喝茶聊天

曾经

跟朋友出去喝茶聊天，             

是周末下午必要的节目。

就这样不知过了多少花开花落，

喝了多少奶茶，

吃了多少roti kahwin，

吸了多少街边灰尘，

聊了多少是非闲话，

浪费了多少青春岁月。

曾经

跟朋友去夜店跳舞喝酒唱K，

是周末晚上必要的节目。

就这样不知过了多少风花雪月，

喝了多少啤酒，

吃了多少pop corn，

吸了多少二手烟，

胡扯了多少废话，

消耗了多少青春岁月。

曾经

自以为是的觉得，

飞来飞去，忙忙碌碌 造就丰富人生，

吃喝玩乐，风流快活  就是享受人生。

不知何时开始

生活渐渐变得简单，

疏远了酒肉朋友，

远了离喧哗热闹的人群，

待在自己简单的空间，

享受自己与自己

亲密相处的世界。

才发现，

原来自己长久以来

忽略了自己，

疏忽了自己，

总是应酬朋友，

怎么就没留给自己时间

好好跟自己聊聊…

而那些跟朋友聊过的话，

也只是过眼云烟…

马夫，旅人

大清晨出门，
几十里路受着冷风，
赶着马车到车站。
冷风中耐心等待，
长途巴士的到来。

旅人姗姗下车，
马夫涌上前问去向，
一番讨价还价，
费劲口舌说服旅人上车。

马车摇摇晃晃，
再次迎着冷风，
又是几十里路，
载着旅人摸黑的上路。

朝朝暮暮载送五花八门
来自世界各地的旅人，
陪伴观光那个纯朴简陋
自己一辈子都想过没离开的个小镇。

马夫，旅人一路肩碰肩，
心与心却是天涯距离。

the natural minimalists

By the unknown street of Yangoon,

Where vendors set their humble stalls,

An Indian man set on a stool next to a noodle stall,

There he was having his plate of plain rice,

With only a pinch of fried noodles as appetizer,

He swallowed his lunch, quietly.

It was like backed to the past, over 30 years in reverse.

A land with tiny buildings sparsely scattered,

Greeneries dominant its landscape,

Occasionally dusty roads cutting across out of nowhere,

Vast blue sky overwhelms the noon horizon.

The streets are the domain displaying vehicles transcend times, all at once,

From man-pull carts, horse carts, ox carts, bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles, vans, buses, sedan cars, pickup trucks, seven sitters, four-wheel drive to luxury tourist couches. 

Not forgetting the street vendors, pedestrians and bystanders.

All are there making the street a stage showcasing the most ordinary yet lively dramas.

Tiny shop houses lining the dusty streets,

Yet the open floors are always clean and free of dust,

For the workers are always sweeping floors,

Disregards of the presence of their customers,

They sweep the floor every now and then.

I peeped into the dwelling chambers,

I saw just basic furniture, 

There were neither decorations nor accessories,

Simple fenestration openings without curtain and security grills,

Floors were clean and free of frail.

On the street I looked at the plates of rice held in the hands,

Where labors and workers were having lunch on little stools,

Big piles of plain rice with petty appetizer, they chewed and swallowed,

There was no expression on their faces, to tell how it tasted,

But a wring crushed my heart, telling me how it tasted.

窗外

窗外天色慢慢退黯，
远处渐渐亮起稀散的灯火，
周围一切好沉静，
空气像是凝结了，
摸糊了生命的气息。

秋夜慢慢深延，
窗外微微听见细雨飘落，
瓦片宽怀的迎接着，
那突然来袭的阵雨，
然而又冲冲地把它送去。

挥别屋檐的秋雨，
在窗前画下细丝丝的雨线，
随意交替的雨丝，
轻轻敲打在地面，
像在回响着生命的气息。

窗里是难得的安静。
难得舒畅的空间，
只有自己和自己相处时，
才有那种亲密的接触，
让自己深入自己。

弃儿的故事 The Abandoned Child

从前有户人家，十分贫穷，生了个小男孩，实在养不起，只好用破布包着，趁夜深人静的时候，把孩子扔在街上，还把家中仅有的一点钱，放在孩子身边，希望能碰上个好心人，把孩子捡去抚养。那一天，正好是个节日，全国老百姓，无论男女老少、高贵低贱，都张灯结彩、游戏庆祝。

Once upon a time, there was a very poor couple who had just given birth to a baby boy.  However on that very night, due to severe poverty, they abandoned the newly born baby on the street after wrapping him with a piece of tattered rag, and attached with the little money they could found in the house, hoping that a kind people would adopt the baby.  It was also a nationwide festive day that the whole nation was vibrantly decorated and people from all walks of life are celebrating with many joyful activities.

一个外地来的婆罗门，看到这种节日的盛况，就赞叹说：“真是一个吉祥的日子啊！凡是在今天出生的孩子，无论是男是女，将来一定会成为一个很高贵、很有出息的人。”

A visiting Brahman from faraway place, who was deeply impressed upon seeing such grand celebration, praised in awe: “what an auspicious day, those born today, be it boy or girl, shall be a noble and a promising one.”

城里有位财主，是个吠舍，家里积蓄了很多财富，但一直没有孩子，早就想领养一个了。那天，他也出外游玩，听到婆罗门这么祝祷，心里十分高兴，连忙派仆人四处询问，有没有人在当天生了孩子，又丢弃不要的？

There was a wealthy landlord, a Vaishya who had plenty of properties, except for an heir.  Since long ago he had wanted to adopt a child.  On that very same day, he was in town having leisure time on the street; he overheard the benediction of the Brahman, he was delighted and thus asked his servant to seek around for any abandoned baby born on that day.

