《旅途脚印》| 忠告——索达吉堪布
忠告 | Sincere Counsel
如果有些修行人，在寂静山林中修行，我们应尽量提供方便、帮助和安慰，使之千万不要离开。这样不仅功德很大，而且很有必要。供养修胜义善法之人的功德，一般的凡夫难以衡量。但若制造违缘，后果也不堪设想。
If we happen to know someone is doing spiritual practices in deep mountain woods, we should try our best to offer provisions, help, and encouragement, such that the practitioner doesn’t ever think to cut short the retreat. This kind of support is not only in great need but also most meritorious. The virtue of offering to practitioners is unfathomable to ordinary minds. On the other hand, the consequences of creating obstacles to them are equally unimaginable.
很久以前，在一座山里住着一只山兔和一位修行人。一次，很久没下雨了，修行人为之所困，不得不准备离开，到城市去。山兔得知后，再三劝阻，却不能打动他。最后不得不跳入火坑，为其讲诉静处的功德、城市的过患。终令修行人为之感动而留了下来，并最终获得成就。
Once there were a mountain hare and a practitioner in the high mountains. At one time a drought befell the area for a long period; parched, the practitioner was forced to prepare to leave his retreat and head for the village. Learning this, the mountain hare tried very hard to stop the practitioner, but to no avail whatsoever. In the end, the hare resorted to jumping into a flaming pit, declaring to him the advantages of a place of solitude versus the drawbacks of the village. The practitioner was so moved by the hare that he decided to stay put. Eventually, he attained accomplishment.
世间的人们却往往不如一只山兔，真是令人惭愧。所以，即使我们不能为那些修行人提供顺缘，但也千万不要制造障碍。
Compared with this mountain hare, ordinary people are usually nowhere close. Isn’t it embarrassing! Even if we are unable to offer the necessary provisions for practitioners, we should, by all means, not create any obstacles.
作为修行人也应明白，只要真心修行，再大的困难也能克服。博朵瓦曾说：
As for practitioners, it should be understood that by dint of concerted effort, difficulties could be overcome, no matter how great they may prove to be. Geshe Potowa has taught:
“即使纷纷扬扬下了九天九夜的大雪，云雀也能寻觅到栖身之地。同样，即使整个国土动荡不安，正法衰落隐没，如果孜孜不倦地策励修习，也必能找到隐藏容身并促进修行之胜地。”
After a nine-day snow blizzard, the skylarks can still find a place to hide for safety. Likewise, even when the whole country is in turmoil and the Dharma is degenerating, by tenacious study and striving, one is bound to find a niche conducive to spiritual practice.
违缘往往是成就的先兆，不要埋怨外境，应向内观。
Obstacles usually are the presages of accomplishment. Do not blame outward circumstances; reflect inward instead.
壬午年三月初五
2002年4月17日
5th of March, Year of RenWu
April 17, 2002