轮回中没有绝对的幸福

Without the Buddhist teachings and practice, most people are still able to endure suffering; this is because they hold on to hope, even if it is very slight. Faced with good fortune, however, it is difficult for them to remain composed; with money, power, and status, they become megalomaniacal and self-important. Unable to return to their simple life before, and even less willing to listen, reflect, and practice the teachings, they indulge in material pleasures and gradually deplete their blessings.

如果没有佛法的教育和修行，面对痛苦，一般还能承受；面对幸福，却很难保持从容淡定。因为再苦，心里还抱着一丝希望；有钱、有权、有名的时候，人就会狂妄自大、忘乎所以，无法再和以前一样平平淡淡地过普着通人的生活，更无法静下心来闻思修，整日过着奢侈的生活，减损自己的福报。

A lot of people are envious of the rich and are mistaken in thinking material things can bring all kinds of happiness. Further influenced by materialism in the West, they relentlessly pursue a life of material pleasures. Except for those who understand the Dharma and are serious practitioners, many of the rich are not happy and are actually more troubled and afflicted than ordinary people. If we examine how they make and spend their fortune, we may discover countless negative deeds being committed behind the facade of glittering wealth. How can this be a blessing?

很多人自来就羡慕有钱人的生活，他们错误地认为：物质生活会给自己带来所有的幸福；再加上后天西方物质主义思想的侵蚀，更是不遗余力地追求物质享受。但除了一些懂得佛法，并努力修行的人以外，很多有钱人不但不觉得幸福，反而比一般人更浮躁、更痛苦。如果深究有钱人赚钱、花钱的管道，或许会发现其背后都是无边的恶业，这又谈何福报呢？

Thus the Buddha and many Buddhist masters explained there is no absolute happiness in the three realms, particularly the desire realm. Although there is happiness in life, it is relative and short-lived; within happiness are seeds of suffering.

所以，佛陀和很多成就者都告诉我们：三界当中，尤其是欲界众生，没有绝对的幸福。虽然现实生活当中存在幸福，但这些幸福都是短暂的、相对的，其中包含着不幸福的种子。

Whether it is the temporary happiness we experience in everyday life, or the everlasting happiness one attains after transcending samsara, neither originate from a life based on material pursuit but from peace and freedom of the mind. When the mind is occupied by hate, selfishness, and desire, it is not free. To attain lasting freedom, the mind must be rid of the poisons of desire, anger, delusion, and arrogance.

无论现实生活当中短暂的幸福，或是超越轮回以后永久的自由幸福，都不是源自于外在的物质生活，而是源自于内心的安静与自由。当心里有嗔恨心、自私心、贪欲心时，就不会自由。要得到终极、永恒的自由，就必须祛除内心当中的贪嗔痴慢。

As our understanding of the Dharma deepens, we can stay calm however great the vicissitudes in our life.

若有佛法甘霖的浸润，人生再怎么大起大落，都能保持平稳的心态。