短短十六字，字字都是希望

短短十六字，字字都是希望

佛教关于心性的理论极为丰富，主要有两大系统，一是真心的系统，一是妄心的系统。这也是修行的两个不同起点。

Buddhism presents many teachings on the nature of the mind, which can be categorized into two systems: the system of the true mind and the system of the deluded mind. They represent two starting points in spiritual practice.

真心，即如来藏的体系，认为“一切众生皆有佛性”，这是佛教和其他宗教、哲学不共的观点。佛教中，《楞严经》《楞伽经》《如来藏经》《涅槃经》等经典都在阐述这一思想。

The system of the true mind, or of the Tathagatagarbha, teaches that “all sentient beings have Buddha-nature.” This unique perspective sets Buddhism apart from all other religions and philosophies. Buddhist scriptures such as the Surangama Sutra, the Lankavatara Sutra, the Tathagatagarbha Sutra, and the Nirvana Sutra all expound upon this idea.

禅宗也是建立在这样的见地之上。《六祖坛经·序品》曰：“菩提自性，本来清净，但用此心，直了成佛。”菩提，即觉悟。慧能大师开宗明义，直接告诉我们：每个生命内在都具有觉性，这就是成佛的潜质。

Chan Buddhism is founded upon this insight. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch states in its first chapter, “Bodhi, our self-nature, is inherently pure. Awaken to it, and you will directly attain Buddhahood.” Here, bodhi refers to enlightenment, and self-nature refers to our own essence. Master Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chan, directly tells us that every life possesses the potential for enlightenment, the very potential for achieving Buddhahood.

所以，成佛并不是痴人说梦，不是遥不可及的幻想，当我们体认到内心本具的觉性，在某个层面就与诸佛无二无别了。这句话虽仅短短十六字，却振聋发聩——因为它为我们指出了生命的希望所在，出路所在。

Thus, achieving Buddhahood is not a far-fetched dream but an achievable reality. By tapping into our inner potential for enlightenment, we are, in essence, no different from all buddhas. Master Huineng’s pithy declaration has awakened many to the hope and direction of life.

我们还要知道，虽然有希望，但不能盲目乐观。我们不妨看看，现在的这个“我”是什么？抛开外在的相貌、身份、地位，剩下的无非是一大堆混乱情绪和错误想法。我们每天都忙于满足这样那样的渴求，实现这样那样的需要，但这些渴求和需要真的那么重要吗？真的必不可少吗？

However, although there is hope, we cannot be blindly optimistic. Let us look at who this “I” truly is. If we set aside our appearances, identities, and status, what often remains is a chaotic mess of emotions and misguided thoughts. Every day, we are busy satisfying our desires and needs. But are these desires and needs really that important? Are they indispensable?

事实上，很多人从未考虑过这些，只是随着自己的感觉，扑腾到这里，又扑腾到那里，终日忙忙碌碌。这颗心却依然动荡，依然找不到安身立命的所在。我们甚至不敢闲下来面对自己，因为这种面对会让那些貌似重要的追求变得不堪一击，这将让人多么沮丧，多么无所适从啊！

The truth is, many of us have never questioned this, simply drifting from one feeling to another, endlessly busy. This, however, does nothing to calm our minds or give us a sense of stability or purpose. We often avoid taking the time to reflect on ourselves because doing so might expose the fragility of our pursuits. What if our goals are not as significant as we thought? This realization will leave us feeling lost and disheartened.

摘自《凡圣只在一念间》

作者：济群法师

Excerpted from:

A Moment of Awakening that Changes Everything

By Master Jiqun