有人告诉吠舍的仆人说：“早晨有个没孩子的寡妇，在街上捡到一个小男孩。”

Someone told the servant: “A childless widow had picked up a baby boy on the street this morning.”

仆人连忙回去禀报吠舍，吠舍就带着仆人，找到那个寡妇家。他对寡妇说：“我虽有很多财产，但没有一个儿子。你如果肯把这个孩子让给我，我可以给你一大笔钱。”

The servant swiftly returned to report to his master, whom later together with the servant, soon found the widow and told her: “although I have plenty of properties, but I have not even a son.  If you agree to give me this child, I shall give you a big sum of money.”

寡妇答应了。

The widow agreed to the request.

吠舍高高兴兴地把孩子带回去，当作自己的亲生孩子，精心抚育。

The Vaishya happily brought home with him the baby boy, caring and tendering the boy as if he was his own bloodline.

谁知过没几个月，吠舍的妻子竟然怀孕了。

However, a few months later, the wife of the Vaishya had unexpectedly pregnant with their own bloodline.

吠舍真是喜出望外，但心想：“我是因为自己没有孩子，才抱养了这个穷小子，既然现在老天爷已赐给我一个后代，还养着这个穷小子干什么？”便用衣被把这孩子裹一裹，趁半夜把他扔到干涸的小河沟里。

The Vaishya was very happy for the sudden surprise, but in his mind he has a thought: “I adopted the poor boy because I had no child of my own; in view that now God has bestowed me with my own bloodline, why should I keep him here?” He waited until midnight, wrapped up the baby boy, thrown him into a dried brook nearby.

此后一连几天，为吠舍家放羊的牧人，发现母山羊一有空就往小河沟跑，觉得很奇怪，便跟踪过去看，原来母山羊正在给一个眉清目秀的小娃娃喂奶。牧人觉得奇怪极了：“这孩子，怎么会掉到河沟中来呢？”便把孩子抱回去，天天用羊奶喂养。

After which a few days that followed, the pastoral who work for the Vaidya, noticed a ewe (mother goat) frequently patronized the nearby brook whenever it was free.  He was curious and thus tracked after the mother goat to find out; he discovered that the mother goat was breastfeeding a fine looking baby boy inside the brook.  He did not understand why the baby could be dropped into the brook.  He thus brought the baby back to the house and fed him with goat milk every day.

吠舍发现牧人这些日子送来的羊奶不够数，便气势汹汹地跑去指责牧人说：“你为什么偷我的羊奶？”

The Vaishya was angry to notice that the goat milk brought to him lately was insufficient.  He accused the pastoral for stealing his goat milk.

牧人忙说：“我在小河沟里捡到一个没人要的小男孩，挺可怜的！又没什么东西可喂养，所以每天喂他一些羊奶，还望主人恕罪。”

The pastoral quickly explained: “I picked up an abandoned baby boy from the brook, such a poor baby! There is not much to feed him, so I feed him with some goat milk every day; I beg your pardon, master.”

吠舍一看，正是自己扔掉的那个孩子，觉得很不好意思，也有点后悔，便把这个孩子重新收养下来。

The Vaishya was embarrassed to see that was the baby who he had thrown away.  He had slight regret and decided to adopt the baby for the second time.

又过了几个月，吠舍的妻子生下一个小男孩。

After a few months, the wife of the Vaishya gave birth to a baby boy.

吠舍又觉得这个抱养的孩子，实在是个累赘，又产生了恶念。这次，他将孩子包裹起来后，趁深夜时扔在大车道上，心想：“这次一定会让过往的大车把这孩子辗死，或让牛马把他踏死，干脆俐落多了！”

The Vaishya again thought that the adopted child was a nuisance; he again had an evil idea.  This time, he threw the wrapped up baby in the middle of night on the main road, hoping some big carts or animals like cow or horse would tumble him to death, clean and tidy.

清晨，有几百个商人赶着几百辆牛车，从这条大车道走过，领头的牛发现路上有个婴儿，便停住脚步，无论商人怎么用鞭子抽打，也不肯前进。

Early in the morning, hundreds of merchants ushering their oxcarts passed through the main road.  The leading cow saw the baby on the road; it stopped and refused to move on regardless how hard the merchant whipped it.

商人们觉得很奇怪，下车一看，才发现这个孩子。

The wondered merchants got down on the road to examine, and discovered the abandoned baby boy.

大家看这个孩子长得相貌端正，都说：“这简直是天神的孩子啊！怎么会扔在这儿呢？”便把孩子抱上车。

Upon seeing such a fine baby boy, the merchants said in admiration: “this must be a child of God, how could he be thrown here?” They carried the baby onto the cart.

领头的牛，才又开始前进。

The leading cow then moved on.　　

走了大约三十来里路，商人们来到一间小客栈休息。

After travelled for about 30 miles, the merchants came to a little inn for some rest.

开客栈的是个孤老太婆，她听说这个小孩是商人们在路上捡来的，又看这孩子实在可爱，就哀求道：“请把这孩子送给我吧！我一个孩子也没有，他以后可以为我养老送终。”

The owner of the inn was a lonely old woman, she heard that the baby boy was picked up from the road, and was delighted to see such a cute baby.  She pleaded to them: “please give me the baby, I have no child, he could take care of me to my old age.”

