農歷七月的中國節日 Chinese Festivals in the 7th month of Lunar calendar

在農曆中，七月在中國文化中具有特殊的意義，因為它充滿了各種節日和傳統。 讓我們深入了解這段時間最著名的四個節日。

In the lunar calendar, the 7th month holds special significance in Chinese culture as it is filled with various festivals and traditions. Let's dive into four of the most celebrated festivals during this time.

首先，我們有七月初七。這個稱為七夕節或七七節是一個慶祝愛情和浪漫的節日。傳說織女和牛郎這對不幸的戀人每年只能在這一天見面一次。

First up, we have the 7th day of the 7th month. Known as the Qixi Festival or the Double Seventh Festival, it's a celebration of love and romance. Legend has it that two star-crossed lovers, Zhinü and Niulang, are allowed to meet each other only once a year on this day. 

接下來是鬼節，又稱月闌節或中元節。 這個節日是為了紀念和安撫不安的祖先與其他已故親人。人們相信在這一天，鬼魂在我們中間自由遊蕩，所以家家戶戶都會供奉食物及燒香。 

Next comes the Ghost Festival at the 15th day, also known as Zhongyuan Festival. This festival is all about honoring and appeasing restless ancestors and other deceased relative. It's believed that during this day, ghosts roam freely among us, so every family will offer food and burn incense. 

佛教的孟蘭節（或餓鬼節）一般在正月十五，與中元節相同。這是僧伽（印度的僧侶團體）夏季閉關的最後一天。佛教信徒相信，在這一天，通過向修行者供養，可以獲得神通力，拯救過去的祖先、世世代代父母親人的亡靈，脫離痛苦。當佛教傳入中國時，印度僧人的這種孝道儀式也開始在中國土地上萌芽。

The Meng Lan Festival (or Hungry Ghost Festival) from Buddhism typically falls on the 15th day, same as the Ghost Festival. It is the last day of the summer retreat for the sangha (the group of monks in India). Buddhist believers believe that on this day, by making offers to practitioners, they may earn the miracle power to save the ancestors of the past, the dead souls of parents and relatives for many generations, and escape from suffering. When Buddhism was introduced to China, this ritual of filial piety by Indian monks also began to sprout in Chinese land.

最後是農曆七月底地藏菩薩的生日。他被尊為慈悲的佛教菩薩，能幫助大眾減輕今生和來世的痛苦，因為他曾發願：地獄不空，決不成佛。信徒們在這天會到寺院獻花、燒香、念經，以表達對地藏菩薩的敬意。

Last, the birthday of Ksitigarbha on the end of the 7th lunar month. He have been revered as a compassionate Bodhisattva of Buddhism who helps alleviate suffering in both this world and afterlife, as he vowed that he will never become a Buddha unless the hell have be clear. In this day, devotees pay homage to Ksitigarbha by offering flowers, incense and chanting scriptures at monasteries.

時代的進步讓社會不再那麼傳統，人們開始減少思考傳統節日的意義。 我擔心這些傳統節日在我成為祖先之前就會消失。

The progress of the times has made society less traditional, and people have begun to think less about the meaning of traditional festivals. I worry that these traditional festivals will disappear before I have became an ancestor.

"心流"，內心的能量 "Flow", the energy of mental

正如心理學家 Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 所描述的，心流狀態是指完全沉浸並專注於一項活動的狀態。 當處於心流狀態時，個人會體驗到深刻的享受感、創造力和生產力。他們會完全專注於當下，忘記了時間和自我意識。

The state of flow, as described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, refers to a state of complete immersion and focus in an activity. When in a state of flow, individuals experience a deep sense of enjoyment, creativity, and productivity. They become fully absorbed in the present moment, losing track of time and self-consciousness. 

心流與禪修（或冥想）類似，都是強調全神貫注於當下的重要性。它可以通過從事具有挑戰性的活動來體驗，例如工作、運動或愛好。要求個人完全專注於自己的活動，並鼓勵他們培養正念和提高意識。

Similar to Zen (or meditation), flow emphasizes the importance of being fully present in the moment. It can be experienced through engaging in a challenging activity, such as work, sports, or hobbies. It requires an individual to be completely absorbed in their activities and encourages them to cultivate mindfulness and heightened awareness. 

