Friday, July 13, 2012



Dhammapada verse #150

此城骨所建,塗以血與肉,儲藏老與死,及慢並虛偽。

This city’s made of bones
plastered with flesh and blood,
within are stored decay and death,
besmearing and conceit.

☆☆☆

【第150偈的故事】

嘉娜帕達卡婭妮公主是佛陀姨母的女兒。她長得很美麗,別人都稱呼她美人兒。她與佛陀的堂弟難陀訂有婚約。有一天,她內心如此想著:「我的兄長,雖然可以成為聖王,卻放棄世間而出家,成為聖者,他就是佛陀。他的兒子羅侯羅和我的未婚夫難陀都出家為比丘。我母親是比丘尼。現在只剩我孤單一個人!」這番思量之後,她就自行出家為比丘尼。但她是因為執著於家庭而出家,而不是出於對佛法的信仰而出家。

她聽說,佛陀經常說色身無常。她於是認為,佛陀如果看見她,一定會輕視她的美貌,所以,就不去見佛陀。但從精舍回來的其他比丘尼不停地贊譽佛陀,有一天她終於決定與他們一齊去佛陀的精舍。佛陀看見她來時,心中如此想著:「刺可以用刺加以拔掉,嘉娜帕達卡婭妮非常執著於她的色身,對她的美貌非常驕傲。我必須經由美貌這件事去破除她的驕傲和執著。」

佛陀於是運用神通,示現一位年僅十六歲,卻極美麗的女人坐在他身旁。只有嘉娜帕達卡婭妮才看得見這女子。當她看見這女子時,發現若與之相比,自己就像只又老又醜的烏鴉坐在美麗的白天鵝旁邊。她非常喜歡這女子,但再次注視時,卻訝異地發現該女子變成二十歲的女子。然後,每當她注視時,該女子一次又一次的變老,先變為成熟的女子,再是中年婦女,高齡女性,然後是老邁不堪的老太婆。而且,新的形象產生後,舊的形象就消失了。這時候她才認清人身不停地變化和衰老。有了這一層的領悟之後,她對自身的執著也雲消霧散了。這時候,該女子進一步的老化,已經無法支撐身體,整個人癱瘓在地上了。最後死掉,全身浮腫,流膿,蛆蟲更從身子跑出來。看完整個過程後,嘉娜帕達卡婭妮心中想著:「這女子就在我眼前衰老、死亡,同理,我的肉身也會衰老變化、生病而後死亡。」經過這番省思之後,她深刻了解人身的真相。後來,她更一步信受奉行佛陀的教誨,而證得阿羅漢果。

備注:「虛偽」古譯為覆。

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯

Saturday, July 7, 2012



Dhammapada verse #149

猶如葫盧瓜,散棄於秋季,骸骨如鴿色,觀此何可樂?

These dove-hued bones
scattered in Fall,
like long white gourds,
what joy in seeing them?

☆☆☆

【第149偈的故事】

一群比丘到林子裡去禪修,不久之後就進入禪定。這時候,他們認為已經脫離一切 感官欲望,而證得阿羅漢果了,就想回去向佛陀報告。但事實上,他們高估自己了。

  當他們抵達精舍的外門時,佛陀告訴阿難:「這些比丘這時候來看我,得不到多大 的法益,叫他們先去墓園,再回來吧。」阿難向他們轉告佛陀的話,他們認為佛陀一切 智具足,一定有充分的理由要他們如此做,就出發去墓園。

  在墓園裡,他們看見腐爛的屍首(註)時,還能心平氣和地看待這些屍首,但當他 們看見剛死的屍首時,他們恐怖的發現,心中仍然有蠢蠢欲動的欲念。這時候,佛陀從 精舍看見他們的舉動,就放光,告誡他們:「比丘們!觀看屍首時,內心卻昇起欲望對 嗎?」

  這些比丘察覺到一切感官欲望變化多端,難於調伏的性質後,徹底明白佛法。

註:屍首有十種相:
  1.膨脹相 2.青瘀相 3.膿爛相 4.斷壞相 5.食殘相
  6.散亂相 7.斬斫離散相 8.血塗相 9.蟲聚相 10.骸骨相
  佛世時,以上十種相的屍首可以在墓地和停屍間找到,在這些地方的屍首都尚未掩埋或火化,所以野獸和鳥類經常來噉食。現在當然無法找到這些屍首,做為觀想的對象。

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯

Friday, July 6, 2012



Dhammapada verse #148

此衰老形骸,病藪而易壞;朽聚必毀滅,有生終歸死。

All decrepit is this body,
diseases’ nest and frail;
this foul mass is broken up
for life does end in death.

