离家

Leaving Home

作为一个修行人，如果在家修持，极易为贪嗔痴的外境所转。即使自己想安住，也会因亲朋的打搅而生烦恼。所以，离家修行是上上之举。

If a spiritual seeker tries to do his practices at home, he is likely to be influenced by situations of craving, hatred, and delusion. Even if he has every intention of concentrating on his studies, friends and relatives easily stir up his emotion. Hence, the smartest thing to do is to stay away from home to practice.

佛经云：“何处生烦恼，须臾不得住。”

The scripture says: “A place that incites afflictive emotions is a place not to stay even for an instant.”

博朵瓦也说：“远离故乡与亲友，如理作意弃散乱，此等之人趋解脱。”

Geshe Potowa also says: “Leave behind your hometown, relatives, and friends. Give up distractions and steer your mind according to the teachings. By doing so, you will attain liberation.”

臧巴加惹的修行语录中也有这样一段话：“烦恼因外境而生，不舍弃故乡真是愚痴；修行需对治烦恼，不依对治者真是愚痴；听闻佛经依因缘而得，不筹备因缘真是愚痴。若远离故土，即使谣言四起，也不后悔；心依止上师，即使饥饿而死，也不后悔；若通达心性，即使短暂依师，也不后悔。若远离家乡，即有了对治烦恼的好缘起；不贪图乐果，即已产生正信的好缘起；舍弃世间法，是发布施的好缘起。不舍弃故乡，贪嗔是不会间断的。因此，首先离家极重要。世间琐事不能舍弃，就无时修持；世间财物不能放下，就不能斩断亲友的牵连。”

The following quote is found in Tsangpa Gyare’s teachings on practice: “External circumstances trigger afflictive emotions, clinging to one’s homeland is indeed foolish. Spiritual practice is meant to subdue disturbing emotions, knowing not to apply antidotes is indeed foolish. The opportunity to hear the Dharma results from causes and conditions; not knowing to create favorable causes and conditions is indeed foolish. Having left the homeland far behind for practice, you have no regret whatsoever even if rumors abound. Having resolved to follow a spiritual teacher, you have no regret even if you die from starvation. Having realized the nature of the mind, you have no regret even if your time with the teacher was brief. To leave the homeland is a favorable condition for overcoming afflictions. To give up the craving for pleasure is a favorable condition for establishing right views. To banish worldly affairs is a favorable condition for making offerings. So long as you are attached to your homeland, you cannot rid yourself of greed and avarice. Henceforth, the first crucial step is to bid farewell to your home. If you cannot give up worldly engagements, you will never have the time to practice. If you cannot relinquish your worldly possessions, you will never sever entanglements with friends and relatives.”

看来，故土家园的过患确实无穷。大智者应难舍能舍，难行能行。

In all, it seems the ills of staying in one’s homeland are indeed endless. A truly wise person should let go of what is difficult to give up and carry out what is difficult to do.

远离家乡和财务的纠缠，依止静处时，才能深切感受到诸大德教言的胜妙之处。

Only when we have settled in a secluded place, free from tangles of money and homeland, shall we come to appreciate deeply the sublime meaning of the masters’ teachings.

壬午年三月二十日 　
2002年5月1日

20th of March, Year of RenWu
May 1, 2002