“尋找自由” – 聖者大寶法王泰耶多傑 為了標記 印度獨立66週年（2013年8月15日），在 臉書 所發的特別訊息 –
Finding Freedom – a special message from His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje for his Facebook community, to mark India’s 66th Independence Day on 15 August 2013.
大部份人都覺得自由是能隨心所欲的說話及行動。我們覺得自由是在乎於外在環境。如果不能隨著心願去行動，我們覺得大多數是因為社會所施的限制。自然也會覺得他人便是自由的敵人。這樣我們構成二元對立的觀點。引致在爭取自由時，大多時間會挑戰及希望征服敵人。
‘Most of us tend to think about freedom as being able to say and do what we want. We think of freedom as depending on external circumstances. If we can’t do what we want, we think, this is largely due to society’s constraints on us.
So, naturally, we think of ‘others’ as the enemies of freedom. In this way, we create a dualistic perspective, and as a result freedom becomes mostly about challenging our enemies, our foes… and about overcoming them.
但是過了一段時間，我們可能會懷疑。我們開始問自己，究竟自由是什麼一回事。我們對外的這一種觀點，不斷引起疑問。為什麼？因為這樣是沒完沒了的。因為沒有解決問題的根源。那我們究竟怎樣才找到自由？
But then, after some time, we might have some doubts, and we might start to ask ourselves, “Is this what freedom is really about?” The very nature of this outward perspective is that such doubts would keep popping up. Why? Because it is endless; because the actual source has not been dealt with. So how do we actually find true freedom?
對我來說，佛學的觀點是非常有趣，因為它解決問題的要點。它不但向外看，還注重內觀，嘗試明白自己。
For me, the Buddhist viewpoint is so interesting because it actually deals with the core of the problem. It focuses not only outwardly, but also on an inner perspective, on trying to know ourselves.
目前，我們以為可以做想做的事，便是自由。但並非如此。其實我們依靠很多東西才能生存。首先，我們依靠食物。當然，如果飢餓的時候，我們可能會病倒，或作出會後悔的事。在這基本的層面上，我們對外依靠。這還未了。雖然在先進及發達的社會裡，人類基本的要求已被照顧。我們已經不用為這些擔心。但是我們還是依賴。
Right now, we may think that we are free do what we want, but actually we are not. We are totally dependent, totally dependent on so many things.
First and foremost, we are dependent on food, of course, because if we go really hungry we may become ill, and we may end up doing regrettable things. So, already on this primal level, we are dependent.
最重要的是依賴情緒。比如每當經驗到恐懼時，我們會找嗔心作支持，因為憤恨似乎是我們唯一的防護。我們還是依賴。
But it doesn’t stop there. Even in our modern, well-developed societies, where so many of our basic needs are already taken care of and where most of us don’t have to worry about these basic human needs, we are still dependent.
Most of all, we are dependent on our emotions. For example, whenever we experience fear, then we naturally go back to anger for support, because anger seems like the only way to defend ourselves – so once again, we are dependent.
如果坐下來認真的想，會察覺我們沒有能力去控制很多東西，會覺得多麼無能。
And so that’s why, if we really sit down and think about it, we come to realise that we have no control over so many things, and at that point we actually experience just how powerless we are.
那怎樣找真正的自由？在佛學觀點中，自由的力量在於控制我們的行為，不在於行為的本身。真正的自由是能夠控制自己：首先控制身及語；最重要是控制心識。
So, again, how can we achieve true freedom? In Buddhism, the power of freedom lies in controlling what we do, not the action itself. Genuine freedom is about gaining control of ourselves; gaining control of our bodies and speech initially, but above all, our minds.
從這觀點看，自由來自明白我們的心識、明白問題及障礙的根源。最終還是要解決‘自我’概念的問題。這是各種問題的根源。
From this point of view, freedom comes from knowing our minds, knowing the real root of our problems, the real root of our obstacles. This ultimately involves dealing with the idea of self itself – because it is actually from there that all forms of challenges derive.
我認為有或無宗教信仰的人，如果能夠精進及捨己為人，都有真正的到自由的潛能。這些人能夠花精力、腦力、時間去達到願望。因為這內在的力量，如果配合適合的時機、方法及路徑，他們能多走近自由。
I believe that both spiritual and non-spiritual people who are willing to work hard and make sacrifices for the benefit of others, have a real potential for gaining freedom. Such people are able to put physical work, mental energy and time into whatever it is they want to achieve. Because of this inner strength, if they happen to come across the right circumstances, the proper methods, and a genuine path, they are much closer to actual freedom.
真正的自由是內在的、是能夠控制身、語、意。無論外在或內在環境是這樣，我們都會快樂。做什麼也充滿信念。
True freedom is total freedom within yourself, gaining control of your body, speech and mind. Then, almost regardless of external or outward circumstances, you are happy. You can do things with full conviction.
在身體方面，內觀包括留意飲食、保重身體及避免生病。這些只是首一步。然後，語言也是非常重要。我們必須與人溝通。這是無可避免的。語言必然有它的功用。重要的是學習有效地溝通的方法及技巧。最後，但最重要的是真正的自由存在思想及心識中。每一行動，無論好與壞，都源自心願及觀點。所以心所是非常重要的。
In terms of the body, this internal focus means, for example, watching your diet, taking care of your body, and doing other things to make you less prone to illness and help avoid many physical problems. But this is just an initial step.
Next, speech is very important. We have to communicate, we have no choice on this matter. So speech must have some ability – it’s important to learn the ways and skills how to communicate, and how to convey your message adequately.
And finally, and most importantly, true freedom lies in your thoughts, your mind. Every action – whether it’s a good or a bad one – will finally be decided by your intention, and by how you view things. So the mental factor is very, very important.
得到自由，先要馴服身、語、意。做到這一點，會發覺得到的自由度遠在意料之外。
So, to gain freedom, you need to discipline your body, speech and mind. By doing so, you will actually gain much more freedom than you might think.
這樣來說，馴服不是限制自己。馴服自己相反會帶來自由。
In this way, discipline is actually not about restricting yourself – quite the contrary, you discipline yourself in order to gain freedom.
當你能控制‘自我’時，你便得到整世界的自由。首先，你要了解‘自我’的本質。做到這一點，你明白沒有一個‘自我’可以被傷害或羞辱。
When you control your ego or your self, you have all the freedom in the world. First of all, you realise the nature of ego, and by realising that, you have no ego to be harmed or to be ashamed.
真正的自由來自征服‘自我’- 即個人及全球障礙的根源。我覺得馴服‘自我’是很有趣的事。能夠在內在的經驗下功夫帶來多麼自由的感覺。我們能控制的內在經驗是那麼多；能控制的外在因素又是那麼少。所有的困難都是源自‘自我’。希望你們如願，能夠在‘自我’當中找到自由。
True freedom comes from conquering the self – the real root of our obstacles, our personal and global problems. I find it very interesting to deal with the self. It is liberating to work on inner experiences that we can do so much about, rather than focus on external circumstances alone, many of which we can have no control over. All challenges have their origin in their self. May you find the freedom you wish for in your selves.’