禪宗需要有意識的練習和紀律，強調活在當下，並且不執著於任何特定的結果。然而，心流可以在與個人技能和挑戰相匹配的活動中自發地實現，它通常與目標導向的活動相關。

Zen requires intentional practice and discipline, emphasis on being present and do not attachment to any particular outcome. However, flow can be achieved spontaneously during activities that match one's skills and challenges, it is often associated with goal-oriented activities.

總之，心流和禪都可以達到正念和精神能量的狀態。心流是在日常生活中進行的活動中體驗到的，而禪則
是一種冥想和超脫世俗干擾的練習。這兩個概念都有其獨特的特點，並且有助於增強注意力、創造力和整體幸福感。

In summary, both Flow and Zen offer pathways to achieving a state of mindfulness and mental energy. While Flow is experienced during engaging activities in daily life, Zen is a formal practice of meditation and detachment from worldly distractions. Both concepts have their unique characteristics and can be beneficial in enhancing focus, creativity, and overall well-being.

順便一提，我，亞佳，也經歷過心流的狀態。有一次，我吃完早餐開始工作，完全忘記了自己的新陳代謝、午餐時間和下班時間。下班後我還應該繼續愉快地工作……我的老闆真不應該提醒我下班。她的好心舉動讓我突然受到飢渴之苦。

By the way, I, ArKai, have experienced the state of flow. Once, I completely forgot my metabolism, lunch hour and duty-off hour when I started work after my breakfast. I should still continue my work with joy after my office hours... My boss really shouldn't have reminded me to leave work. What she kindly did made me suffer from hunger and thirst suddenly.

八正道 The Noble Eightfold Path

八正道是佛教的一個基本概念，是過上健康和充實的生活的指南。它是佛陀的核心教義之一，旨在幫助個人發展智慧、道德行為和精神紀律。這些由八個相互關聯的方面組成，每個方面都在修行者的精神發展中發揮著至關重要的作用。
The Noble Eightfold Path is a fundamental concept in Buddhism that serves as a guide to living a wholesome and fulfilling life. It is one of the core teachings of the Buddha and is aimed at helping individuals develop wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline. These consists of eight interconnected aspects, each of which plays a crucial role in the spiritual development of a practitioner.  

正見：正確無誤地理解和看待一切諸法（特別是四聖諦）的合理性，並深刻了解我們的行為和信仰會在死後產生後果。
Right Understanding (Right View): Understand and view the rationality of all dharmas (particular of the Four Noble Truths) correctly and infallibly, with a deep know that our actions and beliefs have consequences after death.

正思（正志）：培養積極善意，遠離不正當的慾樂干擾。
Right Thought (Right Intention): Cultivating positive and wholesome intentions, and free from distractions of improper sensuality.

正語：強調使用真實、友善、有益的言語的重要性。練習者應避免說謊、分裂性言論、粗俗語言和流言蜚語等導致人際關係破裂的行為。
Right Speech: Emphasizes the importance of using words that are truthful, kind, and beneficial. Practitioners should avoid lying, divisive speech, vulgar language and gossip, etc. that cause a breakdown in relationships.

正業（正行）：通過學習五戒來控制和促進行為。正業包括從事有道德和促進福祉的行為，這有助於提高個人修養並避免造成惡業。
Right Action (Right Conduct): To control and promote behavior by learning the Five Precepts. Right action involves engaging in actions that are ethical and promote well-being, this helps improve personal cultivation and avoid create bad karma.

正命：以誠實、道德、不傷害自己或他人的方式謀生。這是鼓勵修行人避免從事給他人身心或財產安全造成不合理損失的職業。
Right Livelihood: To earning a living in a way that is honest, ethical, and does not cause harm to oneself or others. It encourages practitioners to avoid occupations that involve unreasonable losses on the physical and mental or property safety of others. 

正精進：不斷努力修善言行，隨時發現並捨棄惡行。 它要求修行者在練習中培養正念、能量和熱情。
Right Effort: Continuous efforts to cultivate good words and deeds, and to detect and abandon unvirtuous words and deeds at any time. It requires the practitioner to develop mindfulness, energy and enthusiasm in their practice.

