你、我的「公案」You & Me – a reflection
一般人最執著，也是諸般煩惱的根源，那就是「我」，凡事「我」最大，一切都以「我」為主。有了「我」，就會有分別，因為自他的利害關係或個人的好惡不同，而生起差別心。殊不知正因為有此分別與執著，人生才會苦不堪言！
Most people are subconsciously self-centred.  This concern leads to anxiety and vexation.  Due to self-interest and “me” as an identity, we differentiate ourselves among us.  As each has its own preferences, dislikes, and different beneficiary relationship (or lack of) with others, our mindsets all vary.  Such obstinacy and differences bring us grief.

佛教有一則很平凡的公案，但若能用心深思，就會有深刻的感觸。有位禪師具有很好的修持，也很平易近人，所以有很多信徒隨他參禪學佛。有一位居士前來請禪師解惑：「禪師，雖然我常來此坐禪參學，但還是參不透、無法突破：到底什麼是『佛』？」
There is a very simple Buddhism fable with, if thought through philosophically, profound revelations.  There was a learned and approachable Dharma master with many disciples.  One day, a scholar asked him for advice : “Master, though I come often to learn Buddhism, I still cannot understand what is Buddha.”

禪師微笑著說：「居士，你就是佛！」這位居士覺得莫名其妙又惶恐不安，趕快端坐對禪師說：「不敢，不敢！我還是一個凡夫。」 禪師仍然微笑著說：「因為有一個『我』占滿了你的心，障礙了清淨的本性，所以你不知道自己就是佛。」居士仍不明瞭，再問：「既然您說我就是佛，那請問禪師，您呢？」
The Master smilingly replied : ”Sir, you are Buddha.”  Feeling perplexed and apprehensive, the scholar immediately denied : “No, no.  I am just a ordinary man.”  Still smiling, the Master said : “You do not realize you are a Buddha because your mind is filled with the thoughts of yourself which cover up and block your pure nature.”  Still not comprehending, the scholar asked again : “If I am a Buddha, what about you?”

禪師說：「唉！你為什麼要想這麼多？有一個『我』就讓我們無法超凡入聖了，再多一個『你』，豈不是更無法成佛嗎？」這位居士一聽，若有所悟。
The Master sighed : “Why do you have to think about that?  Just a “me” is enough to stop us from rising above commoners.  Wouldn’t it be more difficult to become a Buddha with a “you”?”  The scholar appeared to understand upon hearing that.

我們在世間不斷對人我生起分別心，又從名利、地位、貴賤中再起分別，因而產生相互的對立、衝突，起種種煩惱。凡夫就在這些分別中產生很大的障礙，無法體認自己本具的清淨佛性。
We constantly think of us as different from others, with further differentiations due to fame, wealth, hierarchy, and class status.  From these come confrontation, conflict, and other bothers which obscure and prevent common people from recognizing the pure, Buddha instincts in themselves.

註：
公案是中國佛教禪宗常用的名詞，原指官府判決是非的案例，後為禪宗借用。以古代禪師開悟的故事、非邏輯的言行，作為參禪時思惟的內容。這類的故事或言行，稱為公案。

Translated by Harry So, Sydney, Australia