The Joy of the Buddha

　　佛陀的喜悦

If all is impermanent, unsatisfactory, and selfless, then what is the point of existence? One man watches a river flow by. If he does not wish it to flow, to change ceaselessly in accord with its nature, he will suffer great pain. Another man understands that the nature of the river is to change constantly, regardless of his likes and dislikes, and therefore he does not suffer. To know existence as this flow, empty of lasting pleasure, void of self, is to find that which is stable and free of suffering, to find true peace in the world.

　　如果一切都是无常、苦(不圆满)、无我的，生命还有什么意义呢?一个注视著一条川流不息的河水的人，如果不希望河水流动，不希望它照著它的本然不断地改变，他必将痛苦不已。另外一个人了解河流的本质是不断地改变的──不论他喜欢与否，因此他就不会痛苦。去明白生命如这流水──欢乐的空、自我的空，就是去找寻稳定和苦的解脱，寻找世间真正的安宁。

'Then," some people may ask, "what is the meaning of life? Why are we born?" I cannot tell you. Why do you eat? You eat so that you do not have to eat anymore. You are born so that you will not have to be born again.

　　“然而，”有些人可能会问道:“什么是生命的意义?我们是为了什　而出生的?”我没办法告诉你们。为什么你要吃东西?你吃东西是为了不需要再吃任何东西了；你出生是为了不再出生。

To speak about the true nature of things, their voidness or emptiness, is difficult. Having heard the teachings, one must develop the means to understand.

　　论及事物真实的本然，它们的空或无，非常困难。听了这些教导之後，我们必须展开方法去理解。

Why do we practice? If there is no why, then we are at peace. Sorrow cannot follow the one who practices like this.

　　为什么我们要修行？如果没有为什么，那我们就是在平静之中了。忧伤是无法追随一个如此修行的人的。

The five aggregates are murderers. Being attached to body, we will be attached to mind, and vice versa. We must cease to believe our minds. Use the precepts and calming of the heart to develop restraint and constant mindfulness. Then you will see happiness and displeasure arising and not follow either, realizing that all states are impermanent, unsatisfactory, and empty. Learn to be still. In this stillness will come the true joy of the Buddha.

　　五蕴是杀手，执著身体，就会去执著心；反之亦然。我们必须停止去相信我们的心。用戒律和内心的宁静来增长抑制和相续的正念。然後，你将洞彻快乐和不快乐的生起，也不会跟随它们。了解所有的状况都是无常、苦和空的。学习冷静，在这样的平静中将会产生佛陀的“真正的喜悦”。