The One Hundred and Fifth Letter 第一百零五封
| 2022-10-21 | Download | AI assisted translation
| 第一百零五封 |
Letter 105 |
| 恭敬师父老人慈悯： |
Revered Elder Master, in your compassion: |
| 昨日小徒已起一函求开示。时下确是烦恼颠倒。所以今早来寺内，向佛菩萨求问占卜。因小徒心烦，不欲留住此地，但又不决何往，总是得失挂心。求占卜说：八月份可启程去柏林寺，或东北。但去后，因人缘有障，不利。 |
Yesterday, this humble disciple wrote a letter seeking your instruction. At present, I am truly troubled and confused. Therefore, this morning I came to the temple to seek divination from the Buddhas and bodhisattvas. My mind is vexed, and I do not wish to remain here, yet I cannot decide where to go; thoughts of gain and loss are always on my mind. The divination said that in August I may set out for Bailin Temple or the Northeast. But after going, obstacles in my relations with others will make things unfavorable. |
| 又说，未来修行前景一般，还俗有利。因有缘在，时在七年后。 去年刚出家不久，遇某某老师，说小徒“可能会破戒”。这话在心里时有所现，想来他说的一定有缘故的。当时愚徒就说，宁可还俗，不要破戒。 |
It also said that the prospects for future practice are only ordinary, whereas returning to lay life would be advantageous. There is an affinity for this, and it will occur seven years hence. Not long after I left home last year, I met a certain teacher who said that I “might break the precepts.” These words occasionally arise in my mind, and I suppose he must have had some reason for saying them. At the time, this foolish disciple said that I would rather return to lay life than break the precepts. |
| 如上种种，看来确实前景不妙，所以求不破戒落恶报为首要了。求证本来，了生死，亦非心想就能事成。 乞求师尊慈悲引导小徒，终能事如心愿。时下颠倒，功夫上不去，心又息不了。唉，修行之不易哉！劣习难除。 |
All this seems to indicate that the outlook is indeed unfavorable, so my foremost wish is not to break the precepts and fall into evil retribution. To realize one’s original nature and transcend birth and death is not something that can be accomplished merely by wishing for it. I beg the Venerable Master to compassionately guide this humble disciple, so that I may ultimately fulfill my aspiration. At present I am confused; my practice cannot advance, and my mind cannot settle. Alas, how difficult practice is! Bad habits are hard to eradicate. |
| 【志军：这封信就不要转交某某了，另一封信我已答复他了。他既春心蠢动，思还俗他往，勉留无益，随他去留自由吧。 |
[Zhijun: Do not pass this letter on to so-and-so. I have already replied to him in another letter. Since his worldly passions are stirring and he is thinking of returning to lay life and going elsewhere, there is no benefit in reluctantly trying to keep him. Let him be free to stay or leave. |
| 学佛修道本非细事，慷慨豪放的大丈夫始克承当，小根器人如何担当得起？！某某凡心未死，不吃一番大苦，如何能醒？他此去非但不能趁心，还将受颠沛之苦，这都是迷人自作自受呀！可胜叹哉！】【你所惧者，人去寺空。 |
Studying Buddhism and cultivating the Way are by no means trivial matters; only a magnanimous and resolute person can undertake them. How could a person of limited capacity bear such a responsibility? So-and-so’s ordinary mind has not yet died away. Without undergoing great hardship, how can he awaken? This departure will not only fail to go as he wishes, but will also bring him the sufferings of instability and hardship. Such are the consequences that deluded people bring upon themselves! How lamentable!] [What you fear is that, when people leave, the temple will be empty. |
| 这不要紧，你们不是有多员大将吗？派一人住寺就行了。况且弘法的事，有缘则接引众生，无缘则自了，不在佛事兴隆不兴隆上。何必为此耿耿于怀呢？俟有缘的佛子来归，当为你们介绍前来住寺。好吧，一切放下，任某某去留自由吧，也是无福在此消受的。】 |
That is of no consequence. Do you not have several capable people? Simply send one person to reside at the temple. Moreover, in propagating the Dharma, when there is affinity, one guides sentient beings; when there is no affinity, one attends to one’s own liberation. It does not depend on whether Buddhist activities flourish or not. Why brood over this? When Buddhist disciples with affinity come to take refuge, I will introduce them to you to reside at the temple. Very well—put everything down and let so-and-so be free to stay or leave. He simply lacks the good fortune to benefit from being here.] |
| 某某合十顶礼 |
So-and-so joins palms and bows in homage |
| 1994年七月初二 |
Second day of the seventh lunar month, 1994 |
| 【永寿童子】回想当年，习气发作，不知有多少次。也这样可怜。不止一位师兄感慨过：无可奈何花落去。 |
[Young Disciple Yongshou] Looking back on those days, I do not know how many times my habitual tendencies flared up. I too was like this—so pitiable. More than one Dharma brother has lamented: “Helplessly, the flowers fall away.” |
| 【LVM】须注意一个前提：公布别人的信函，须经他本人同意，不可冒冒失失地侵犯他人的隐私权！内院贴出就已经不合适了，若整理稿件，必须把所有别人的信函都删除掉！ |
[LVM] One premise must be observed: before publishing another person’s letters, you must obtain that person’s consent. Do not rashly infringe upon another’s right to privacy! It was already inappropriate to post them in the Inner Court. If the manuscripts are to be compiled, all letters written by other people must be deleted! |
