不知

Knowing Not

讨厌的背又开始痛了。

Oh no, the bothersome backache is here again.

任你春气乍寒乍暖，春云或卷或舒，病痛总是不讲情面的。使人无心窗外的美好春色。

Sickness is anything but merciful. Regardless of the weather—warm or chilly, cloudy or cloudless—it pounces on me and renders me in no mood to enjoy the spring splendor beyond the window.

人在生病之时最容易意念死亡。

One becomes most susceptible to the thought of death in illness.

也许今天就会死去吧！不知《释尊传》是否能翻译完？也不知《大圆满心性休息大车疏》能否善始善终？因为没有时时忆念死亡，空耗无数光阴。如今老之将至，难免有日薄西山之感。在所剩不多的时日里，更应精勤住持正念，不为外尘所转。

Perhaps I’ll die today! Who knows if I’ll be able to finish the translation of Great Biography of Buddha Shakyamuni? Will A Treatise on Finding Comfort and Ease in the Nature of Mind end as well as it began? As I have not been mindful about death, I have wasted a huge portion of my life. Now that old age is creeping in, I can’t help feeling my days are numbered, just like the sun setting beyond the western hills. In the little time left, I should always maintain the right view, be diligent and unfettered by worldly affairs.

且记一首南宋宏智正觉之语以自勉：

To encourage myself, I am citing here the verse on realization by Hong Zhi of the Southern Song Dynasty:

“法喜为食，慈悲为舍，
信佛是归，视身如借。
住正念以唯勤，趣外尘而无暇。”

Dharma bliss is my sustenance, compassion is my dwelling,
Faith in the Buddha is my final settling place; this body of mine is merely on loan.
Being mindful is my sole endeavor; I have no time to spare on earthly affairs.

将法喜作为食物，将慈悲作为房舍，将信佛作为归宿，将身体视为借物，精勤地住持正念，无有闲暇趋逐尘世。勿涉足名利，勿贪恋外境，时刻视生命如风中之烛。

Take Dharma bliss as sustenance; regard love and compassion as dwelling places. Take faith in Buddhism as the final destiny; understand that the body is on loan. Always diligently maintain the right view; spare no time in chasing the mundane affairs. Keep off fame and wealth; crave not external attractions. Always see life as a candle flickering in the wind.

能否做到？

Can I accomplish all of this?

难也！

It is tough!

壬午年正月二十日 　
2002年3月3日　

20th of January, Year of RenWu
March 3, 200