商人们觉得带着这个小孩上路，也确实不方便，又见这孤老太婆挺可怜的，便把小孩送给她。

The merchants understood it was not convenient to bring along a baby on their trip, and also sympathized at the lonely old woman; they hence gave the baby to her.

过往商人在大车道上捡了个漂亮小男孩的消息，很快地传开了。

The news that the merchants had picked up a fine baby from the road was soon spread around.

吠舍听到之后，又有点后悔，心想：“这件事我是做得有点缺德，万一以后受到报应，怎么办？”他越想越后悔，便来到开客栈的老太婆那儿，把小孩赎了回去，与自己的孩子一起抚养。

The Vaishya heard about the news and was again regretted at his own wicked act; he worried that he might commit some sins and suffers the retributions.  He soon came to the little inn and redeemed the baby and brought him back home, nurtured him along with his own son.

两三年过去了，两个孩子渐渐长大。

Two or three years had passed; both the children were gradually growing up.

吠舍看这个捡来的孩子，比自己的孩子聪明能干，心中很不安，想道：“这个孩子这么聪明，我的孩子远比不上他，以后，我的孩子一定会受他欺负的。”想来想去，觉得还是趁早把这个孩子除掉的好。于是他将这孩子带进深山，捆绑起来，吊在竹林深处的竹梢上，心想：“这下他一定会饿死在这里！”就放心地下山了。

The Vaishya noticed that the adopted son was much smarter and more capable than his own heir, he again felt uneasy: “this boy is such a smart one, my son is far behind him, hence my son might be bullied by him in the future.” After some thought, he felt that it was better to get rid of the adopted one the sooner the better.  He thus brought the young boy into a dense jungle and tied him up before hung him on top of a bamboo grove.  He thought that the boy would soon starve to death.  He then left the jungle feeling relieve.

孩子被捆吊在竹梢，难受极了，大声哭号也无人搭理，又拚命挣扎，从竹梢摔到地面；附近不远有条小溪，那孩子扭动挣扎着，一不小心，滚落到小溪中，顺着小溪，半沉半浮地向下游漂去。

The boy struggled hard and cried out loudly due to the painful bind, eventually he dropped down onto the ground, which a stream was nearby, he kept struggle that he rolled into the stream.  Drifted along and flew down stream with the flow.

刚好有户人家死了人，把死人抬到山中，准备举行火葬仪式，正派人四处砍柴草，看到小溪中漂着一个小孩，急忙捞上来，幸好还活着。

Coincidently, there was a family who had just lost a member; they carried the body into the jungle for cremation, their helpers were wandering around looking for firewood.  As they saw a boy floating down the stream, they quickly pulled him up and fortunately he was still alive.

大家看这孩子相貌端庄可爱，都惊珍地说：“这莫非是从天上掉下来的孩子？”就带回家去抚养。

They were amaze to see such a decent and lovely boy, they thought he was sent down from the heaven. They thus brought the boy back to raise him at home.

这消息传到吠舍耳里，他又后悔害怕起来了，便拿出一大笔钱，哭着把孩子领回来，仍与自己的孩子一起抚养。

This news was heard by the Vaishya who again regretted and frighten.  He prepared a big sum of money and tearfully brought the boy back to his house; again he raised him along with his own son.

两个孩子越长越大，吠舍为他们请来教师，教他们读书识字，学习各种知识和技艺。
The two boys soon grew up; the Vaishya employed a teacher to teach them reading and writing, learning all sorts of knowledge and skills.

捡来的老大天性聪明，无论什么书籍，过目能诵；无论什么知识和技能，一学就会。他仁慈善良，经常帮助人们排难解纷，讲起话来头头是道，都是劝人戒恶行善的大道理。

The adopted son was blessed smart; he could read any book at first glance, he learnt fast about any knowledge and skills.  He was also kindhearted and compassionate.  He often helped people to resolve problems and arguments, he spoke eloquent and logical truths, all his reasoning were said to advise and propagate kindness.

城里的人都认为这个孩子，是个了不起的人，经常有很多人来向他学习请教。

People in the town acknowledged the adopted son as a great person; they often came to consult him and seek for his advices.

相比之下，吠舍亲生的孩子，简直只是个什么也不懂，只知顽皮瞎闹的小傻瓜。

In contrast, the actual heir was just a naughty and nonsense little fool.

吠舍看到这种情况，心中升起一股莫名的妒火，怎么也按捺不住，下定决心无论如何都要把老大除掉，以除后患。

Realizing the situation, the Vaishya was very jealous at his adopted son.  He eventually failed to overcome his jealousy that he decided by all means to get rid of him, once and for all, for good.

吠舍手下有个铁匠，住在离城七里的郊外。

The Vaishya had a blacksmith who lived 7 miles away into the suburb.

吠舍便给铁匠写了封信，他把信密封后，把老大叫过来，骗他说：“我一天一天老了，加上又有病，看来是活不了多久了，你拿着这封信到城外铁匠家去一趟，结算一下他共欠我们多少钱，这笔钱就算送给你了。”

The Vaishya wrote to his blacksmith a letter, after which he sealed it firmly.  He called upon the elder son and told him: “I am growing old day by day, beside my illness, I guess I shall not live very long, you bring this letter to the ironsmith at the outskirt, sum up how much they owe us, the money is yours.”