☆☆☆

【第148偈的故事】

優塔蘿比丘尼高齡一百二十歲。有一天,在化緣回來的路上遇見一位比丘,她就請該比丘接受她的供養。比丘同意後,她於是把化緣得來的所有時候都給他,一點也沒留給自己。接連三天,她都如此做。

  第四天,她正在化緣時,在狹窄的路上遇見佛陀,她恭謹的向佛陀問訊,然後退後,卻不小心踩到袈裟而跌倒了。

  佛陀趕緊上前去安慰她:「妳一定要了解,妳的身子日漸衰老孱弱,隨時都可能碎散掉。」

  優塔蘿比丘尼專心思考佛陀的教誨,終於證得初果。

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯

Thursday, July 5, 2012



Dhammapada verse #147

觀此粉飾身;瘡傷一堆骨,疾病多思惟,絕非常存者。

See this body beautiful
a mass of sores, a congeries,
much considered but miserable
where nothing’s stable, nothing persists.

☆☆☆

【第147偈的故事】

王舍城中有一位非常漂亮的妓女,名字叫做絲蕊瑪。她每天都供養食物給比丘們。有一天,一位比丘向其他比丘提及她的美貌和供養的美味食物。一位年輕比丘聽說有這麼一位美麗的女子後,雖然從來也沒見過她,卻暗戀上她。第二天,這年輕比丘和其他比丘一齊到絲蕊瑪家去。這一天,她身體不適,但仍然想要親自向比丘們致敬,就要求把她抬到比丘們面前。這年輕的比丘終於看到她了,這時候他內心想著:「儘管生病,她仍然那麼美麗。」因此更加迷戀她。

  當天晚上絲蕊瑪就去世了。國王頻婆裟羅王拜訪佛陀時,向佛陀提及絲蕊瑪去世一事。佛陀建議國王先不要埋葬她,相反地保留三天。第四天,絲蕊瑪的身子不復美豔、討人喜愛了,反而膨脹,蛆蟲也從身上跑出來。這一天,佛陀就帶領著眾多弟子到墓園去觀看她的身子。那位深深迷戀絲蕊瑪的年輕比丘一直不知道絲蕊瑪已經去世的消息,所以當他聽說佛陀要帶領其他比丘去見絲蕊瑪時,也滿心歡喜地一齊前去。

  佛陀也請國王宣告,只要付一千銖,絲蕊瑪就可以陪出資的人一夜,但儘管一再調降金額,最後甚至免費,也沒人有意願。佛陀就告訴比丘們說:「比丘們!當絲蕊瑪還活著的時候,多少人願意花千銖的錢,只希望與她共渡一晚,但現在即使完全免費,也沒人有興趣,人身無法倖免於生老病死啊!」

  聽完佛陀的說法後,這年輕的比丘終於領悟了生命的實相。

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯

Monday, July 2, 2012



Dhammapada verse #146

常在燃燒中,何喜何可笑?幽暗之所蔽,何不求光明?

Why this laughter, why this joy,
when it’s ever blazing?
Shrouded all about in gloom
won’t you look for the light?

