必須瞭解苦的真諦以及不滿足的實相——我們不能當做沒這回事

　　有人抱怨佛教是一極端沈鬱的宗教，因為佛教強調痛苦與悲慘；而通常宗教界愛讚美、歌唱、迷醉與極樂。不過尊照佛陀教示，People complain that Buddhism is an extremely gloomy religion because

it emphasizes suffering and misery. Usually religions speak of

beauty, song, ecstasy, bliss. But according to Buddha,我們必須先看清實際的人生經驗，必須瞭解苦的真諦以及不滿足的實相——我們不能當做沒這回事，而只顧研究人生榮耀與快樂的部分。we must begin by

seeing the experience of life as it is. We must see the truth of suffering,

the reality of dissatisfaction. We cannot ignore it and attempt to examine

only the glorious, pleasurable aspects of life.如果我們只想找樂土、尋金銀島，這種追尋只會帶來更多的痛苦，我們也不可能以此種方式到達樂土、成就正覺。If one searches for a promised

land, a Treasure Island, then the search only leads to more pain.

We cannot reach such islands, we cannot attain enlightenment in such a

manner.因此，佛教各宗派皆同意我們必須以面對生活真實情況為開端，不能先開始作夢。So all sects and schools of Buddhism agree that we must begin

by facing the reality of our living situations. We cannot begin by dreaming.

作夢只是暫時的逃避，不可能帶給我們真正的解脫。That would be only a temporary escape; real escape is impossible.

必須先從自己的恐懼、挫折、失望與苦惱——人生的痛苦面——下手

　　若要將佛法根植在美國國土上，首先必須瞭解佛教的基本教義並學習基本的禪修方法。I

F W E ARE TO plant the complete Buddhist teachings in American soil

we must first understand the fundamental principles of Buddhism

and work through its basic meditation practices.許多人將佛教當成可以拯救他們的一種新教派，可使他們處理世間事猶如在花園中摘花。Many people respond

to Buddhism as i f it were a new cult which might save them, which

might enable them to deal with the world in the manner of picking

flowers in a beautiful garden.但是我們若想從樹上摘花，必得先培育樹根與枝幹，也是就是說，必須先從自己的恐懼、挫折、失望與苦惱——人生的痛苦面——下手。But if we wish to pick flowers from a tree,

we must first cultivate the roots and trunk, which means that we must

work with our fears, frustrations, disappointments, and irritations, the

painful aspects of life.