Seven Days to Enlightenment

　　七天开悟

Achaan Chah described how the Buddha had encouraged his monks by stating that those who practiced diligently would surely be enlightened in seven days or, if not in seven days, then in seven months or seven years. A young American monk heard this and asked if it was still true. Achaan Chah promised that if the young monk was continuously mindful without break for only seven days, he would be enlightened.

　　阿姜 查在描述佛陀是如何藉由说，只要精进修行，就必能在七天内开悟，如果七天内没开悟，亦将在七个月或七年内达到目的，来鼓励比丘精进时，一位年轻的美国比丘听了就问他，这是不是真的？阿姜 查保证：这位年轻的比丘只要不断地维持正念，七天丝毫不中断，他就必能开悟。

Excitedly the young monk started his seven days, only to be lost in forgetfulness ten minutes later. Coming back to himself, he again started his seven days, only to become lost once more in mindless thought-perhaps about what he would do after his enlightenment. Again and again he began his seven days, and again and again he lost his continuity of mindfulness. A week later, he was not enlightened but had become very much aware of his habitual fantasies and wandering of mind-a most instructive way to begin his practice on the Path to real awakening.

　　这个比丘兴奋地开始了他的七天，但仅十分钟就忘失了。恢复清醒後，他再开始他的七天，却再次忘失於妄念中。他一次又一次地重新开始，也一次又一次地失去正念的相续。一个星期後，他并没有开悟，但却对习惯性的幻想和散乱的心更加警觉──开启通向真正觉醒之道的最得益法门。

Results should not be expected too quickly. One with faith and confidence will have determination to persevere, as a market woman who wants to sell goods keeps on hawking, "Who wants soap? Who wants baskets? I've got pencils to sell"
 
　　不应该太快预期结果，一个具备信心和自信的人，就会决定坚持下去；就像一个想要出售货物的市场妇人一般，会不断叫卖：“谁要买肥皂?谁要买篮子?我还有卖铅笔哟!”