老大按照父亲的指示，去城外送信，刚走到城门口，正好碰上老二在与一群儿童弹胡桃玩。
The elder son acted upon the father’s instruction to deliver the letter.  As he arrived at the city gate, he coincidently met up with his brother who was playing shooting walnuts with a group of children.

老二已输得一塌糊涂，看到老大过来，高兴地叫道：“哥哥！你来得太好了，快帮我翻本。”

The younger brother badly lost to his friends.  He was delighted to see the elder brother coming; he told the elder brother to help him to recover his loss.

老大说：“不行！父亲命我到铁匠处送信算帐。”

The elder brother declined him that he had to deliver a letter to the blacksmith.

老二抢过信，叫道：“你替我弹胡桃，我替你送信。”说罢，一溜烟走了。

The younger brother seized the letter from his elder brother and told him to shot the walnuts while he would deliver the letter on his behalf.  The younger brother soon disappeared with the letter.

老二来到铁匠家，把信交给铁匠。

The younger brother arrived at the blacksmith’s house and handed over the letter.　

铁匠打开信，只见信上写着：“自从这个孩子来到我家之后，我家疾病不断、鸡犬不宁，财产不断消耗、家畜不断死亡，我请婆罗门占过卦，婆罗门说：‘这一切完全是这个孩子造成的。’ 接到我这封信，你马上将这个孩子给我扔到火里烧死。”

The blacksmith opened the sealed letter and found it was written: “ever since this boy came to our house, my family has always suffered from diseases, conflicts, continuous properties loss, poultries died. I have asked a Brahman for divination; he said it was all due to this boy.  Immediately throw him into the fire and burn him to death upon receiving my letter.”

铁匠看完信，二话不说，抓过老二就扔到炉里去了。

After reading the letter, without a word the blacksmith grabbed the boy and threw him into the furnace.

吠舍打发老大走了以后，觉得这根肉中刺从此去掉了，心里十分高兴，看看天色将晚，还不见自己的亲生儿子回来，便派仆人出去寻找。

The Vaishya was very happy after he dispatched the elder son to the blacksmith; he thought that he had finally got rid of his painful obstacle.  However when his beloved son did not return home despite the day was getting late, he sent out his servant to look for him.

仆人寻到城门口，看见老大捧着一大堆胡桃正准备回家，就问他：“你是否看见过老二？老爷正在找他呢！”

When the servant arrived at the city gate, he saw the elder son holding a huge bunch of walnuts heading home; he asked him if he had seen his brother, as the father was looking for him.

老大赶忙回家告诉父亲，说：“老二替我送信去了。”

The elder son quickly returned home and told his father that the younger brother had replaced him to deliver the letter.

吠舍一听吓呆了，拉过一匹马，拚命地往城外铁匠家跑。可是等他赶到，老二早就成灰了。

The Vaishya was stunned with the answer; he immediately hopped on a horse and rushed towards the blacksmith’s house.  However, his arrival was too late that his son had already been burned to ash.

吠舍捶胸顿足、呼天喊地地痛哭起来，但人死不能复活，哭又有什么用呢？他回到家里，一头躺在床上，病倒了。一股闷七郁结在他心中，两条腿像棉花似地，一点劲也没有，从此只好天天躺在床上，打发时光。

The Vaishya was greatly in pain that he cried out loud, but despite his howling cries, his beloved son was forever gone.  He returned home in great sorrow and lied on his bed, he had fallen sick.   With heartfelt agony, his felt that his legs were lifeless. Ever since then, he lived his remaining days on the bed.

虽然这样，吠舍仍不知悔改，反而更加痛恨老大，必欲除之而后快。他想：“没儿子就没儿子吧！断子绝孙就断子绝孙吧！我非想法子把他除掉不可！”

Despite the painful lesson, the Vaishya did not repent upon his mistake; instead he hated the elder son even more.  He was determined to eliminate him as quickly as possible.  He did not mind leaving no heir in the world, and desperately wanted to get rid of the adopted son.

吠舍在距城一千里远的地方，有座庄园。有一天，他把老大叫到面前，又交给他一封用蜡封得密实的信，说：“那个庄园的总管，把庄园搞得一塌胡涂，你马上去代我整顿整顿。”老大接过信，向父亲告别后，就带领几个仆人，连夜向庄园赶去。

The Vaishya had a manor about a thousand miles away from the town he was residing.  One day, he called upon the elder son, and handed him a letter firmly sealed with wax, and said to him: “the manager of the manor was not doing his job, he had messed up the manor, hence you would better hurry over and help me get things back to order.” The elder son took the letter and bade farewell to his father, he brought along a few servants and rushed to the manor the very night.

吠舍有个弟弟，正好住在庄园附近。

The Vaishya had a younger brother who lived adjacent to the manor.

老大路过，心想：“无论怎样，应该先拜见这位叔叔。”就带着仆人先到叔叔家。

As the elder son was passing by the uncle’s house, he thought that he should drop in for some courtesy greetings.  He hence asked his servants to drop by with him.

吠舍的弟弟一听是哥哥的孩子来了，十分高兴，连夜举办酒宴，欢迎老大，还请了不少亲戚、邻居来作陪。

The uncle was delighted to learn that his nephew was visiting.  He hosted a dinner feast to welcome the nephew, and invited many of their relatives and neighbors to come to celebrate with them.

大家看到老大模样端庄，仪表堂堂，都很钦慕；在宴会上，宾主交欢，又歌又舞，直到深夜才尽兴而散。因为太累，大家很快呼呼地进入梦乡。

The crowd was amazed to see the handsome looking elder son.  The feast was celebrated with singings and dancing that it was adjourned only late at night.  Everybody felt asleep quickly as they had had great fun the whole evening.

