阿姨

An Auntie

为了放生，今天去了炉霍。本打算利用放生之余，抽空耍耍坝子，可惜天公不作美，一直淅淅沥沥地下着雨，看来我们的帐篷、饮料、食品算是白带了。

We went to Luhuo today to release live beings and were hoping to take some time to hold a little fair. But our plans were thwarted by the weather; the rain fell continuously. It seemed we had wasted effort in bringing tents, drinks, and food with us.

听说一位我小时候对我很好的阿姨病了，我连忙去看看她。

One of my aunts who had been very kind to me when I was little is ill. Upon hearing the news, I hastened to pay her a visit.

她住在一间简陋得难以想象的屋子里，屋里除了一床肮脏破旧的被子、一把黑糊糊的茶壶，几乎找不到一件像样的家什。

She is living in an unthinkably shabby place; other than a dirty blanket on the bed and a blackened teapot, there is hardly any other furniture in the room.

记得在我上小学的时候，她家显得比较殷实。常常在课间，我会偷跑到离学校不远的她家，因为在那里我总是能找到糌粑、酥油之类的食物，以填充我那仿佛永远也填不满的胃。她总是那么大方地拿出最好的东西，从无悭吝之心。

I recall her house was not too far from the elementary school I attended. At that time her family was relatively well off and I would often sneak out in between classes to her house. There I could always find the best food, like tsampa and butter, to fill my ever-hungry stomach, and she had always been generous to offer me her best, never acting stingy.

如今，91岁的她虽然住在简陋的破屋里，由五十多岁的儿子照料，但心情仍是那么开朗，滔滔不绝地向我讲述她从各处听来的逸闻趣事，逗得我们开怀大笑。最后，她说：“不知我前世造了什么恶业，得了这样的病，看来只有好好祈祷三宝，才能减轻我的罪业。”

Now at 91, she has as her caretaker her son, who is in his 50s. Although her dwelling is dilapidated and miserable, she still maintains a cheerful disposition. She spouted funny tales she had heard from different sources and we could not stop laughing. Lastly, she said: “I must have committed some evil deeds in my past lives that I suffer this illness now. I can only pray to the Three Jewels faithfully to lighten my karmic retributions.”

一听她的话，我就知道她之所以心情开朗的原因，由于诚信因果，在遭遇病痛艰难时，就不会怨天尤人，只会一心一意祈祷三宝，忏悔业障，才会感得如此心境。

Hearing her remarks, I saw clearly the reason for her cheerful mindset. Her belief in the effects of positive and negative actions is firm enough that even when stricken with severe illness she bears no grudges toward fate nor toward others. Instead she prays to the Three Jewels wholeheartedly and performs the purification practice sincerely. No wonder she is able to remain composed.

如果每个人都能诚信因果，那么，即使他身处困境，都能保持愉悦的心情。

Indeed, anyone who has confidence in the principle of cause and effect will always maintain a sunny outlook, even amidst the most difficult circumstances.

壬午年六月初八　　
2002年7月17日

8th of June, Year of RenWu
July 17, 2002