英文原文
Staying Healthy in Mind, Body and Spirit - World Tribune
Daily Life
Staying Healthy in Mind, Body and Spirit
September 25, 2022
Illustration by JDawnInk / Getty Images
Eat a balanced diet. Get ample sleep. Foster healthy social relationships. These are well-known pillars for leading a healthy life. Despite our best efforts, though, we can still experience illness, even the life-threatening variety, which begs the question: What is true health, and how do we achieve it?
From a Buddhist perspective, health goes beyond the absence of illness; it implies a state in which we are consistently challenging ourselves to develop good physical, mental and social habits, with the aim of living as long as possible to fulfill our unique missions and help others do the same.
Ikeda Sensei recalls the wisdom he gained from a discussion with noted bioethicist Dr. Guy Bourgeault: “Health is not the complete absence of illness but, rather, an organism’s ceaseless struggle to preserve a dynamic balance in the face of the constant threat of illness.” This echoes a clause in the constitution of the World Health Organization, which reads, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” True health, therefore, can be viewed as an active and ceaseless struggle to create a dynamic balance within ourselves and with the environment, and in the process, develop physical, mental and social well-being.
Now that we know what it is, how do we achieve it? Here are key points on becoming healthy in the truest sense of the word.
Combatting the ‘Six Causes of Illness’
The Buddhist teacher T’ien-t’ai categorized the source of illness into “six causes of illness”:
· “Disharmony of the four elements” (earth, water, fire and wind), which refers to environmental disturbances that affect our health negatively.
· “Improper eating or drinking,” meaning poor diet or overindulgence.
· “Inappropriate practice of seated meditation,” implying not leading a balanced lifestyle.
· “Attack by demons,” which is bacteria or viruses that attack our body.
· “The work of devils,” which are impulses and cravings that disrupt our body’s healthy functions, as well as obstacles that prevent us from practicing Buddhism.
· “The effects of karma,” indicating illnesses that result from deeply rooted tendencies in our lives formed by our actions in previous lifetimes.
Addressing the first four causes of illness, Sensei provides the following mottoes for good health: 1) do an invigorating gongyo; 2) lead a balanced and productive lifestyle; 3) contribute to the welfare of others; and 4) eat wisely. These four points, combined with getting ample sleep, are important factors in minimizing stress and developing a healthy daily rhythm.
As for the fifth cause of illness, Sensei explains that Buddhist practice is essential to identify “the work of devils,” which refers to unhealthy impulses and cravings. When we chant resolutely to the Gohonzon, we can identify the habits and tendencies in our lives that cause us to suffer and bring forth the wisdom and life force to transform them.
The sixth cause is the most complex, as it relates to changing our karma, which requires sustained Buddhist practice. Nichiren says: “Illnesses of the sixth, which result from karma, are the most difficult to cure. ... Such illnesses can only be cured by the good medicine of the one Buddha Shakyamuni’s Lotus Sutra.” Rather than getting down on ourselves, Buddhism teaches us to recognize illness as an opportunity to build stronger, happier selves and use our experiences to encourage the people in our environment. As Nichiren explains, “Illness gives rise to the resolve to attain the way.”
Following this, we can implement six causes for maintaining excellent health. They are:
1) do an invigorating gongyo in which we sync our lives with the environment;
2) lead a balanced and productive lifestyle in which we strive to eat and drink in moderation;
3) conduct our daily activities in a way that encourages others and enables us to contribute to their welfare;
4) eat wisely to build a strong physical constitution that can combat harmful bacteria and viruses;
5) practice Buddhism consistently by chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo and propagating the Mystic Law to develop the awareness to recognize and defeat negative functions that attempt to throw off our balanced lifestyle and Buddhist practice; and
6) foster the awareness that illness provides a chance to transform our negative karma, enabling us to lead lives of profound fulfillment and happiness.
Establishing Genuine Health Requires a Shift in Perspective
Amid struggling with illness, remaining hopeful requires that we shift the way we view obstacles and what they mean to us. Consider this episode from The New Human Revolution, where Sensei, as Shin’ichi Yamamoto, encourages a man suffering with diabetes and lamenting the chronic nature of the illness:
There are many people with perfectly healthy bodies who are unhappy because they are ailing spiritually. On the other hand, there are many Soka Gakkai members who, while struggling with illness or disability, are not only genuinely happy themselves but also work for the happiness of others.