吠舍的弟弟，有个女儿，容貌艳丽、聪慧过人，看到堂兄来访，心里暗暗起了爱慕之情，同时，也为这个堂兄事先连个招呼也不打，突然前来，感到有点奇怪。她想：“也不知伯父让这位堂兄去办什么重大的事情？”当夜，她看大家都已酣睡，就偷偷打开老大的背囊，取出信件，打了开来，只见信上写着：“等这孩子一到，马上捆起来，绑上大石头，扔到深渊中去。”

The Vaishya’s brother had a beautiful and bright daughter, whom upon seeing her visiting cousin, grew profound admiration towards him.  Besides, she was curious at the cousin’s sudden visit and the task that her uncle assigned to his cousin.  Later in the night when everyone was asleep, she quietly opened the cousin’s knapsack and took out the latter to read, it was written: “upon this boy’s arrival, bundle him and tie to a big rock before throw him into the abyss.”

这位姑娘不禁目瞪口呆，心想：“天底下有这么狠毒的人，用这种方式来残害自己的孩子！”想到这位俊秀的堂兄，不久将丧命深渊中，不禁心惊胆颤；想来想去，终于想出一条妙计。

The girl was stunned to know her uncle was such a cruel man who wanted to sabotage his own son.  Knowing the cousin as a handsome man yet would soon lost his life in the gully, she was terrified.  After soma few thoughts she came out with a trick.

她另拿一张信纸，模仿伯父的笔迹写道：“我已年近古稀，最近疾病缠身，身体一日不如一日。我弟弟有个女儿，聪明贤慧、知书达礼，我将娶为儿媳妇。接到这封信后，请马上准备种种聘礼，务必要选最精美、最好的东西，亲自去把这门亲事订下来，并尽快举行婚礼。”

She took out a writing paper and imitated the uncle’s handwriting: “I am at my very old age; suffering illness lately, my body is worsen day by day, I have a brother who has a daughter, beautiful and bright, well learned and well mannered, I shall propose her as my daughter in law.  Upon receiving this letter, please prepare dowry at once, all shall be of the finest, the best and confirm the engagement in person, arrange for wedding as soon as possible.”

然后她把信装回原来的信封中，按原样封好，悄悄地放回去。

She then put the letter into the envelope, sealed back as it was before she placed it back.

第二天一早，老大告别叔父启程，很快地来到吠舍的庄园。

Early in the morning the following day, the elder son bade farewell to his uncle and soon arrived at the manor.

庄园总管看完主人的来信，马上按照信中的吩咐，准备了许多金银珠宝、绫罗绸缎，亲自来到姑娘家求婚。

The manager read the letter handed to him, did the arrangements as ordered, prepared plenty of precious jewelries, satins and fine silks, and personally arrived at the girl’s house to propose marriage to her parents.

姑娘的父母商量说：“婚姻乃终身大事，理应先派媒人说媒，然后算命合相，再送上聘礼，这样我们才能答应。现在哥哥不派媒人、不合命相，就送上聘礼，还要马上成亲，这不是太草率了吗？”可是转念一想：“男婚女嫁，是自古已然的事，这两个孩子，郎才女貌，也算是天造地配的一双。可能哥哥因自己年老多病，想尽快看到儿子成家吧！”这么一想，就答应了这门亲事。

The parents discussed over the sudden proposal: “Marriage is such an important even of life; they should have sent a matchmaker for the marriage proposal, there shall be a fortune-telling conjunction, and then deliver the dowry, only then we could agree the proposal.  Now that brother delivered his dowry without sending a matchmaker, and have not done the fortune-telling conjunction, yet he requested to arrange for immediate wedding, isn’t that too rash?”  Nevertheless, they soon had another thought: “Marriage is an expected affair; the couple is such a compatible one, guess they are destined for each other.  Maybe brother knows he was getting older and weaker that he wanted to see the son get married soon!” They hence agreed at the proposal.

他们把亲戚朋友都请来，即刻举办婚礼。

They invited their relatives and friends and soon held the wedding ceremony.　　

亲戚朋友们看见这对粉妆玉琢般的新人，都赞叹说：“真是好福气啊！他们的子孙后代一定会大富大贵。”

The relatives and friends were in awe to witness such a compatible newlywed couple, that they praised: “What a good fortune! Their descendants would definitely live on wealthy and prosperous.”

婚事一办完，总管马上派人向主人汇报。

After the wedding, the manager immediately sent a messenger to deliver the news to his master.

吠舍一听说“老大已与弟弟的女儿成亲”，气得死去活来，连句话也说不出来，只是连连地瞪白眼，一口气提不上来，喉咙咕噜咕噜地直响。

The Vaishya was extremely shocked to hear the news.  He turned speechless; his eyes were showing of ghastly gaze, he could barely breathe; all he could was to mumble in dismay.

来人急忙赶回庄园，禀报总管。

The messenger was frighten and quickly returned to the manor to inform the manager.

老大听说父亲病危，心急如焚，马上就要赶回去探视。

The elder son was panicked to hear the news that his father was very sick, he wanted to rush back home to pay visit the father.　

姑娘的父亲还想再留他们多住几天，然后选个黄道吉日动身，但老大寝食俱废、坐立不安，怎么也等不及了，便与妻子连夜赶回。

The father in law wanted the newlywed couple to stay on for few more days, and leaving only after they have selected an auspicious date.  However the son in law was too worried that he was restless, he could no longer wait for another day, hence he left with his wife in the very night.

