視同身後 林鈺堂

只看生前老纏繞,身後回顧頗簡單;
無有結果早了斷,真能利眾做幾樁。

世間一般只顧生前,因此纏繞不休,而又多秏費於無長遠利益之事上。若能借鏡已故者之事蹟,由彼身後回顧,則可提醒尚存活之吾人,莫再樂著於芝麻點滴,而當努力從事一些真正有意義的事。若能如此著眼,方有可能出離世間應酬,而甘於孤單、長遠之服務事業。


                     二○○二年十一月十六日
                     養和齋     於加州


Reflecting after Death Yutang Lin

Looking only at life, one keeps winding;
Reflecting after death, things are simple.
Matters inconsequential, end them early;
Deeds of universal merit, work on some.

Comment:

Worldlings usually care only about life, and consequently they are preoccupied with incessant entanglements. Alas, most of their efforts are wasted on matters lacking long-lasting benefits. If one could reflect through the mirror of others' lives, and look back from after their death, then their life-stories would remind the living that one should not be preoccupied with matters inconsequential but, instead, had better engage in activities that are of real significance and contribution. If one could see things from such a point of view, only then could one renounce worldly social activities to engage in some long-term service and be content with its inherent loneliness.


Written in Chinese on November 20, 2002
Translated on November 25, 2002
El Cerrito, California


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