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.