正念：一種健康的心態，時刻保持對自己的思想、感受、身體感覺和周圍環境的覺知。它需要全神貫注及專心，不帶有批判或執著。
Right Mindfulness: A wholesome state of mind that keep maintaining a moment-to-moment awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment. It involves being fully present and attentive, without criticism or attachment. 

正定：指發展集中的、專一的注意力。通過冥想等練習，修行者的目標是培養平靜、鎮定的心態，遠離干擾和精神躁動，最終達到平和與正念。
Right Concentration: Refers to the development of focused and one-pointed attention. Through practices such as meditation, practitioners aim to cultivate a calm and collected mind, free from distractions and mental agitation, and culminating into peace and mindfulness.

通過遵循八正道，修行人的努力可以消除痛苦的根源，並從生死輪迴中獲得解脫。八聖道不是一個線性的進程，而是一個相互支持和加強的修行網絡。當修行者遵循八正道時，他們可以發展智慧、慈悲，以及對實相本質的深刻理解。
By following the Noble Eightfold Path, the practitioners' efforts can eradicate the source of suffering and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The Noble Eightfold Path is not a linear progression, but a network of practices that support and strengthen each other. Practitioners may develop wisdom, compassion, and a deep understanding of the nature of reality when they follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

即使是一個沒有經過禪修或戒律訓練的普通人，也可以通過學習八正道並將其融入日常生活中，來培養對自己和世界的更深刻的理解。這有助於個人的優化或減少因惡業而造成的痛苦。
Even if an ordinary person without any training of zen or precepts, may also cultivate a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world by learning and incorporating the Noble Eightfold Path into daily lives. It helps for personal optimization or reduce suffering due to bad karma.

精神內耗 Mental Internal Friction

精神內耗是指個體心靈或意識內部產生的衝突和緊張。從佛教的觀點來看，精神內耗與第六識、第七識密切相關。
Mental Internal Friction refers to the conflicts and tensions that arise within an individual's mind or consciousness. On the view point of Buddhism, mental internal friction is closely related to the Sixth and Seventh Consciousness.

當人們經歷精神內耗時，就會導致各種問題和挑戰。以下是可能出現的一些常見問題：
When people experience mental internal friction, it can lead to various problems and challenges. Here are some common issues that can arise:

情緒困擾：精神內耗會造成情緒困擾，如焦慮、壓力、內心動盪等。思想的衝突、慾望和執著會產生不安和不滿的感覺。
Emotional Distress: mental internal friction can cause emotional distress, such as anxiety, stress, and inner turmoil. Conflicting thoughts, desires, and attachments can create a sense of unease and dissatisfaction.

缺乏清晰度：當意識的不同方面之間存在衝突時，做出清晰而理性的選擇可能會具有挑戰性。
Lack of Clarity: When there is a conflict between different aspects of consciousness, it can be challenging to make clear and rational choices.

人際的鬥爭：思想和情緒的衝突會導致誤解、人際衝突以及溝通和聯繫的困難。
Struggles with Relationships: Conflicting thoughts and emotions can lead to misunderstandings, relationships conflicts, and difficulties in communication and connection.

幸福感下降：精神內耗會導致整體幸福感和幸福感下降。當一個人的內心不斷掙扎時，體驗平靜、滿足和成就感可能會很困難。
Decreased Well-being: mental internal friction can contribute to a decrease in overall well-being and happiness. When there is a constant struggle within one's mind, it can be challenging to experience peace, contentment, and fulfillment.

阻礙個人成長：精神內耗會阻礙個人的成長和發展。它會對自我反思、自我意識和從經驗中學習的能力造成障礙。
Hindrance to Personal Growth: mental internal friction can hinder personal growth and development. It can create barriers to self-reflection, self-awareness, and the ability to learn from experiences.

佛教中提到的“第六識”，又稱心識，負責處理思想、情感、知覺。它是我們意識中體驗外部世界並對其做出反應的部分。第六識會受到各種因素的影響，例如慾望、執著、厭惡等。
"The Sixth Consciousness" mentioned in buddhism, also known as the Mind Consciousness, is responsible for processing thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. It is the part of our consciousness that experiences and reacts to the external world. The Sixth Consciousness can be influenced by various factors, such as desires, attachments, and aversions.

