5月1日

說喻之一
佛光星雲 ( 1927~ )

有一個富翁，覺得生活過得沒有意義，就去找
一位哲學家，希望哲學家能減少他心中的愁苦。

哲學家就帶富翁到窗邊，對他說：「你看到
些什麼？」

富翁：「我看見男男女女，還有小孩子。」

哲學家又帶他到一面鏡子前，問他：「現在
你看到些什麼？」

富翁：「我看到我自己。」

哲學家：「窗和鏡子都是玻璃做的，可是鏡子
的一面鍍上一層水銀，因此你看不見別人，
只看見自己。」富翁聽了，恍然大悟。

──選自《星雲日記》

May 1

Parables I
Venerable Master Hsing Yun (1927 - , Fo Guang Shan)
English translation: Zhi Yue

There once was a rich man, who felt life to be unmeaningful
and went to a philosopher in hopes that it would reduce the
anxiety within his heart.

The philosopher took the man before a window and asked,
"What do you see?"

"I see men and women, as well as children," replied the man.

The philosopher then took him before a mirror, and asked,
"What do you see now?"

"I see myself," said the man.

The philosopher explained, "Both windows and mirrors are
made of glass, but one side of the mirror is coated with a layer of
mercury, so you cannot see others but only yourself."

The rich man listened, and finally understood.

── from Hsing Yun Riji (Venerable Master Hsing Yun's Diaries)