At life’s most fundamental level, health and sickness are one. There are times when our life manifests a healthy condition and times when it manifests illness. The two conditions are interconnected. Thus, by making earnest efforts in faith and fighting against illness, we can establish a state of genuine health both mentally and physically.
Even if we are physically sick, we can still become happy and fulfill our mission for the happiness and harmony of society. Shin’ichi continues:
There are many people who must take insulin injections regularly for the rest of their lives. But if you think about it, eating and sleeping is something we must do every day, too, to live. Try to view your injections as just one more thing that’s been added to your daily routine. It won’t do any good to let it get you down.
I hope you will live in such a way that others struggling with the same condition will marvel and say: “Look how energetic he is, despite his diabetes! Look at what a long life he is enjoying! Look how happy he is!”
Illness Can Be a Benefit!
As long as we are alive, we can create value and hope. In fact, illness can enable us to appreciate the people and things we once took for granted. We may have more time to chant, read good literature, plan for the future or interact more deeply with those around us. This spirit of ceaseless advancement, to continue fighting in our hearts, is crystallized in a determination Sensei once wrote about how he planned to live out his life:
I will keep speaking, keep writing, keep calling out for justice. If I am no longer able to walk, I will still be able to write. And if I can’t use my hands, I’ll still be able to talk about Buddhism. I’ll still be able to chant to the Gohonzon and read Nichiren Daishonin’s writings.
I will continue exerting myself until my last breath leaves my body, even if I have to crawl on all fours. That’s my determination. Please watch me. For that is the path of Buddhism and will represent the total victory of my life.
Through Buddhist practice, not only can we create value in any situation and change the future outcome, but we can transform the meaning of our struggles. Depending on our life condition, our illness can be a cause for gradual decline or a tailwind propelling us to a profound sense of joy, creativity and fulfillment.
Determine to Live Long!
For those of us who practice the Mystic Law, we vow each day to spread hope and harmony to others by sharing the heart of the Buddha’s teaching through our words and actions. Therefore, each day of life produces another ripple of peace and happiness that makes its way throughout the ocean of humanity. For this reason, Nichiren wrote, “One day of life is more valuable than all the treasures of the major world system.” The longer we live, the more humanity benefits from our existence and the more fortune we accumulate, which is why cherishing the goal to live long is a core element of Buddhist practice.
This notion of living a long life can be traced to the Lotus Sutra, which says, “Our wish is that in future ages we may use our long lives to save living beings.” Ultimately, a wish to live long is not about fearing death but rather so that we can expend more energy sharing the Mystic Law with others and elevating the life state of humanity. This does not mean that all Buddhist practitioners will become centenarians. Rather, it means that we strive to live our lives in a way that maximizes our life span. In addition, when facing a life-threatening illness or injury, it means that we persevere with the determination to overcome that ailment and extend our lives. And even if a Buddhist practitioner were to die from an illness or accident, their resolve to contribute to the happiness of humanity, an expression of their Buddhahood, will carry them from this lifetime to the next in that life condition.
The mentors of Nichiren Buddhism have highlighted the importance of striving to extend one’s own life and the lives of their loved ones and comrades. Nichiren often discusses how he extended his mother’s life by four years through his Buddhist practice. Founding Soka Gakkai President Tsunesaburo Makiguchi survived longer than expected in prison and died on November 18, 1944, with complete dignity and composure, discussing the benefits of the Mystic Law with the prison guards until the end of this life. In November 1957, one month before accomplishing his lifetime membership goal of 750,000 households, second President Josei Toda seemed to be facing his final days. He persevered, greatly improved his condition and lived an additional five months, passing away on April 2, 1958, after achieving his lifetime goal and bequeathing the mission and responsibility for kosen-rufu to the youth. And Sensei often mentions how he suffered from tuberculosis as a youth and his doctor told him he wouldn’t live past age 30. At 94, he has far outlived his projected life span.
Living long is embodied by the Buddhist ideal of treasuring each moment of life. Sensei writes about this, saying:
Valuing the life of each person based on the Lotus Sutra’s teaching that everyone possesses the Buddha nature is the heart of our efforts for kosen-rufu. At the same time, because each of our lives is so precious, we should aim to live them to the fullest and accomplish our missions.
“Distinctions in Benefits,” the Lotus Sutra’s 17th chapter, says, “Our wish is that in future ages we may use our long lives to save living beings.” ...
