文／東晉．王羲之（303~361）

仰觀宇宙之大，俯察品類之盛；

所以遊目騁懷，足以極視聽之娛。

夫人之相與，俯仰一世，

或取諸懷抱，晤言一室之內；

或因寄所託，放浪形骸之外。

雖趣舍萬殊，靜躁不同；

當其欣於所遇，暫得於己，

快然自足，不知老之將至。

及其所之既倦，情隨事遷，感慨系之矣。

向之所欣，俛仰之間已為陳跡，

猶不能不以之興懷；

況修短隨化，終期於盡。

古人云：「死生亦大矣。」豈不痛哉！

──選自《晉書．王羲之傳》

Preface to the Orchid Pavilion

Collection(Excerpt)

Wang Xizhi (303 - 361, Eastern Jing Dynasty )

English translation: Ven. Miao Guang

We gaze upon the formidable universe and overlook an immensely diverse earth. Thus, we are able to broaden our views, and expand our horizons, which suffices to be a luxury which pleases the eyes and ears. In associating with others throughout life, some gather under a roof to share their ambitions, while some, overwhelmed by emotion, enter a trance of freedom from the restrictions of real life. Though in between them lie a range of varied interests, differing in temperaments of serenity and excitability, the moment they take pleasure in what they encounter, satisfied and content, all remain unaware of approaching old age. Until they become fed up with their preoccupations, emotions change along with that of the world, and remorse takes the place of contentment. That which had satisfied them, in the blink of an eye, has become that of the past, and all that is left is but a choice to not lament over it. Moreover, though the human lifespan changes according to one’s acts, eventually, all must die. Just as those in the past had once said, “life and death are also important moments.” Does not this cause even greater sorrow!

── from Jin Shu-Wang Xizhi Zhuan

(Book of Jin: A Biography of Wang Xizhi)

【案】生死是再自然不過的事，即使是佛陀，也要「有緣佛出世，無緣佛入滅；來為眾生來，去為眾生去！」人生世緣已了，隨著自然而去；重重無盡的未來，也會隨著因緣而來。能把生死看成是如如不二，生又有何喜？死又何足為悲呢？