☆☆☆

【第146偈的故事】

從前,一群舍衛城的男子請毘舍佉照顧他們任性的妻子們,希望在她的指導之下,她們能有宗教信仰和德行。

  有一次,毘舍佉在她們的請求之下,帶她們到一處花園去,但他們卻瞞著毘舍佉,帶酒去,更喝醉了,毘舍佉就譴責她們,說她們的先生會很生氣。

  後來,她們要求再去花園,但毘舍佉鑑於上一次的經驗,加以拒絕,她們轉而要求到祇樹給孤獨園向佛陀頂禮問訊,毘舍佉也就答應了。到達給孤獨園時,她們再次啜飲私自帶來的酒。毘舍佉就請佛陀向她們說法,但這時候她們都醉了,魔波旬也趁機慫恿她們縱情一番,她們果真就在園中大聲喧鬧,唱歌、跳舞、鼓掌雀躍不已,佛陀明白她們受到魔波旬的影響才會如此放肆,便在心裏想著:「絕不能讓魔波旬有機可乘。」

  佛陀於是從眉間放出暗藍色的光,使整個屋子暗下來,他們因此受到驚嚇,慢慢安靜下來,佛陀接著從位子上消失,然後化身在須彌山上,放出千個月亮般的白光。

  佛陀告誡她們:「妳們不該在園裏如此不恭敬。由於妳們的疏忽,魔波旬才有機會使妳們不知羞恥地放浪形駭,現在開始撲滅心中的欲望和其它邪惡的激情吧!」

  佛陀確定她們都對佛法建立起無可動搖的信心後,才返回祇樹給孤獨園。毘舍佉也趁機請教佛陀有關飲酒的問題,佛陀就向她們解釋飲酒的害處,並且說明無數眾生因為飲酒而受到痛苦的折磨,甚至失去幸福。

  佛陀說法後,她們終於明白佛法,從此走向戒律和正念的修行大道上。

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯

Friday, June 22, 2012



Dhammapada verse #145

灌溉者引水,箭匠之矯箭,木匠之繩木,善行者自御。

Irrigators govern water,
fletchers fashion shafts,
as joiners shape their timber
those of good conduct tame themselves.

☆☆☆

【第145偈的故事】

殊卡沙彌年紀很小的時候就接受舍利弗尊者的剃度而出家為沙彌。有一天,他隨從舍利弗尊者外出化緣。路上,他看見幾位農夫正在引水灌溉,幾位製作弓箭的人正在矯直弓箭,另外有些木匠則正在製作車輪。

  他請教舍利弗尊者,是否這些沒有生命的東西(水)都可以任意由人引導或製作成想要的形式(箭和車輪)?

  舍利弗回答說,只要具備足夠的技術,當然可以。

  殊卡心想,既然沒有生命的東西都可以加以調御,那麼毫無理由說具有心識的人無法調御內心,修習清淨和止觀。

  他當下向舍利弗請求回精舍自己的房間去禪修。諸天神也護持他,使精舍保持安靜。當天他就證得阿羅漢果。

  佛陀因此向比丘們說:「一個人精進修行時,天神都會來護持。我也阻止舍利弗進入殊卡的房間,使他免於受到干擾。當他看見農夫引水灌溉,弓箭師矯直弓,木匠製作車輪時,就調御自己的內心,此刻他已經是阿羅漢了。」

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯

Monday, June 11, 2012



Dhammapada verse # 143 ~ 144

以慚自禁者,世間所罕有,彼善避羞辱,如良馬避鞭。

Where in the world is found
one restrained by shame,
awakened out of sleep
as splendid horse with whip?


如良馬加鞭,當奮勉懺悔。以信戒精進,以及三摩地,
善分別正法,以及明行足,汝當念勿忘,消滅無窮苦。

As splendid horse touched with whip,
be ardent, deeply moved,
by faith and virtue, effort too,
by meditation, Dhamma’s search,
by knowledge, kindness, mindfulness;
abandon dukkha limitless!