For us, this is the determination and prayer to continue persevering no matter what and dedicating our lives to helping and supporting others.
Of course, death eventually comes to us all. For that very reason, we should strive in our own way to demonstrate the Buddhist principle of prolonging one’s life through faith so that we have no regrets. To that end, we need to have the wisdom for leading a long and healthy life.
Therefore, refreshing our goal to live long and with no regrets is directly connected to fulfilling our unique role to prove the beneficial power of the Mystic Law.
Throughout our lives, we are bound to face illness ourselves and in our families. From the Buddhist perspective, these are the most opportune times to deeply transform our negative karma and build unshakable happiness. No matter how deeply we are suffering in the moment, the important point is that we keep striving in faith, making every possible cause we can for victory, whether it be chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in our hearts, calling friends in our district or studying Nichiren’s writings and Sensei’s encouragement. In this sense, that we are fighting to live and give hope to others means that we are defeating the confines of illness and developing true health.
—Prepared by the Living Buddhism staff
中文翻译
保持身心健康与精神健康 - 世界论坛
日常生活
保持身心健康与精神健康
2022年9月25日
插图由JDawnInk / Getty Images提供
均衡饮食、充足睡眠、培养健康的社会关系。这些是健康生活的知名支柱。尽管我们尽力而为，但我们仍可能经历疾病，甚至是危及生命的疾病，这引发了一个问题：什么是真正的健康，我们如何实现它？
从佛教的角度来看，健康超越了没有疾病的状态；它意味着一种状态，在这种状态下，我们不断挑战自己，培养良好的身体、心理和社会习惯，目标是尽可能长寿，以完成我们独特的使命并帮助他人做同样的事。
池田先生回忆起他从著名生物伦理学家盖伊·布尔若博士的讨论中获得的智慧：“健康不是完全没有疾病，而是有机体在面对疾病的持续威胁时，不断努力保持动态平衡。”这与世界卫生组织宪章中的一条款相呼应，该条款写道：“健康是一种完全的身体、心理和社会福祉状态，而不仅仅是疾病或虚弱的缺失。”因此，真正的健康可以被视为一种积极且不断的斗争，以在我们自己和环境之间创造动态平衡，并在此过程中发展身体、心理和社会福祉。
既然我们知道了什么是真正的健康，我们如何实现它？以下是成为真正健康的关键点。
对抗“六种病因”
佛教导师天台将疾病的根源分为“六种病因”：
· “四大不调”（地、水、火、风），指的是影响我们健康的环境干扰。
· “饮食不当”，意味着不良饮食或过度放纵。
