第十七世大寶法王聽列泰耶多傑 – 對信眾問題的回應 – 2013.11.06
His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje responds to disciple’s question – 6.11.2013
問題：
尋找平衡：對無常的認知是修行的重要動力。但是在家人往往忙於照顧家庭及工作。乃至剩來進修佛學、內省及禪修的時間很少。為了增加修行的時間，我們是否應該刻意限制工作時間，找一份較悠閒的工作、避免結婚（因為婚姻會增加對家庭的責任）？我覺得修行是非常重要的。但只要我們生存，謀生、家庭及朋友也重要。現世的環境不允許我們像 密勒日巴 般極端，單靠蕁麻維生。請問您可否給一些忠告我們在家人，好待平衡修持及日務？
Question :
• Finding Balance: realisation of impermanence is an important part of building the motivation to practice. However, lay persons are mostly still caught up with work and family, and the time left for dharma study, inner reflection and meditation becomes little. Should we consciously try to limit the time spent on work by getting a less hectic job and try not to get married – which will increase family commitments – just so we have time to practice? Practice I feel is very important, but if we continue to live on beyond our next breath, bread and butter, family and friends are also important. The current day and age does not allow us to be like Milarepa and be so extreme as to survive on nettles alone. What is your advice to us lay persons as to how to balance practice and our mundane lives?
聖者大寶法王的回答：
His Holiness Karmapa Thaye Dorje’s response:
首先，我們要知道修行的價值。我想發問者明白它的價值。
First of all, we have to be aware of the value of practice. I think the person who asks this question seems to understand the value of it.
為了令其他人能決定怎樣找平衡、及明白這條問題的答案，我想明白佛法的價值是重要的。
For other people, in order to decide how to balance such things, and also to understand the answers, I think it is important to know the value of Buddha dharma.
明白佛法的價值，與明白他人、及與人溝通的重要性，有極度密切的聯繫。這問題與家庭有關、也與佛法有直接關係。在某方面，把時間分割用來照顧家庭或修行，比起初預計更複雜。
Knowing the value of Buddha dharma is deeply connected with knowing the value of other people, and the connection with them. Now in this case, the person asks about family – which is directly related to Buddha dharma. So in some ways, the idea of separating family time and time to practice is a little bit more complicated than it first seems.
我們先要完全明白佛法的價值及意義。然後再要問：『在此地、此環境、此時，我能做什麼？』
So first of all one has to really understand the value and meaning of the Buddha dharma. The next step is to ask the following question: ‘What can I do, according to where I am right now, according to my own circumstances, and my own time?’
這問題與管理時間有關。那我們要在問自己：『我可以做到什麼？』當然，我們要現實地衡量有能力做到什麼、什麼是必須、什麼不是。可能我們浪費了很多時間在一些無必要的事項。我想我們要鼓起勇氣，慢慢地捨棄這些不必要的事項。
This question is all about managing time, so again we may ask ourselves ‘What can I manage?’ Of course, we have to look at it quite realistically in terms of what is manageable, and also in terms of what is necessary and what is unnecessary. There may be a lot of things that we spend our time on which are quite unnecessary, and I think we then have to find the courage to be able to somehow slowly, slowly let go of these unnecessary activities.
這些事項因人而別。對某些人，繪畫是有益的；可能利益自己及他人。對另一些人，繪畫簡直是浪費時間。我們要因而衡量。我們需要誠實地探索可以做到什麼、什麼是必須和有利。
These could vary from one individual to another. For some, maybe painting is beneficial; maybe it is a way to somehow benefit oneself and others. For others, it might be a complete distraction, so accordingly we have to see. What is required is an honest exploration into what can be done, what can be managed, and what is necessary and beneficial.
經過在這些範圍上思考，我們便能挑戰『缺乏時間』的問題。真的。當在這些範圍上續一思考過，我們其實已經能找到方法節省時間。我們已經有進步。最少，我們能更深入了解自己的境況。
So I think if we cover these areas, then we are able to challenge this idea that there isn’t enough time. Indeed, just by going through these questions, we are actually making time – we are already making progress. At the very least, we develop a deeper understanding of our situation.
經過在這些範圍上思考後，剩下來，只需把我們的時間規劃，乃至做到必須及有益的。在這情況，我們要分配時間修持；分配時間給他人。我們所有都要做，但要做得恰當、平衡。拿捏平衡是困難，但重要。記緊佛法觸及我們生命及經驗的每一方面、人與人之間的聯繫。從某一方面看，每一霎那都是修行及尋找平衡的機會。
Once we have covered these questions, then I think we are left with the last step. This is to plan our life so that we are able to do everything that is necessary and beneficial. In this case, we have to make time to practice; we have to make time for others; we have to do everything, and somehow make it quite balanced, equal. It is difficult to find this balance, but it is important to plan in this way. It is also important to remember that the Buddha dharma reaches into all aspects of our life and experiences, and our connections with others, so in some ways every moment is also an opportunity to practice and to find balance.
