幸福和人生观有很大关系。西方的积极心理学，就是引导我们积极、正向地看待问题。从佛教角度来说，有什么样的认识，决定了我们会看到什么样的世界。因为我们眼中的世界，只是呈现在认识上的影像，是被个人感觉改造过的。
Our happiness is closely linked to our view on life. In the West, Positive Psychology encourages people to adopt a positive outlook on challenges. Similarly, Buddhism places great importance on views, as they shape the world we see. Buddhism suggests that the world before us is simply an image formed in our cognition, skewed by our personal feelings.
比如说，我们看到的世界和狗看到的世界一样不一样？肯定不一样。因为狗的认识和人不同，所以狗的见闻觉知自然也和人不同。除了感觉以外，我们还会受到情绪的影响。比如我们对那个人有好感，看他做什么都顺眼；对那个人很讨厌，看他做什么都不顺眼。可见，拥有什么样的认识模式，对于每个生命非常重要。
Take, for instance, a dog’s view of the world – does it match ours? Clearly not. A dog perceives the world differently from us; naturally, what it sees, hears, and senses is different from us. While perception influences one’s view of the world, emotion also plays a major role in shaping our views. When we admire someone, we tend to approve of their actions; conversely, if we hold disdain for someone, we find fault in everything they do. How we view the world, therefore, is critical for each of us.
我们的认识也会影响到心态。有个故事说，一位老阿婆整天哭泣，天晴天雨都要哭。别人问她哭什么？她说：我有两个女婿，一个做雨伞，一个做瓦片。天晴时，我想着做伞的女婿没生意了，所以要哭；下雨时，我想着做瓦的女婿没法干活，所以也要哭。
Our perspectives greatly influence our attitudes. There’s a tale of an elderly woman who wept daily, regardless of the weather. When questioned about her tears, she explained, “I have two sons-in-law. One crafts umbrellas, the other roof tiles. I worry for the umbrella maker on sunny days, fearing he has no business, and for the tile maker on rainy days, worried he can’t work.”
后来有位禅师对她说：你换个方式想，下雨就想着做伞的女婿，天晴就想着做瓦的女婿。阿婆自从调整认识之后，每天都乐呵呵的。这就说明了积极思维和消极思维的差别。
A Chan master advised her to shift her mindset: to think of the umbrella maker on rainy days and the tile maker on sunny days. Once the woman adjusted her outlook, she found joy every day. This story highlights the stark contrast between positive and negative thinking.
佛教既不是消极心理学，也不同于积极心理学，它给我们提供的，是一种如实、正向的思维。所谓如实，就是和事实真相相符。佛教认为，人类的很多烦恼都和认识有关，这就需要调整观念，改变认识，所谓“智慧没有烦恼”。
Buddhism is neither Negative Psychology nor Positive Psychology. It offers us a way of thinking that is truthful and positive. To be truthful is to align with the actual reality of the world. The Dharma teaches that many of our afflictions stem from our views. Therefore, it is essential to elevate our views and mindsets through wisdom. When guided by wisdom, afflictions cease to exist.
古代很多文人士大夫都喜欢通过诵经来调心，这也是改变认识的过程。比如《金刚经》告诉我们：“一切有为法，如梦幻泡影，如露亦如电，应作如是观。”在这个世界，从秦皇汉武到唐宗宋祖，所有这些辉煌，不过是因缘和合的假相，会随着条件的聚合和消散而生灭。
Many ancient Chinese literati cultivated their minds by chanting sutras, which is one way to change views. For instance, the Diamond Sutra teaches, “All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew, and lightning, and should be viewed as such.” The grandeur experienced by emperors in times of great wealth is but a momentary illusion, subject to the ebb and flow of causes and conditions.
具备这样的认识后，我们对现实世界就不会看得那么重。一帆风顺时，不至得意忘形，因为它未必长久；遭受挫折时，也不会受伤太深，因为它就会过去。有了这样的认识和心态，就能在积极进取的同时，不为所累。
Adopting this perspective helps us not to place undue importance on current events. It teaches us to remain grounded during success, aware of its fleeting nature, and resilient during challenges, understanding they too will pass. This mindset allows us to act proactively without feeling weighed down.
摘自《心灵创造幸福》
作者：济群法师
Excerpted from:
Happiness Comes from the Mind
By Master Jiqun