回到家中，夫妻俩双双赶到病榻前探望。

Upon arrival at home, the couple quickly visited the bedridden father.　

　

姑娘向着伯父拜了又拜，哭着说：“我就是您儿子的妻子，承您亲自选我为媳，我一定不辜负您的希望，料理好家务，多生几个儿子，以光大门庭。只希望父亲大人的病早日痊愈，长命百岁，也好让我多尽点孝心！”

The girl kept bowed at her father in law, while crying out: “I am your son’s wife, as per your decision that I am your daughter in law, I shall not disappoint you, I shall take good care of house chores, bring you many heirs in order to expand the family. I hope father would get well soon, blessed with longevity that I could show more filial piety!”

吠舍的脸憋得青紫，想说些什么，但没能说出来，翻了几下白眼、瞪了几下腿，就咽了气。

The Vaishya was speechless; all he could do was to show off his ghastly gaze.  Soon after stomping his legs a few times, he breathed his last breathe.

老大见父亲死了，十分伤心，痛哭了一场，夫妻两人把丧事办得十分隆重周到。全城的人，没有一个不夸奖他们是孝子孝媳的。

The elder son was miserable to lose his father, he cried in dismay.  The couple prepared a grand funeral for the father.  Everyone in town attended the funeral; the couple was well praised for their filial piety.

据《六度集经》卷五《童子本生》改编。参见《大正藏》第三卷第２５页。

http://www.liaotuo.org/xarticle-65821-1.html

小偷与禅师 The Thief and the Zen Master

一天晚上，当禅师七里こ順正在颂着经文，一个带着利刀的小偷潜进他屋里，举刀向他威胁，“要钱还是要命”。

One evening, Zen master Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras when a thief entered his house with a sharp sword, demanding "money or life".

禅师淡定的回答，“别干扰我！要钱你自便，在抽屉里”。接着他继续颂经文。小偷为禅师出乎意料的反应感到很惊讶，但他还是继续干他的事物。正当小偷忙着拿钱时，颂经的禅师暂停了下来向他喊道，“别拿完那些钱，留一些给我明天还公税。”

Without any fear, Shichiri said, "Don't disturb me! Help yourself with the money, it's in that drawer". And he resumed his recitation. The thief was startled by this unexpected reaction, but he proceeded with his business anyway. While he was helping himself with the money, the master stopped and called, "Don't take all of it. Leave some for me to pay my taxes tomorrow".

小偷便留下了一些钱后打算离开。但是在他还没离去时，禅师突然向他喊道，“你拿了我的钱却没感谢我？！那是很无理的！”这一次，小偷真的被禅师毫无恐慌的态度吓到，他道谢后即刻逃走了。小偷过后告诉朋友们那是他这一生最为惊慌的一次。

The thief left some money behind and prepared to leave. Just before he left, the master suddenly shouted at him, "You took my money and you didn't even thank me?! That's not polite!". This time, the thief was really shocked at such fearlessness. He thanked the master and ran away. The thief later told his friends that he had never been so frightened in his life.

几天后，小偷被逮捕了，他向警方招供他过去干过的盗窃案，包括在禅师家。禅师便被叫来作证。但禅师却说，“不，这人并没有偷窃我的任何东西。是我给他钱，他还谢了我呢。” 小偷因此很是感动而决定忏悔。当小偷由监狱释放出来后，他成了禅师的学生，经过多年学习后他便悟道了。

A few days later, the thief was caught and confessed, among many others, his theft at Shichiri's house. When the master was called as a witness, he said, "No, this man did not steal anything from me. I gave him the money. He even thanked me for it." The thief was so touched that he decided to repent. Upon his release from prison, he became a disciple of the master and many years later, he attained Enlightenment.

From: Zen Flesh, Zen Bones; Paul Reps; 1961 Doubleday Anchor Books, New York

罗希妮的故事 The Story of Roshni

在释迦摩尼说法的年代，印度民族是以婆罗门教为普遍信仰，种姓制度涵盖社会群体。种姓制度也是传统印度最重要的社会制度与规范。

In the olden days in India when Buddha was giving teachings to the public, Brahmanism which upholds caste system was a general belief among the people. Traditional Indian caste system is also the most important social institutions and norms.

话说有一对虔诚的乡下老夫妇，在当时的社会是属于地位低下的首陀罗阶级。老夫妇一家是为高等阶级的地主种田。

In a village there was an old couple who belonged to the lowest caste, the Shudra caste.  The old couple worked as paddy farmers to their landlord who was of higher caste. 

一天，当老夫妇各自提着便当往田地干活的途中，巧合遇上了一位刚刚出定，面容庄严的出家人经过。老先生即刻对老太太提议两人共用一个便当，让出一个来布施做供养那位路过的出家人。老太太欢喜的同意了。

One day, as the old couple was walking toward the paddy fields with each carrying own lunch box; they came across a solemn monk who had just rouse from an extensive meditation. The old man suggested to the old lady that they shared a lunch box so that another one could be offered to the monk. The old lady joyfully agreed.

那位出家人其实是位有神通的阿罗汉。看见贫穷的老夫妇跪在路旁给自己布施便当，很是高兴，就跟他们说：“你们供养我以后，你们会得到大福报。”

The monk was indeed an Arahant who had gained supernatural power. He was pleased upon seeing the poor old couple kneeling down by the roadside offering him their lunch box. He thus said to them: “you gave and therefore you shall be given.”

