人生就该：无喜无悲，随缘自在

The world is not as beautiful as we think; life is filled with disappointments. If we expect too much from this world and from life, if we are not prepared for impending difficulties, we will just be left to face death, illness, bankruptcy, loss of reputation, etc. with apprehension. It will be hard for us to accept what happens at that time; even a minor problem can lead us to take our own lives.

未雨绸缪，才能有备无患。本来世界并不是我们想象的那么美丽，人生存在着很多坎坷。如果对客观世界和人生的期望值过高，没有危机意识和心理准备，就只能唐突地去面对死亡、生病、破产或名声受到损害等各种突变。那时候，我们一定会难以承受。或许一个并不算太大的痛苦，也会让我们自我毁灭。

During the Vietnam War, an admiral in the US navy, James Stockdale, was captured. His observations in prison led him to conclude: “The optimists were the first to die. They were the ones who blindly believed everything would work out. They always said, ‘We will be freed by Christmas!’ When it was Christmas and they were not freed yet, they would say, ‘We will definitely be out of here by Easter.’ When it was Easter and they were still in prison, they would say, ‘We will be freed by Thanksgiving.’ However, when Thanksgiving came and went, they were still around. Because of overly high expectations and harsh conditions in prison, they finally died broken-hearted.”

越战期间，有一位美国海军上将詹姆斯•史达克岱尔(James Stockdale)曾当过战俘。他的心得是: “乐观者最早死。”他说：在一大帮被俘虏的人当中，最先死去的，是那些盲目地抱着乐观态度的人。他们总是会说：“圣诞节的时候，我们会获得自由！”然而圣诞节过去了，他们并没有获得自由；然后他们又会说：“复活节的时候，我们肯定会获得自由了。”然而，复活节又过去了，他们还是没有获得自由；接着他们又会说：“感恩节的时候，我们就会获得自由了。”然而感恩节又过去了，他们仍然没有获得自由。由于期望值过高，而现实又很残酷，所以最后会心碎而亡。”

Actually, this is the case in all situations. We should neither be too pessimistic nor too optimistic in life. We should abide in the middle way, go with the flow, and understand all things are impermanent, like a dream or illusion. With the right view and attitude, we can be free from the grip or hold that wealth has on us. With money, we can be happy; without money, we can be equally carefree.

其实，在任何领域都是这样。没有必要太悲观，也没有必要太乐观，应该保持中庸、随缘的心态，并了知世事的无常与如梦如幻。如果能以正常、坚强的心态去面对人生，就能永远站在金钱的上面，而不会被金钱压得喘不过气来。有钱的时候开心，没有钱的时候也一样自在。

This is how the Buddhist teachings can be applied to life.

这，就是佛陀的方法在现实生活中所起到的作用。

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