· “坐禅不当”，意味着没有过平衡的生活方式。
· “恶魔攻击”，指的是攻击我们身体的细菌或病毒。
· “魔鬼作祟”，指的是破坏我们身体健康功能的冲动和渴望，以及阻碍我们修习佛教的障碍。
· “业力影响”，指的是由我们前世行为形成的根深蒂固的倾向导致的疾病。
针对前四种病因，先生提供了以下健康格言：1）进行充满活力的勤行；2）过平衡且富有成效的生活方式；3）为他人福祉做出贡献；4）明智饮食。这四点，加上充足睡眠，是减少压力和培养健康日常节奏的重要因素。
至于第五种病因，先生解释说，佛教修行对于识别“魔鬼作祟”至关重要，这指的是不健康的冲动和渴望。当我们坚定地唱诵御本尊时，我们可以识别生活中导致我们痛苦的习性和倾向，并唤起智慧和生命力来转化它们。
第六种病因是最复杂的，因为它涉及改变我们的业力，这需要持续的佛教修行。日莲说：“第六种病因，即由业力引起的疾病，是最难治愈的。……这种疾病只能通过释迦牟尼佛《法华经》的良药来治愈。”佛教教导我们，与其自怨自艾，不如将疾病视为建立更强大、更快乐自我的机会，并利用我们的经验来鼓励我们环境中的人。正如日莲所解释的，“疾病生起求道之心。”
遵循这一点，我们可以实施六种保持卓越健康的原因。它们是：
1）进行充满活力的勤行，使我们的生活与环境同步；
2）过平衡且富有成效的生活方式，努力饮食适度；
3）以鼓励他人并使我们能够为他们的福祉做出贡献的方式进行日常活动；
4）明智饮食，以建立能够对抗有害细菌和病毒的强壮体质；
5）通过唱诵南无妙法莲华经和传播妙法来持续修习佛教，培养识别和击败试图破坏我们平衡生活方式和佛教修行的负面功能的意识；
6）培养意识，即疾病提供了转化我们负面业力的机会，使我们能够过上深刻满足和幸福的生活。
建立真正的健康需要转变视角
在与疾病斗争的过程中，保持希望需要我们转变看待障碍及其对我们意义的方式。考虑《新人类革命》中的这一集，先生作为山本伸一，鼓励一位患有糖尿病并哀叹疾病慢性性质的人：
有许多身体完全健康的人因为精神上的痛苦而不快乐。另一方面，有许多创价学会成员，尽管在与疾病或残疾斗争，不仅自己真正快乐，而且为他人的幸福工作。
在生命最基本的层面上，健康和疾病是一体的。有时我们的生命显现健康状态，有时显现疾病状态。这两种状态是相互关联的。因此，通过真诚地努力信仰并与疾病斗争，我们可以在心理和身体上建立真正的健康状态。
即使我们身体生病，我们仍然可以变得快乐，并完成我们为社会幸福与和谐的使命。伸一继续说：
有许多人必须定期注射胰岛素度过余生。但如果你想一想，吃饭和睡觉也是我们每天必须做的事情，以生存。试着把你的注射视为只是添加到日常生活中的另一件事。让它让你沮丧没有任何好处。
我希望你以这样的方式生活，以至于其他与同样状况斗争的人会惊叹并说：“看，尽管他有糖尿病，他是多么精力充沛！看他享受多么长的寿命！看他多么快乐！”
疾病可以是一种益处！
只要我们活着，我们就能创造价值和希望。事实上，疾病可以让我们欣赏我们曾经视为理所当然的人和事。我们可能有更多时间唱诵、阅读好文学、规划未来或更深入地与周围的人互动。这种不断进步的精神，继续在心中战斗，体现在先生曾经写下的关于他计划如何度过一生的决心中：
我将继续说话，继续写作，继续呼唤正义。如果我不再能走路，我仍然能够写作。如果我不能用手，我仍然能够谈论佛教。我仍然能够唱诵御本尊并阅读日莲大圣人的著作。
我将继续努力，直到我的最后一口气离开我的身体，即使我必须四肢爬行。这是我的决心。请看着我。因为那是佛教的道路，并将代表我生命的全面胜利。
通过佛教修行，我们不仅可以在任何情况下创造价值并改变未来结果，而且可以转化我们斗争的意义。根据我们的生命状态，我们的疾病可以是逐渐衰退的原因，也可以是推动我们走向深刻喜悦、创造力和满足感的顺风。
决心长寿！
对于我们这些修习妙法的人来说，我们每天发誓通过我们的言行分享佛陀教义的核心，向他人传播希望与和谐。因此，生命的每一天都会产生另一波和平与幸福的涟漪，遍及人类的海洋。因此，日莲写道：“一日之命，胜过大千世界一切珍宝。”我们活得越久，人类从我们的存在中受益越多，我们积累的福报也越多，这就是为什么珍惜长寿目标是佛教修行的核心要素。
这种长寿的观念可以追溯到《法华经》，其中说：“愿在未来世，以长寿救众生。”最终，长寿的愿望不是关于害怕死亡，而是为了我们可以花费更多精力与他人分享妙法，并提升人类的生命状态。这并不意味着所有佛教修行者都会成为百岁老人。相反，这意味着我们努力以最大化我们寿命的方式生活。此外，当面对危及生命的疾病或伤害时，这意味着我们坚持不懈，决心克服那种疾病并延长我们的生命。即使佛教修行者因疾病或事故去世，他们为人类幸福做出贡献的决心，作为他们佛性的表达，将使他们从这一生带到下一生，保持那种生命状态。
