修行經驗(八) - 奴隸 (Practice Experience (8) - The Slave of Clinging)

光看標題可能會誤解

以為筆者要談政治

民主體制或是獨裁政權之類的

沒有喔

這比那些要嚴重多了

舉例來說

新世代的人以環保為己任

不遺餘力地在這方面犧牲奉獻

不斷地付出

有的有償，有的無償

只因為這樣的價值觀對他們來說

是有意義的

又或是

老一輩的

認為傳統的倫理道德最重要

長幼有序、知書達禮、尊師重道

沒有其他的可以相比

再不然

錢權至上者

認為沒有比得上財富跟權力

有錢跟權就有力量

可以掌控他人

有宗教信仰者

我的神，我的信仰，我的方法才是正確的

跟我的神說的不一樣

跟我的信仰說的不一樣

跟我的方法不一樣

就要下地獄

從以上種種案例來看

是不是有著各式各樣的奴隸主

也有著各式各樣的奴隸

看到這裡

心急的讀者先不用急著反擊

筆者沒打算批判什麼

畢竟都是因緣

筆者也有著各式各樣的執著

凡是執著的

不管是什麼

它就是您的主人

有的成為自由的奴隸

有的成為環保的奴隸

有的成為錢權的奴隸

有的成為信仰的奴隸

有的成為XX的奴隸

執著在哪

願就在哪

職責就在哪

苦就在哪

願各位幸福無煩惱

===================

Just by looking at the title, some might misunderstand, thinking that the author is going to talk about politics—democracy, dictatorship, or something like that.

No, not at all.

This is something far more serious.

For example, the new generation takes environmental protection as their mission, dedicating themselves tirelessly to this cause. They keep giving—some with compensation, some without—simply because such a value is meaningful to them.

Or perhaps the older generation holds traditional ethics and morality as the highest priority—respecting hierarchy, being well-mannered, and honoring teachers. Nothing else compares.

Then there are those who regard wealth and power as supreme. With money and power, they believe, comes strength—the ability to control others.

Among religious believers, some think: My God, my faith, my method—only those are correct. Anything different from my God, my faith, or my method will lead to hell.

Looking at these examples, aren't there various kinds of masters? And aren't there various kinds of slaves?

To the impatient readers, don't rush to argue. The author isn't criticizing anything—everything is just paccaya (conditions).

I, too, have various clinging.

Whatever you cling to, that becomes your master.

Some become slaves of freedom.
Some become slaves of environmentalism.
Some become slaves of wealth and power.
Some become slaves of faith.
Some become slaves of XX.

Where there is clinging, there is taṇhā (craving).
Where there is craving, there is duty.
Where there is duty, there is dukkha (suffering).

May everyone be happy and free from suffering.