“第七識”，也稱為末那識，是我們意識中產生自我或自我意識的部分。它負責創造認同感和個性感。第七意識依附於某些信念、慾望或期望。
"The Seventh Consciousness", also known as the Manas Consciousness, is the part of our consciousness that gives rise to the sense of self or ego. It is responsible for creating a sense of identity and individuality. The Seventh Consciousness can attached to certain beliefs, desires, or expectations.

當我們的思想、情感和感知（第六意識）與我們的自我或自我意識（第七意識）之間存在衝突或差異時，就會產生精神內耗。 這可能會導致痛苦和不滿。
mental internal friction arises when there is a conflict or discrepancy between our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions (Sixth Consciousness) and our sense of self or ego (Seventh Consciousness). This lead to suffering and dissatisfaction.

佛教為了控制因第六識與第七識衝突而形成的精神內耗，提倡並強調正念、覺知、智慧的修行。通過培養正念，人們可以更加了解第六意識中產生的思想、情感和感知。這種意識使人能夠觀察和理解這些經歷的本質，而不會過度依戀或厭惡它們，從而減少精神內耗。
To control mental internal friction that is formed by the conflict between the Sixth and Seventh Consciousness in Buddhism, the practice of mindfulness, awareness, and wisdom is promoted and emphasized. By cultivating mindfulness, one can become more aware of the thoughts, emotions, and perceptions that arise in the Sixth Consciousness. This awareness allows one to observe and understand the nature of these experiences without becoming overly attached or aversive to them, and thus reducing mental internal friction.

看似永不過期的中國傳統食材 Chinese Traditional Ingredients That Seem Never Expired

有些中國傳統食材，如果是天然、無添加且儲存得當的話，似乎不會過期。

There are some of the Chinese traditional ingredients that may possibly expire-free, if they are natural, additive-free and properly stored.

醬油具有濃郁的鮮味，是許多中國菜餚的主要調味料。通過保存在陰涼避光的地方，並遠離陽光直射和熱源，它可以保持新鮮數年。

Soy sauce, with its rich umami flavor, is a main seasoning in many Chinese dishes. It can stay fresh for years by keeping in a cool and dark place, and keeping away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

古法釀製的陳醋具有開胃消食的功效，經久存放，其令人垂涎的酸味會更加濃郁。

Aged vinegar brewed by the ancient method helps with appetizing and digesting, and its coveted flavor of sour will become stronger after time of stored.

米酒是用糯米發酵而成的一種烹飪調味料，也是一種傳統的宴會飲料。採用古老方法釀造的米酒不含酒精，可以長期保存而不失其獨特的風味。

Rice wine produced from fermented glutinous rice is a kind of cooking seasoning and a traditional drink on a gathering. Rice wine which produced by ancient methods without alcohol, can be stored for a long time without losing its unique flavor profile.

蜂蜜以其天然防腐特性而聞名。隨著時間的推移，它可能會結晶，但通過輕輕加熱就可以輕鬆恢復到液態。當在室溫或更低溫度下儲存在密封容器中時，蜂蜜可以無限期地食用。

Honey is known for its natural preservative properties. It may crystallize over time but can easily be restored to its liquid form by gently warming it. When stored in a sealed container at room temperature or lower, honey can remain edible indefinitely. 

陳皮常用於中藥和烹飪。如果將陳皮保存在密
封容器中，遠離濕氣和陽光，可以保存多年。隨著時間的推移，它的價格將會升值。

Tangerine peel (after air-dried or sun-dried) is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and cooking. Dried tangerine peel can last for years if kept in an airtight container away from moisture and sunlight. It will appreciate in price over ages.

當您在食品儲藏室或廚櫃中遇到這些永恆的食材時，請放心，即使經過數月甚至數年的儲存，它們仍然會為您的菜餚增添獨特的風味！

When you come across these timeless ingredients in your pantry or kitchen cabinet, rest assured that they will still add their distinct flavors to your dishes even after months or even years of storage!