日莲佛教的导师们强调了努力延长自己生命以及亲人和同志生命的重要性。日莲经常讨论他如何通过佛教修行延长了他母亲的寿命四年。创价学会创始人牧口常三郎在监狱中存活的时间比预期的长，并于1944年11月18日去世，完全尊严和镇定，与狱警讨论妙法的益处，直到生命的尽头。1957年11月，在完成他一生75万户会员目标的前一个月，第二任会长户田城圣似乎面临他的最后日子。他坚持不懈，大大改善了他的状况，并多活了五个月，于1958年4月2日去世，在实现他一生目标并将广宣流布的使命和责任遗赠给青年之后。先生经常提到他年轻时患有肺结核，医生告诉他活不过30岁。在94岁时，他远远超出了他预期的寿命。
长寿体现了佛教珍惜生命每一刻的理想。先生写道：
基于《法华经》教导每个人拥有佛性，珍视每个人的生命是我们为广宣流布努力的核心。同时，因为我们的每一个生命都如此珍贵，我们应该旨在充分生活并完成我们的使命。
《法华经》第17章“分别功德品”说：“愿在未来世，以长寿救众生。”……
对我们来说，这是无论发生什么都要继续坚持不懈的决心和祈祷，并将我们的生命奉献给帮助和支持他人。
当然，死亡最终会降临到我们所有人身上。正因为如此，我们应该以自己的方式努力展示通过信仰延长生命的佛教原则，以便我们没有遗憾。为此，我们需要有长寿和健康生活的智慧。
因此，刷新我们长寿且无遗憾的目标直接与完成我们独特的角色以证明妙法的有益力量相关。
在我们的一生中，我们注定会面对自己和我们家庭的疾病。从佛教的角度来看，这些是深刻转化我们负面业力并建立不可动摇幸福的最佳时机。无论我们此刻多么痛苦，重要的是我们继续在信仰中努力，为胜利做出每一个可能的原因，无论是在心中唱诵南无妙法莲华经，打电话给我们的地区的朋友，还是学习日莲的著作和先生的鼓励。从这个意义上说，我们为生存和给予他人希望而战斗，意味着我们正在击败疾病的限制并发展真正的健康。
—由《生活佛教》工作人员准备
文章概要
本文从佛教视角探讨了中年健康与福祉，强调真正的健康不仅是身体无病，而是通过持续努力实现身心平衡，以长寿完成使命并帮助他人。文章介绍了天台宗的“六种病因”理论，包括环境、饮食、生活方式、细菌、心理障碍和业力因素，并提供了应对策略，如勤行、平衡生活、利他行为和明智饮食。通过日莲佛教的实践，如唱诵南无妙法莲华经，可以转化负面业力，将疾病视为成长机会。文章还鼓励转变视角，将疾病视为益处，并决心长寿以传播妙法，最终实现真正的健康与幸福。
高德明老师的评价
用12岁初中生可以听懂的语音来重复翻译的内容：这篇文章就像一本健康指南，告诉我们健康不只是不生病，而是要像玩游戏一样，不断挑战自己，保持身体、心情和社交都好。它说生病有六个原因，比如环境不好、吃太多垃圾食品、或者心里有坏念头。我们可以通过做勤行、过平衡生活、帮助别人和吃健康食物来变得更健康。生病时，不要难过，可以把它当成一个机会，让自己变得更强大和快乐。佛教修行，比如念经，能帮我们改变坏习惯，活得更久，去帮助更多人。
佛学的各个宗派视角评价，突出《显密圆通成佛心要集》的视角：从佛教显宗和大乘视角看，本文强调通过日常修行如勤行和唱诵，实现身心平衡，这体现了《显密圆通成佛心要集》中显密圆融的理念，即显教教义与密教实践相结合，以准提法为例，其简便易行，能快速净化业障，提升生命品质。文章中的“六种病因”与准提法对治烦恼和业力的目标一致，准提法通过咒语和观想，帮助修行者转化负面能量，达到健康与觉悟。从大乘角度，本文鼓励利他行为，与准提法强调自利利他、普度众生的精神相契合，突显了准提法在中年健康修行中的优越性。
在修行实践上可以应用的和可以解决人们的十个问题：在修行实践上，本文内容可以应用于解决人们的十个问题：1）如何应对环境压力，通过勤行与环境同步；2）如何改善饮食习惯，通过明智饮食增强体质；3）如何管理时间，通过平衡生活方式提高效率；4）如何克服心理障碍，通过佛教修行识别负面冲动；5）如何转化业力，通过持续实践改变命运；6）如何面对疾病，将其视为成长机会；7）如何培养乐观心态，通过转变视角看到希望；8）如何延长寿命，通过决心和智慧实现长寿目标；9）如何提升社交关系，通过利他行为促进和谐；10）如何实现生命价值，通过传播妙法贡献社会。准提法在这些方面提供了具体方法，如持咒净化身心，帮助修行者快速达成健康与幸福。