☆☆☆

【第143 ~ 144偈的故事】

舍利弗尊者有一次遇見年輕的卑盧提卡穿著破舊的衣服向人乞討食物。舍利弗尊者出於一片慈悲心,就建議他不如出家為比丘。卑盧提卡於是把破舊的衣服和乞討的盤子放在一棵樹下,而出家為比丘了。從此以後他不用擔憂衣服和食物。但是,有的時候,他對比丘的生活不滿,而想還俗。每次這種念頭生起的時候,他就到那棵樹下,並且譴責自己:「不知羞恥的人,你難道還想穿上這件破舊的衣服,拿著這盤子,到處去乞討嗎?」如此自責之後,他的情緒就和緩下來,然後再回精舍去。

  過了兩、三天,當他又對比丘生活不滿時,他就又到那棵樹下,同樣又譴責自己,並且回想過去卑下的生活 之後,才再度回精舍。這樣的情形發生好幾次,每次其他的比丘問他去那裏,他都回答說,他去找他的老師 (註)。也因為集中心念,觀想以前破舊的衣服,所以他確實清楚五蘊的實相,而證得阿羅漢果。證果之後,他就不再前往那棵樹下去。其他比丘發覺他不再前去那棵樹時,就問他:「你為什麼不再去找你的老師呢?」

  他回答他們:「我以前去找老師,是因為有需要。但現在,已經不需要了。」

  這些比丘聽完他的回答後,就去請教佛陀:「世尊!卑盧提卡是否真的已經證得阿羅漢果?」

  「比丘們!卑盧提卡比丘以前雖然和他的老師有所連繫,但現在已經完全沒有任何連繫了。因為他善於自我調適,分別正確與錯誤的因,同時,明察諸法實相,他已經是阿羅漢了,所以就不再執著於過去的老師了。」佛陀如是向他們解釋。

備註:
此處的老師指的是卑盧提卡的舊衣服和乞討的缽,它們使他具有深刻的羞恥感,因此使他努力修行,所以可稱之為他的老師。

While residing at the Jētavana Monastery, the Buddha spoke these verses, with reference to Venerable Pilōtikatissa.

Once, Venerable ânanda saw a shabbily dressed youth going around begging for food; he felt pity for the youth and made him a sàmanēra. The young novice monk left his old clothes and his begging plate on the fork of a tree. When he became a monk he was known as Pilōtikatissa. As a monk, he did not have to worry about food and clothing as he was in affluent circumstances. Yet, sometimes he did not feel happy in his life as a monk and thought of going back to the life of a layman. Whenever he had this feeling, he would go back to that tree where he had left his old clothes and his plate. There, at the foot of the tree, he would put this question to himself, “Oh shameless one! Do you want to leave the place where you are fed well and dressed well? Do you still want to put on these shabby clothes and go begging again with this old plate in your hand?” Thus, he would rebuke himself, and after calming down, he would go back to the monastery.

After two or three days, again, he felt like leaving the monastic life of a monk, and again, he went to the tree where he kept his old clothes and his plate. After asking himself the same old question and having been reminded of the wretchedness of his old life, he returned to the monastery. This was repeated many times. When other monks asked him why he often went to the tree where he kept his old clothes and his plate, he told them that he went to see his teacher. Thus keeping his mind on his old clothes as the subject of meditation, he came to realize the true nature of the aggregates of the khandhas, such as anicca, dukkha, anatta, and eventually he became an arahat. Then, he stopped going to the tree. Other monks, noticing that Pilōtikatissa had stopped going to the tree where he kept his old clothes and his plate, asked him, “Why don’t you go to your teacher any more?” To them, he answered, ‘When I had the need, I had to go to him; but there is no need for me to go to him now.” When the monks heard his reply, they took him to see the Buddha. When they came to his presence they said, “Venerable! This monk claims that he has attained arahatship; he must be telling lies.” But the Buddha refuted them, and said, “Monks! Pilōtikatissa is not telling lies, he speaks the truth. Though he had relationship with his teacher previously, now he has no relationship whatsoever with his teacher. Venerable Pilōtikatissa has instructed himself to differentiate right and wrong causes and to discern the true nature of things. He has now become an arahat, and so there is no further connection between him and his teacher.”

☆☆☆

English source: "Treasury of Truth: Illustrated Dhammapada" by Ven. Weragoda Sarada Maha Thero
中文法句出處:《南傳法句經》 了參法師譯
中文故事出處:《法句經故事集》 達摩難陀長老著 周金言譯