什么是生命的本质？它对生命的作用是什么？【中英对照】

　　生命之光，是让人充分认识每一时、每一事都是生命的本质光辉照耀下的作用。

　　The Light of Life helps people fully realize that every moment and every activity is the manifestation of the light of the essential nature of life.

　　什么是生命的本质？它对生命的作用是什么呢？

　　What is the essential nature of life? What effect does it have on our lives?

　　我们可以举个例子来了解这个本质。冰、雾、小溪，它们的本质是一如的——都是水，是因为通过不同温度的差异变成了不同的状态。不同的状态会产生不同的作用力或者说不同的用途：冰有冰的用途，雾有雾的用途。

　　Here is an example that helps us understand this essentialnature. Ice, mist and water in a stream are different states of water under different temperatures. These states are different manifests of water and possess the same essential nature of water. Yet each produces different forces, has different applications, and serves its own purposes.

　　那我们的生命也有种种不同的现象与状态，不同的状态也会产生不同的作用力与用途，但都像水一样有其共性与本质所在。

　　As we live our lives, we enter different states and conditions （different manifests of life）， each with their unique force and purpose. Yet all states of life retain the same essential nature, just as water retains its essential nature across different states.

　　我们要了解我们自身的状态给自己与他人会带来什么样的作用力，这是十分重要的。通过一个结果去追溯它的来源，审观自己的言说、作为，对自己内心的需要做出相应的选择。

　　What is the impact of our own states onto others and our own being? This is an important question to ponder. By tracing a consequence back to its origins and by introspecting on our words and actions, we can make choices based on our inner needs.

　　我们先从一个国际社会现象的两方面去分析与观察。比如战争，不管是宗教之间、阶级之间、种族之间、穷富之间、优秀与卑微之间等等所有的战争，其焦点就是争议、排斥、不包容，相互之间就会伤害、敌视与毁坏；反之，相互之间的协商、包容、理解与支持，就会带来安稳与平和。

　　Let us first observe and analyze both sides of an international affair, such as a war. Whether it’s between religions, social classes, races, the rich and the poor, or the privileged and the deprived, a war is always centered around disputes, denial, and intolerance, which in turn lead to harm, hostility and destruction on both sides. In a different scenario, negotiation, tolerance, understanding and support between conflicting parties will lead tostability and peace.

　　社会现象中许多尖锐的问题如果有了智慧的观察，就可以温性地去解决它。对立两方之间的隔阂，在相互包容、许可的情况下不断地给予支持、教育与调整，尖锐的问题就会得到解决，把暴力、仇恨、伤害变成理解、包容与支持。像美国黑人做总统就是一个很好的例子。过去，种族、肤色之间的隔阂是十分突出的，通过教育、尊重、理解，让人慢慢地接受了下来，实际就是一个相互包容、理解的过程。

　　Many tough issues in today’s society can be resolved peacefully if people observe them wisely. Providing persistent support, education and adjustment based on mutual tolerance and acceptance can bridge wide rifts between conflicting parties, turning violence, hatred and harm into understanding, acceptance and support.The fact that the US had its first black president shows that even with a long history of segregation, the American people have learned to accept one anotherby means of educating, respecting and understanding each other. This is a process of mutual tolerance and understanding.

　　我们作为一个普通人，可以通过这些社会现象的观察与了解，或者通过自身作为的结果对自己、对他人带来什么，反观自己内心真正的需要去选择、去调整，人就会体会到生命的自由与光辉。

　　We as ordinary people can observe and learn social phenomena and the consequences of our actions on others and ourselves. By doing so, wecantrace back to our inner needs and make choices and adjust based on what we truly desire. Then the freedom and light of life is unleashed.

　　有许可、有包容的生命价值是最光辉的，因为它融汇了、支持了所有的生命。我们做生命排斥的、轻视的、敌对的事情，我们的生命会得到不自由，会造成所有生命对自身的屏蔽与障碍，反作用力就会回馈与自身。

　　The light of a life that permits and encompasses others is the greatest, because it unites and supports all states of life. When we discriminate, reject and create confrontation with others, we will be shackled by our own actions, driving all states of life to undercut and block us. In the end, harm always reciprocates.

　　生命的种种现象状态，就像冰、雾、小溪，不同的状态展示着不同的作用力， 其本质是水，那平等性就是它的本质。我们透过这些现象与问题，了解它的本质，了解它的共性，认清了本质就不会在有差异的状态上去相互地仇恨、嫉妒、排斥，而是相互地尊重、包容与理解。

　　The various phenomena and states of lifeare comparable to ice, mist and stream. Although these different phenomena display different forces, their essential nature remains the same, i.e.， water. The nature refers to the equality of varied forms. If we see through the façade of phenomena and problems to fully understandtheir nature or commonality, we will then not attach to different phenomena, thus no longer to resort to hate, jealousy or rejection and instead respect, tolerate and understand.

　　我们依止着这个本质来解决我们生活中所遇到的问题，人内心都需要的善良、慈悲、智慧、方便就会凸显出来，愚昧、痛苦、伤害等等这些人类不需要的困惑也能真正走出来，使我们在人类需要的心理特质上逐渐成熟起来，展示出来，让生命的本质光辉照耀着我们的每一个作为。

　　If werely on this essential nature to guide us through the challengesof our lives, thekindness, compassion, wisdom and skillful means that is direly needed will shine through, guiding us through the labyrinth woven of confusion, i.e. ignorance, suffering and harm that we human beings don’t need. Gradually, the positive mental qualities that all human beings need will mature and manifest. Let the light of the essential nature of life shine upon our every conduct. 

　　原标题：启用生命的本质光辉 【 中英对照 】

　　文章转自微信公众号：菩提眼