供养出家人过后老夫妇欢喜的回到田地里工作。当老先生正在卖力的锄地时，意外的挖出一箱黄金。其实那箱黄金早就埋在田里了，只是他们都不会挖掘到 – 尚若没那个因缘。但是因为他们供养了刚出定的阿罗汉，而就此结了缘。

The old couple happily proceeded to the paddy fields after the incident. When the old man was busy plowing the ground, he unexpectedly dug out a crate of gold. The gold had long been buried there since time immemorial, but they could never be able to get it should there be no merits. Nevertheless since they had done offerings to the Arahant, they thus earned the merits.

老实的老夫妇没有私自霸占那箱黄金，而是把它完整的交还给他们的地主。婆罗门教主人相信因果，觉得既然自己从来都没发现田地里埋了一箱黄金，所以认为那应该是老夫妇的福报。就把那箱黄金回送给老夫妇了。

The old couple was honest people that they did not seize the crate of gold for themselves; instead they submitted the crate to their landlord. The landlord whom was a Brahmanism follower, believed in Karma, he had insight that the gold should belong to the old couple as he had all the while never discovered it.

老夫妇也因此变得非常富有。当地的国王很快就得知这个拾金不昧的消息，国王要奖励这对诚实又善良的老夫妇，和表扬那位好心的地主。国王要为老夫妇改变原有卑微的奴隶身份，所以就认他们的女儿罗希妮为自己的妹妹。老夫妇也因此而提升了身份变成了贵族。

The old couple had become very rich people. The king soon learnt about their story and was very impressed by their honesty and their kind landlord. The king wanted to compliment them; he wanted to raise the status of the old couple. The king made their daughter Roshni, his majesty’s foster sister. The old couple thus had elevated status - the members of the royal family.

罗希妮本来就是一位美丽的女子。现在她的身份也提升为国王的妹妹，是有资格嫁给贵族富家子弟。所以她不久后就嫁给了当地一位富有的男子。因为自己过去是奴隶，嫁入富家的罗希妮在家里还是自己勤劳又认真的做家务。也没有雇佣婢女。

Roshni was indeed a pretty young lady. With her raised status as the foster sister of the king, she was eligible to marry any bachelor from prominent families. Not long after she was married to a spinster from a rich family. In view that she was originally slave, she did not employ servant for herself, and she did all household chores by herself.

罗希妮尽全力当一位勤奋又体贴的好妻子。只是她一直没忘记自己目前的福报都是因为她父母曾经供养过一位出家人。所以她跟丈夫要求，只要有出家人到来，允许她抽出时间去做布施。她还强调绝不拿丈夫的金钱做供养，而是用她父母给她的金钱。丈夫见她如此虔诚，也就答应了。

Roshni was a hardworking and caring wife. She always bore in mind of her miraculous fortune which was due to her parents who had once offered food to a monk. While keeping up with household chores, she requested her husband to allow her some personal time to do offerings whenever there were monks came to their place. She pledged to him that she would only use her own money for offerings. Her husband could not resist her fervent requests and thus given in to her.

有一次，释迦摩尼佛带了两百多位阿罗汉，来到罗希妮居住的地方结夏安居三个月。慈悲的佛陀希望当地的居民可以借此机会听闻佛法和种福田。罗希妮得知后非常欢喜，她即刻把握机会，决心要亲自伺候佛陀和他的僧团三个月。为了不影响对丈夫的饮食起居和作息，罗希妮恳求丈夫允许她回家乡找一位女仆代替在家伺候丈夫。但丈夫还没答应她的安排，罗希妮已从家乡带回一位非常漂亮又勤劳的女仆。因此罗希妮也就有机会亲自供养佛陀和他的僧团三个月。

There was a time when Buddha arrived with a group of over 2 hundred monks for their 3 months summer retreat at the city where Roshni was residing.  Buddha wanted to give opportunities for the local people to learn about Buddha teachings and sow good deeds.  Roshni soon learnt about the news and wanted to take the opportunity to offer services to Buddha and his disciples throughout the 3 months duration.  However, in order to ensure that all household duties were taken care of during her absence, she pleaded to her husband to let her employ a servant from her hometown to take care of the chores.  Not long before her husband could resist her request, Roshni was backed from her hometown taking along with her a very pretty young servant.  The husband eventually accepted the arrangement, and Roshni was thus permitted to offer services at Buddha’s summer retreat.

罗希妮全心全意的做供养三个月后，终于证得初果，整个脸相都改变了。但是，当她回到自己家时，那位漂亮的女仆已经对她起了坏念头。女仆嫉妒同是奴婢出身的罗希妮变成了富贵的大夫人，她觉得自己也可以取代罗希妮嫁给她的丈夫 - 只要她把罗希妮除掉。其实那女仆已经和罗希妮的丈夫有暧昧关系了。女仆在伺候男主人的三个月里已经暗地里勾引他了。

After the 3 months was over, Roshni in the end attained Sotapanna.  She returned home with a renewed complexion. However now, the servant whom Roshni employed during her absence had developed evil intention toward her. The servant was jealous at Roshni, knowing that she was born a servant, yet had the opportunity to be elevated to a rich man’s wife. The servant wanted to get rid of Roshni and take over her place as the mistress of the house. In fact the servant had already seduced her master during her 3 months duration serving at the house.

