流转轮回的根本之因----我执

The reason why we should understand the nature of suffering is not curiosity but to resolve the continuous cycle of rebirth and death. Just like a doctor who, in order to treat an illness，needs to examine and diagnose its cause first, we need to know what the nature of suffering is in order to end suffering. And the first step is to identify the cause of our cyclic existence in samsara.

之所以要认识苦谛并非出于好奇，而是要解决生老病死的问题。就像医生为了治病而去观察、分析病的来源一样，认识苦谛就是为了能断除它，具体的方法，就是先要找出我们流转轮回的原因。

Regarding the cause of being in samsara, there have been various assumptions ranging from being purely accidental to everything being masterminded by God. But all of them are refutable because one-sided opinions do not make good enough evidence. Only the ones that have been recognized as sensible and logical by those of great and varied learning can be considered valid proof. So far, the conjectures made by either the atheists or the fatalists have failed to convince the majority precisely because they lack such recognition.

对此有种种说法：无因无缘、造物主的安排等等。但这些说法都是经不起推敲的，因为只有单方面的认可不能算是证据，只有被有智之士一致公认为是理性的、合乎逻辑的论点，才能算是根据。而这些立论又都是缺乏强有力的证据来说服他人的。

The root cause of our cyclic existence in samsara is clinging to an inherently existing self wherefrom greed, hatred and delusion arise. Such clinging makes one concern just for one’s own benefit and work only for the well-being of oneself. Without it, selfish thoughts will not arise, neither will the ensuing deeds.

凡夫流转轮回的根本原因就是我执，由我执而产生贪嗔痴。因为有了我执，就会想方设法利益自己，为一己之利而奔忙。如果没有我执，就不会产生利己的念头，也就没有接踵而来的种种善恶之行。

Certain religions like to stress the mysterious power of ghosts and spirits. Although Buddhism does not deny their existence, it believes the biggest demon in the world is the deeply embedded tendency to cling to the self. Outer demons can only affect our daily life in small ways, such as causing illnesses or obstacles. They cannot bind us in samsara, not even if the ghosts of the entire universe combine their forces. Only clinging to the self has such power. Yet, we have never realized that this fellow, Self, who abides in our mind at all times and whom we are very fond of, is really a demon. If we are tired of taking the same route back to samsara again, we must first eliminate this demon. Only then can we be completely free of its interference.

有些宗教喜欢说神论鬼，佛教虽然不否认鬼神的存在，但却认为潜藏在每个人心中的我执，才是世界上最大的魔鬼。外在的魔障最多只能影响我们日常生活中的一些小问题，例如生病或不顺遂，却无法将我们束缚于轮回，就算集中三千大千世界所有的鬼，也无法使我们流转轮回，唯有我执有此能耐。但我们却一直没有意识到，这个常时存在于心中，并深得自己欢心的家伙竟然是个魔鬼。如果我们不想再继续走轮回的路，就必须先将此魔消灭，之后才能过得自由自在，不再受到它的扰乱。