In order to attain liberation, we need to forsake material wealth, fame and those fulfillments associated with secular life. However, it does not mean that all must be abandoned as even the Buddha needed to beg for alms every day. To the eyes of ordinary people, the Buddha manifested as someone who also needed food, clothes and other necessities to live. So for us it is even more unlikely that we can completely give up worldly life. But in addition to managing everyday life, we also need to have unshakable determination to take the path to liberation. On this basis, even one single recitation of mantra can begin to turn us around. The more steps we take on the path, the closer we are to liberation. Conversely, to live life the way we used to will take us further away from it.

从现在起，为了获得解脱，我们必须放弃那些世俗的金钱、名利。当然不是全部放弃。释迦牟尼佛在显现上也天天托钵化缘，天天要吃饭；当然，佛吃不吃饭肯定是无所谓的，但在众生的眼里，佛也会如此示现，凡夫就更做不到彻底放弃世俗生活。但除了生活以外，我们还要有一个坚定不移的决心—走解脱道。在此基础上，哪怕念一句咒，就已经开始回头了，走一步是解脱道，走两步也是解脱道，走得越多，离解脱越近。依照我们以前的方式生活，不回头一直往前走，就会离解脱越来越远。

 

 

All these are easily said than done. Since generating renunciation is easier than arousing bodhiccita, we should begin with the former. This is also the Buddha’s way，for fear of discouraging people to continue if they run into trouble doing the most difficult thing first. Thus, having generated renunciation, we then go on to develop bodhiccita and lastly to practice emptiness. Having sufficiently comprehended Madhyamaka of the exoteric school, we can advance to the profound practice of Great Perfection. Such are the most reliable steps for the path.

说起来很简单，做起来却不是很容易。出离心比菩提心容易一些，所以我们先易后难，能做到的先做，释迦牟尼佛的方法也就是这样；不能把最难的东西先推给你，否则所有的人都会灰心失望，能做到的先做，做完以后再做其他的。出离心生起了，就修菩提心；菩提心有了，就修空性；显宗中观的空性了解以后，就提升到密宗大圆满的层次：这是最踏实的路。

Although this teaching should be for the beginners, I feel that most people still need to hear. On renunciation and bodhicitta, you can all say a thing or two and pass exams. But can you pass in actions? I don’t think I can pass. If you cannot either，let us all work hard on it.

虽然我讲的这些内容，是针对刚刚学佛的人而言的，但我想很多人还是需要的。让你们讲什么是出离心，什么是菩提心，你们多数人都会讲，考试能及格，但是在实际行动上及不及格？我想我不及格，你们及不及格？如果不及格的话，那我们还是需要实实在在地修。

 

 

I gave teachings on renunciation and bodhicitta a few years ago, on emptiness last year. This year the subject is back to the very basics again. You may wonder why, but I think this is necessary. You should take this opportunity to check in terms of real action if you have completed the foundational practice satisfactorily. That is, whether you have made any progress toward the generation of renunciation and bodhicitta, or been positively influenced by the Dharma in any significant way. To be able to satisfy the requirement of foundational practice is the very basic achievement of any practitioner.

前几年我讲了出离心和菩提心，去年又讲了很多空性的修法，今年又回到最基础的地方，像幼儿园的小朋友一样从头开始学。你们是不是有点儿不理解，但我认为这是需要的。你们可以想一想：自己是不是需要调整一下？在实际行动上，你们是不是把最基本的修法修好了？也就是在出离心、菩提心上面有没有什么进步、收获，内心深处有没有获得什么佛法的利益，这是修行人最基本的成就。