與屍體或蟒蛇作伴 泰國僧侶的極限冥想

A decomposing body may not seem like an ideal meditation aid, but at some of Thailand’s tens of thousands of Buddhist temples, it is common to find monks reflecting while seated before a rotting corpse.

一具腐爛的屍體或許不像是輔助冥想的理想之物，但在泰國的數萬座佛寺中，有些寺裏的僧人的確經常坐在腐爛的屍體前沉思。

The practice of corpse meditation, largely limited to Thailand today, is an ancient concept in Buddhism, sanctioned by the Buddha himself.

這種屍體冥想是佛教的一種古老觀念，由佛陀本人准許，如今基本只在泰國境內存在。

There are centuries-old murals and manuscripts depicting scenes of meditation next to different types of cadavers, some infested with worms, others cut in two or being picked at by crows.

一些有數百年曆史的壁畫和手稿描繪了人們在屍體旁邊冥想的景象，屍體多種多樣，有的佈滿蛆蟲，有的一分爲二，還有的被烏鴉啄食。

The unpleasant sight and overpowering stench of flesh decaying in tropical heat can impart lessons about important Buddhist precepts, like nonattachment to one’s body and the impermanence of everything, said Justin McDaniel, a professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

這種令人不快的場面以及肉體在高溫下腐爛的難聞臭味可以傳達重要的佛教教義，諸如不要執着肉體，一切都是無常，賓夕法尼亞大學宗教學教授賈斯汀•麥克丹尼爾(Justin McDaniel)說。

The ritual is viewed as a powerful way to learn selflessness, Professor McDaniel said, and the more selfless you are, the closer you are to nirvana.

這種儀式被視爲一種學習無我的強大方式，麥克丹尼爾說，你愈是無我，就愈接近涅槃。

The corpse is often that of a child or young adult who has died unexpectedly.

屍體通常是意外死亡的孩子或年輕人的。

A family will donate the body to a temple, hoping something good can come from the tragedy.

家人把屍體捐到寺廟，希望這樣的悲劇可以產生一些善果。

The monks see the deceased young people as representing the best of humanity, Professor McDaniel said.

僧侶們把這些早逝的年輕人視爲人性最美好一面的代表，麥克丹尼爾教授說。

They’re innocent — not so selfish and greedy and ambitious.

他們是純潔的——並沒有太多的我執、貪念和野心。

If something so beautiful can decay, why are you so proud and vain? You’re even uglier.

如果這樣美好的東西也會腐朽，爲什麼你還要如此驕傲自負呢，你更醜陋。

The abbots who run Thailand’s temples, or wats, have tremendous leeway in adopting innovative approaches to meditation, and certain practices may be limited to a single sanctuary.

泰國寺院的住持有很大的自由度，可以採用各種有創意的冥想方式，有些方式只限於在某一座寺廟進行。

At one temple in Nong Bua Lamphu Province, a monk meditates in what appears to be hot oil.

在廊磨喃蒲府(Nong Bua Lamphu Province)的一座寺院裏，一個僧侶在似乎是熱油的液體裏冥想。

At another temple, Wat Tham Mangkon Thong, nuns meditate while floating in a pool.

在金龍洞寺(Wat Tham Mangkon Thong)，尼姑漂浮在水池中冥想。

At Wat Pai Civilsai, meditation has taken place in a box with pythons.

在Pai Civilsai寺，僧侶們在裝着蟒蛇的箱子裏冥想。

Monks also meditate in caves and coffins, where the absolute darkness enhances concentration.

僧侶們還會在洞穴和棺材裏冥想，裏面絕對的黑暗有助於集中精神。

So-called forest monks who observe strict ascetic practices known as dhutanga are said to meditate while walking for weeks without ever lying down, even to sleep.

所謂的林中僧侶奉行一種嚴格的苦修，叫做頭陀苦行。據說他們在冥想中會一連行走幾個星期，不用躺下來休息，甚至不睡覺。

It is not only monks who meditate in ways that may seem extreme.

不僅僅是僧人會以看似極端的方式進行冥思。

Julia Cassaniti, an anthropology professor at Washington State University, was walking in the woods of a Thai monastery when she heard screams coming from a hut.

華盛頓州立大學人類學教授茱莉亞•卡桑尼提(Julia Cassaniti)在泰國一座寺院的森林裏行走時，聽見一座小屋裏傳來陣陣尖叫聲。

The laypeople inside were using meditation to interact with their past lives, a struggle that adherents describe as painful.

屋裏的俗家修行者正在使用冥想與自己的前世交流，根據信徒的描述，那是一種痛苦的掙扎。

A mediation technique that both monks and laypeople practice is a 10-day period of total silence.

有一種僧人和俗家修行者都採取的冥想方式是連續10天保持絕對靜默。

Some temples offer meditation retreats for tourists and encourage visitors to remain awake for the final three days.

有些寺院爲遊客提供冥想體驗場所，鼓勵遊客在最後三天一直保持清醒。

The sleep deprivation is seen as worth it to get to the first stages of enlightenment, said Brooke Schedneck, a lecturer in Buddhist studies at the Institute of South East Asian Affairs in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

爲了達到覺醒的初級階段，睡眠剝奪被認爲是值得的，泰國清邁東南亞事務研究所的佛學講師布魯克•施德尼克(Brooke Schedneck)說。

The goal of meditation for all Buddhists is to gain insights into spiritual truths.

所有佛教徒冥想的目標都是爲了獲得對靈性真相的認識。

These more extreme practices, Professor Cassaniti said, can heighten the access, so you get there a little faster or more intensely.

卡桑尼提說，這些更加極端的修行方式可以增強接近真相的機會，幫助你更快，或是更強烈地體驗那種境界。