一天，女仆趁着罗希妮正在忙着煮滚水时，想要借机会让她毁容。女仆假意上前帮忙，却趁机把滚水泼洒在女主人的脸上。眼看着女仆把滚水泼向自己的脸，已经证得初果的罗希妮并没生起嗔恨心，反而起了悲怜心，深感同情女仆为了嫉妒心而向自己泼滚水。罗希妮一直以来都非常感恩那位女仆帮助她成就了三个月种大福田，因此心想就算为此而牺牲自己的性命也心甘情愿。

One day, as Roshni was buzy heating water in the kitchen, the servant took the chance to do away with her mistress. She approached Roshni and pretended to extend a helping hand, however instead of helping she spilled the boiling water toward her mistress’s face. Roshni who had attained Sotapanna, was not agitated nor annoyed seeing the wicked act of her servant, she instead empathized at her for having deluded by her jealousy. Roshni had always been deeply grateful for her servant, without whom she would not be able to participate at the earlier summer retreat.  Therefore she would not hesitate to sacrifice her own life for that servant.

心念的力量让人出乎意料，罗希妮一心念恩的心念让滚烫的水在快被泼到脸上时，即刻变成凉水。女仆惊讶的发现罗希妮并没被滚水烫伤，因此很不甘心，以为热水不够烫，所以就把自己的手伸进水锅里搅，结果她的手反而被烫伤。妒火中烧，女仆又想再次加害女主人，但这次被在旁边的男工人看到，赶过来把她抓起来打。

                                             

The power of mind is unpredictable. Roshni who was engrossed with profound gratitude, unknowingly transformed the boiling water into cold water before the water sopping her face. The servant was saddened seeing her mistress not injured, she quickly plunged her hand into the pot to find out if the water was really hot. The water was indeed boiling hot that it burnt her hand, which further aggravated her anger. Again she wanted to spill the remaining water towards her mistress.  Her malicious act was however noticed by the male servant nearby who promptly came over to stop her and beaten her badly.

女仆被打伤了，罗希妮不但不怨恨她的女仆，反而把那位愤怒的男工支开，把受伤的女仆带到房里帮她敷伤，不断地安慰她，说她只是因为一时冲动而干了傻事。女仆被宽宏大量的罗希妮感动的无地自容。她惭愧的跪在地上向女主人忏悔。罗希妮告诉女仆别向自己跪，因为那是没办法忏悔的。她建议女仆亲自向佛陀忏悔。

Roshni soon stop the beating and brought the injured servant to her room and personally treated her wounds, while kept on consoling her that she was just being impulsive and misled by that. The servant was deeply moved by Roshni’s magnanimity and regretted her own foolish acts. She shamefully knelt down in front of her mistress and repented her sins. However Roshni told her servant that it would not be of much help to kneel at her mistress, instead she told her servant to repent to Buddha in person.

当时佛陀刚好结夏安居完毕，功德无量。罗希妮亲自为女仆准备了大量的供养物，然后带着她去见佛陀，并告诉女仆趁这个机会好好供养佛陀做个大功德主。慈悲的罗希妮希望女仆也能像自己的父母一样因为供养过出家人而从此改变身份。

It was already the end of the summer retreat for Buddha and his followers. On behalf of her destitute servant, Roshni prepared some large quantity of materials as offerings, after which she personally led her to meet Buddha. She told her servant to take the opportunity to do offerings and be a generous benefactor. Kind Roshni wanted her servant to have the same opportunity as her parents, to be raised caste after having done offering to a monk.

接受供养后的佛陀向大众宣布这次真正的大功德主是罗希妮。大众都为此而感到迷惑，因为他们只看见女仆做供养。 佛陀就趁机会教育大众，当着大家面前问罗希妮当她看着女仆把滚水泼向自己时，心里是什么感受。罗希妮说她当时一点都不感到生气也没有怨恨，而且对女仆感恩都来不及，因为心里一直都记得女仆帮助她成就种大福田。佛陀听后就赞叹罗希妮是因为心里没有恨，滚水也都变凉水。不但没有嗔恨女仆，还带着她来向佛陀证得大功德。

After receiving the offerings, Buddha announced to the public that there were in fact 2 benefactors. Apart from the servant, Roshni was the benefactor behind the scenes. The public was puzzled because they witnessed just the servant did the offerings. Buddha thus took the opportunity to educate those present. In front of the audiences, Buddha asked Roshni what was in her mind upon seeing her servant pouring hot water toward her face. Roshni told Buddha that she was not at all annoyed; instead she was always deeply grateful for her assistance during her absence from home, without which she would not be able to attained Sotapanna. Buddha praised after hearing from Roshni that it was due to devoid of hatred that her willpower transformed the boiling water into cold water, and escaped the injuries. Compassionate Roshni not just did not hate her servant; she even brought her to meet Buddha and wanted her to sow merits.

女仆一直跪在佛陀面前忏悔，所以就证的初果。罗希妮的悲心让她成功的把自己的贪欲和嗔恚心完全断除，因此而证的三果阿那含，佛陀更是为这件事赞叹。

The servant repented all along while kneeling down in front of Buddha, she eventually attained Sotapanna. Roshni with her great compassion had successfully eliminated all her greed and anger, she thus attained Anagami. Buddha greatly praised the incident.

所以修行其实不一定要长时熏修，只要有正确的心念，生活上的一些机会教育也可以成就大功德。

Practicing Buddha teachings is therefore not necessary required long term training, with the right mind; daily lives offer plenty of opportunities for education that would lead to attaining great merits.