Editor’s Foreword

编者序言

A number of lectures by the late Venerable Mahāsī Sayādaw have been translated into English for the benefit of a wider audience. This book was reprinted in Malaysia, but this new edition has been completely revised for distribution in the UK. This second edition was reformatted and revised again in December 2006.

为了利益广大读者，当代马哈希尊者的很多开示已经翻译成了英文。本书曾在马来西亚再版，但是在英国出版的新版已经完全经过修订。这个第二版于2006年12月经过了重新的编排和再次的修订。

The Venerable Sayādaw’s discourses were addressed to meditators practising intensively at Mahāsī Sāsana Yeikthā, in Rangoon. They therefore contain many Pāli words which, though familiar to those who have heard regular discourses, may not be so familiar to others. I have prepared this edition of the Mālukyaputta Sutta bearing in mind that it will be read by many who may be unfamiliar with Pāli terms. However, because parts of this discourse deal with the extremely subtle thought process (citta vīthi), some Pāli technical terms used to explain the higher Buddhist philosophy (Abhidhamma) have been retained. The Pāli stanzas have also been retained for the enjoyment of those who do know some Pāli.

马哈希尊者的论述是开示给在仰光Mahāsī Sāsana Yeikthā的密集禅修者听的，因此含有很多巴利词语。虽然它们对于那些听过正规开示的人来说是熟悉的，但对其他人而言却未必。我准备的《摩罗迦子经讲记》的这个版本，就是为了让那些或许不熟悉巴利术语的人也能理解。不过，因为讲记中的部分内容涉及相当精细的心路过程(citta vīthi)，所以解释胜义法(注，即究竟法)理论(Abhidhamma，阿毗达摩)的某些巴利术语保留了下来。巴利经句也保留了下来，供那些确实认识若干巴利文的人士品味。

Because this Mālukyaputta Sutta deals with the extremely rapid mental events occurring when seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, and thinking, it is possible that non-meditators may not understand it. The best solution for those inexperienced in meditation would be to take up the practice of systematically noting all mental events at the six sense doors. If they practise meditation seriously for several days without a break, they will soon experience at least the momentary bliss of tadanga-nibbāna, as mentioned by the Venerable Sayādaw in this most excellent discourse. If they are very diligent, they might attain some insight knowledge, which would significantly improve the quality of their life, and ensure happiness in the future.

因为这部摩罗迦子经涉及在见闻嗅尝触知时发生的非常快速的精神活动，非禅修者可能无法理解这些内容。对于这些没有禅修经验的人，最好的解决方法是开始进行系统的练习，注意发生在六门的所有精神活动。如果他们认真地练习禅修几天，没有中断，他们将很快体验到至少是一向涅槃(tadanga-nibbāna)的刹那安乐，就像马哈希尊者在这本卓绝的讲记中提到的那样。如果他们非常用功，他们或许会证到相当的观智，这会显著地改善他们生活的质量，和保证将来的幸福。

Bhikkhu Pesala
December 2006