows that even with a long history of segregation, the American people have learned to accept one anotherby means of educating, respecting and understanding each other. This is a process of mutual tolerance and understanding.

　　我們作為一個(gè)普通人，可以通過這些社會(huì)現(xiàn)象的觀察與了解，或者通過自身作為的結(jié)果對(duì)自己、對(duì)他人帶來什么，反觀自己內(nèi)心真正的需要去選擇、去調(diào)整，人就會(huì)體會(huì)到生命的自由與光輝。

　　We as ordinary people can observe and learn social phenomena and the consequences of our actions on others and ourselves. By doing so, wecantrace back to our inner needs and make choices and adjust based on what we truly desire. Then the freedom and light of life is unleashed.

　　有許可、有包容的生命價(jià)值是最光輝的，因?yàn)樗�融匯了、支持了所有的生命。我們做生命排斥的、輕視的、敵對(duì)的事情，我們的生命會(huì)得到不自由，會(huì)造成所有生命對(duì)自身的屏蔽與障礙，反作用力就會(huì)回饋與自身。

　　The light of a life that permits and encompasses others is the greatest, because it unites and supports all states of life. When we discriminate, reject and create confrontation with others, we will be shackled by our own actions, driving all states of life to undercut and block us. In the end, harm always reciprocates.

　　生命的種種現(xiàn)象狀態(tài)，就像冰、霧、小溪，不同的狀態(tài)展示著不同的作用力， 其本質(zhì)是水，那平等性就是它的本質(zhì)。我們透過這些現(xiàn)象與問題，了解它的本質(zhì)，了解它的共性，認(rèn)清了本質(zhì)就不會(huì)在有差異的狀態(tài)上去相互地仇恨、嫉妒、排斥，而是相互地尊重、包容與理解。

　　The various phenomena and states of lifeare comparable to ice, mist and stream. Although these different phenomena display different forces, their essential nature remains the same, i.e.， water. The nature refers to the equality of varied forms. If we see through the façade of phenomena and problems to fully understandtheir nature or commonality, we will then not attach to different phenomena, thus no longer to resort to hate, jealousy or rejection and instead respect, tolerate and understand.

　　我們依止著這個(gè)本質(zhì)來解決我們生活中所遇到的問題，人內(nèi)心都需要的善良、慈悲、智慧、方便就會(huì)凸顯出來，愚昧、痛苦、傷害等等這些人類不需要的困惑也能真正走出來，使我們?cè)谌祟愋枰�的心理特質(zhì)上逐漸成熟起來，展示出來，讓生命的本質(zhì)光輝照耀著我們的每一個(gè)作為。

　　If werely on this essential nature to guide us through the challengesof our lives, thekindness, compassion, wisdom and skillful means that is direly needed will shine through, guiding us through the labyrinth woven of confusion, i.e. ignorance, suffering and harm that we human beings don’t need. Gradually, the positive mental qualities that all human beings need will mature and manifest. Let the light of the essential nature of life shine upon our every conduct. 

　　原標(biāo)題：?jiǎn)⒂蒙�命的本質(zhì)光輝 【 中英對(duì)照 】

　　文章轉(zhuǎn)自微信公眾號(hào)：菩提眼