Giita

《南傳法句經》第 36 偈

故事為鄙人摘譯自 K. Sri Dhammananda 長老主編的英文版 The Dhammapada，添枝減葉若干。

　　《法句經》第 36 偈的故事提醒我們，皓首窮經不是人人可行，但只要能夠護御自心，一樣可圓滿修行。話說舍衛城有位銀行家的兒子，年輕進取，特地請教一位常到他家乞食的比丘，怎樣才能解脫生命中的苦惱。比丘自然不吝賜教，要他把錢財分成三部份：一部份投資做生意，一部份充作家用，一部份拿來做慈善。他遵囑照辦，之後，又問接下來該如何做。比丘進一步指點，首先，皈依三寶、守五戒；其次，恪守十戒；最後，出家入僧團。青年一一奉行，剃度為比丘。

　　成為比丘後，一位教師教他阿毗達摩，另一位則教他戒律。如此的學習方式讓他不禁感慨，吾生也有涯，而知也無涯，要學的東西太多了！加上戒律太嚴太多，比丘的生活實在沒有足夠的自由。思前想後，他覺得不如還俗來得好。由於懷疑與不滿，他變得鬱鬱寡歡，怠忽職責，同時日漸消瘦，終致形銷骨立。佛陀知道這個情形後，告誡他：「只要你能夠控制心念，就別無他事需要控制。所以，好好守護自心吧！」

［巴利原文與英譯主要取自 Nārada 長老編譯的 The Dhammapada］

036 Guard Your Thoughts

Sududdasaṃ sunipuṇaṃ

Yattha kāmanipātinaṃ

Cittaṃ rakkhetha medhāvī

Cittaṃ guttaṃ sukhāvahaṃ

The mind is very difficult to perceive; very delicate and subtle; it moves and lands wherever it pleases. The wise one should guard his mind, for a guarded mind brings happiness.

［中譯取自法增比丘的《南傳法句經新譯》］

心溜蕩善變，細微難察覺。

智者護其心，護衛得安樂。

NOTES

註釋主要依據: A Dictionary of the Pali Language, by R. C. Childers;

Pali-English Dictionary, by T. W. Rhys Davids and W. Stede

Sududdasa: (adj) very difficult to see, invisible     (n) the Invisible, an epithet of Nirvāṇa or Void

Nipuṇa: (adj) clever, skilled, sharp, intelligent, delicate, subtle, abstruse

Sunipuṇa: (adj) very subtle

Yattha, yatra: (adv) where, in which place, whither, whereon

Kāma: (m) desire, desired object; sensual pleasures, passion, lust

Nipātī, nipātin: (adj) falling or flying down, wandering; chancing upon

Citta: (n) the mind, the heart; thought, idea; will, intention

Rakkhati: to protect, shelter, save, preserve; to observe, guard, take care of, control     (“middle” or “reflexive” conjugation) opt. 3^rd sing.  rakkhetha

Medhāvī: (adj) intelligent, wise     (m) a wise man

Gutta: (pp. gopati) preserved, protected, guarded, hidden

Gopati, gopayati, gopeti, gopāyati: to guard, keep, protect     pp. gutta, gopita, gopāyita

Sukha: (n) happiness; welfare; ease, comfort     (adj) blest; happy, pleasant, delightful; easy

Āvaha: (adj) bringing, causing

Sukhāvaha: (adj) bringing happiness