人怎样才能开悟呢？开悟好像开锁一样。锁能把门锁上，禁止你出入，你一定要有一把钥匙，才能把门锁打开；否则将永远被禁在屋中。那么这把钥匙放在那里？就在你自己的身边，很容易找到。怎样去找呢？你现在参襌打坐、念佛、持咒，就是在找钥匙。什么时候能找到呢？就要看你自己的修行程度而定。如果精进，很快就找到；如果懈怠，就永远找不到，不但今生找不到，即使来生也找不到。这种道理非常简单。
How can we become enlightened? Enlightenment can be compared to unlocking a door. When the door is locked, you can't go in or out through it. You have to use a key to unlock the door. If you don't have the key, then you'll be locked inside the house forever. Where is the key? It's right where you are; it's very easy to find. How can you find it? As you sit in Chan meditation, recite the Buddha's name, and recite mantras, you are looking for the key. When will you find it? It depends on the level of your cultivation. If you are vigorous, you will find the key very quickly. If you are lax, you'll never find it, not in this life or in lives to come. This is a very simple principle.
在你心中也有一把锁，这把心锁就是无明，它能使你清净光明的心，变成染污黑暗的心。境界来了，没有智慧去判别是善是恶，便做出颠倒事。你修行得力，便能把无明破了。借着钥匙，心锁自然打开，智慧光明现出之后，无论遇到什么事，也都没有烦恼了。
In the analogy, the lock in your mind represents the ignorance that causes your pure and bright mind to become dark and defiled. When you encounter situations, if you lack the wisdom to distinguish good from evil, you will act in deluded ways. After you have gained skill in your practice, you will be able to smash through ignorance and unlock the door of your mind to reveal bright wisdom. Then no matter what happens, you won't get afflicted.
什么是无明？简而言之，就是黑暗，什么都不明白。因为不明白真理，把心锁上了，所以不能开悟。
What is ignorance? To put it simply, it is darkness, or lack of understanding. When we don't understand the truth, our mind is locked up and we cannot attain enlightenment.
在唐朝代宗皇帝时，有个太监，名叫鱼朝恩，他问国师：“什么是无明？”国师说：“你这副奴才相，那有资格问佛法？”他勃然大怒。国师笑说:“这就是无明。”所谓“无明火能烧功德林。
” During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang dynasty, there was a eunuch named Yu Chao'en. Yu Chao'en asked the National Master [the Dharma Master who was the emperor's spiritual teacher], "What is ignorance?" The National Master said, "You look like a slave. What makes you think you're qualified to ask about the Buddhadharma?" The eunuch was furious. The National Master smiled and said, "That is ignorance." A proverb says: "The fire of ignorance can burn up a forest of merit and virtue."
现在能够开悟的人，都是在从前修种种善因，今生才有成就。如果以前没有修种种善因，今生不会开悟。想要开悟？一定要预先修行，才有开悟的希望。
People are able to become enlightened only because they cultivated many good deeds in their past lives. If they hadn't cultivated those good deeds, they wouldn't attain enlightenment in this life. Do you want to become enlightened? Then you must first cultivate. Only then will there be hope for enlightenment.
释迦牟尼佛，他怎能在今生成佛呢？
How did Shakyamuni Buddha achieve Buddhahood?
因为他“三祇修褔慧，百劫种相好”。
He cultivated blessings and wisdom for three asamkhyeya kalpas.
And planted the causes for the fine hallmarks for a hundred eons.
三大阿僧祇劫中修褔又修慧，又在一百个大劫中修三十二相、八十种好的功德，因此他在菩提树下，夜睹明星而悟道。如果他以前没有修行，今生便不会成佛。
For three great asamkhyeya kalpas (uncountable eons), he cultivated blessings and wisdom. For a hundred great eons, he performed merit that led to his being adorned with the Thirty-two Hallmarks and Eighty Subsidiary Characteristics. That's why he was able to become enlightened upon seeing a bright star one night while sitting under the Bodhi tree. If he hadn't cultivated in the past, he couldn't have achieved Buddhahood when he did.
一九八Ｏ年七月十二日开示
A talk given on July 12,1980
