〖一杯水〗
来拜访我的人中,有很多在社会上已有著高等的地位,他们当中有富商、大学毕业的、教师与政府官员。他们内心充满对事物的种种看法。他们太聪明了,以致听不进别人的话。这就像一杯水。如果一个杯子里充满了肮脏不新鲜的水,它并没有什么用处。只有当脏水倒尽,它才有可用之处。你们必须先除去你们充满意见的心,然后才能领悟。我们的修行是超越聪明与愚痴的,如果你认为你很聪明、富有、重要、是佛学专家,这就掩盖了“无我”的真谛了。你所见到的只是自己——我、我的。然而,佛教是入下“自我”的。那些太聪明的人将永远学不到东西,他们首先必须除去他们的才智——空掉他们的“杯子”。
Cup of Water
Many of those who came to see me have a high standing in the community. Among them are merchants, college graduates, teachers, and government officials. Their minds are filled with opinions about things. They are too clever to listen to others. It is like a cup of water. If a cup is filled with stale, dirty water, it is useless. Only after the old water has been thrown out can the cup become useful again. You must empty your minds of opinions, then you will see. Our practice goes beyond cleverness and stupidity. If you think that you are clever, wealthy, important, or an expert in Buddhism, you cover up the truth of non-self - I and mine. But Buddhism is letting go of self. Those who are too clever will never learn. They must first get rid of their cleverness, first empty their "cup".