What is a settled mind all about?
All of us are faced with different conditions that lead us to the path of Buddhism. Some people, for whom acceptance comes more easily than for others, are resolutely persistent in learning Buddhism from their very first dharma talk by the Master. Others find the situations mentioned in the radio programs to be similar to what they have experienced in life, so they adopt the method taught by the Master. Having put it into practice and seen the desired result, they are first convinced and then steadfast in their faith. Regardless of what the conditions are, once the faith is established, their minds are calm and settled.
心定是怎么回事？
大家信佛都有不同的机缘，有的人很容易，第一次听师父的法会就坚定地学下去了，有的人听节目录音中感到和自己的情况类似就按着师父教的方法去做了，见到了效果，知道所言不虚才信了。不管机缘如何，信了心就定了下来。
However, such a settled state of mind is only temporary. Once they recover from an illness, or when – let’s say – their child who once suffered from a speech disorder has finally begun to speak, they come to realise the greatness of Buddhism. However, they may begin to make excuses about being too busy to recite Buddhist scriptures. Some people start off with enormous enthusiasm only to lose steam over time. Then there are those who only follow what is taught without making any effort to study or seek understanding. These cases cannot be regarded as examples of having attained a settled state of mind.
这种定是暂时的定，身上的病好了，孩子可以开口说话了，知道佛法的伟大了，可是我很忙，忙得没时间念经，或者先是劲头十足，然后渐渐疲怠，或者只是怎么教怎么做，不去学习，不去领悟，这些都不是定。
When they encounter other problems in life, such as losing their job or tackling a relationship problem, they will continue to go around in circles without a single clue about how to deal with it. They may even start to question: “I have done what was suggested by Master Lu for a whole month, how come I still can’t get a job?”; or “Why haven’t I met the love of my life after following Master Lu’s teachings for half a year?” In other words, doubt begins to set in.
下次遇到别的问题，如工作丢了，爱情出问题了，还是在原地打转，不知如何应付；或者我已按师父上次教的方法做了，但我一个月内仍找不到新的工作；为什么我的爱情用了师父的方法半年还没来……疑惑随之而来。
When there is karmic obstacle, there will be worries – and the “self” will be dragged along for the ride. The settled state of the mind will then be lost.
有孽障才有牵挂，有了牵挂，“我”就随着牵挂去了，心也就不定了。
Therefore, practising Mahayana Buddhism (the method of helping sentient beings become spiritually awakened) must be based upon Theravada Buddhism. In that way, we must focus on improving ourselves and our families first of all. Only when our minds are free of obstructions do we have no fear. Then we can talk about how to cultivate our minds and help others to become spiritually awakened, too.
所以修大乘佛法（救助众生的法）要有小乘佛法做基础，先要把自己修好，自己的家修好，只有“心无罣碍”才能“无有恐怖”，再谈修心救度他人。
A settled state of mind can be defined in two ways. Firstly, to be steadfast in faith, and secondly, to be unwavering in achieving one’s goal. The foundation is built upon rationality. This includes: Understanding the difference between worldly dharma and transcendental dharma; the law of cause and effect; the reasons behind the ups and downs of one’s destiny and the relationships among positive and negative affinities; the power of karma, and; the web of the mundane world. With this understanding, we will be able to settle our minds. At the same time, we must also understand that the compassion of the Bodhisattva and the greatness of the Bodhisattva are truly genuine. While the Bodhisattva will rescue those in suffering upon hearing their cries, we first must perform daily recitation and do our bit.
“心定”有两方面的涵义：一是坚定的信念，二是坚定的目标；其基础建立在明理上，明白世间法和出世间法的区别，明白因果，明白灵性世界的真实，明白命运的高低起伏是为什么，还要明白善缘恶缘业力尘网的关系，这样才能定下心来修行；同时还要明白菩萨的慈悲，菩萨的伟大和真实不虚，菩萨闻声救苦的同时，我们要先做好自己的功课等。
In doing so, we will be firmly convinced that the difficulties we face today are not without reason, and that they are merely temporary. Consequently, we can achieve a state of mind that remains unmoved by changing external circumstances. It’s a state in which the external circumstances change but the mind remains unswayed; a state of single-mindedness.
这样才能坚信目前的困难是有原因的，困难也是暂时的，从而达到心不随境转，境转心不转，一心觉悟的境界。
This is, of course, a relatively high level of spirituality that may be difficult for everyone to achieve. But at least we know the right direction to head in, and that we can begin to strive towards this goal. As for the final result, we first have to sit the exam and wait for the results.
当然这是比较高的境界，我们不一定人人都能做到，但至少知道了方向，我们就可以朝着这个方向努力，至于最终成绩如何，还要等参加了考试，待结果出来的时候才知道。
A restless mind is drifting, whereas a pure mind is settled. With a settled mind, the Way will emerge.
心浮则飘，心净则定，心定则生道。
Generally speaking, Buddha-dharma is in our daily lives, and our daily lives also reflect Buddha-dharma. Apply the Buddha-dharma in your daily lives, and investigate and contemplate the Buddha-dharma from your life experiences. Remain steadfast. Eventually, everything will begin to change for the better.
总的来说，佛法人生，人生佛法，把佛法应用到人生，自人生中参悟佛法，坚韧不拔，自会渐入佳境。
发表于 2021-12-19 11:57:08
