這裡的力量，比街頭更大
Great Strength Here Than Out on the Streets
巴黎梁皇寶懺 及慈悲精舍禪三心得 Insight from the 2026 Emperor Liang Repentance in Paris and Three-Day Chan in the Vihara
My name is Petter. I am Norwegian and live in Oslo. This is the third time I have traveled to Paris in the autumn to participate in the Emperor Liang Repentance ceremony. Due to work commitments, I could only be there for the final three days, joining a process that had already begun four days earlier in borrowed part of the old church Saint Christophe.
我叫Petter，是挪威人，住在奧斯陸。這是我第三次在秋天來到巴黎參加梁皇寶懺法會。由於工作原因，我只能參加最後三天的法會；法會借用了一座歷史悠久的天主教教堂——聖雅各——聖克里斯托夫教堂。
I always feel as though I am taking part in something mysterious—as if characters on a tapestry are revealing a secret world to me.
我總覺得自己在參與某種神秘的事件——彷彿掛毯上的人物正在向我揭示一個隱秘的世界。
I understand some Chinese, and since the ceremony is now also translated into English, it is possible to grasp the main themes; yet, the entire experience remains shrouded in a veil of mystery. It feels ancient—truly, profoundly ancient—stemming from a culture that is not only foreign but, at times, somewhat inaccessible in terms of its aesthetics and conventions. The whole event is a complex, multifaceted ritual—like a vast piece of machinery, a collaborative undertaking. From the ceremony itself to all the practical logistics—the flow of everything: the people, the equipment, the ritual implements, the food, the incense, the chanting, the songs, and the music—everything moves seamlessly. It is a joy to witness how so many people of different ages and backgrounds can work together and support one another. New participants are welcomed and guided on how to conduct themselves and take part.
我懂一些中文，而且現在法會也有英文翻譯，所以能夠把握主旨；然而，整個體驗仍然籠罩在一層神秘的面紗之下。它感覺古老——真正的、深刻的古老——源自一種不僅是外來的，而且有時在美學和習俗方面有些難以接近的文化。整個活動是一個複雜、多面的儀式——像一台龐大的機器，一項協作的事業。從法會本身到所有實際的後勤保障——一切的流轉：人員、設備、法器、食物、供香、唱誦、歌曲和音樂——一切都無縫銜接。看到這麼多不同年齡和背景的人能夠一起合作、互相支持，令人欣喜。新參與者受到歡迎，接受引導如何行事和參與。
On Sunday, we moved to Monastery, Vihara de la Compassion, for a three-day Chan retreat.
週日，我們搬到了慈心精舍，進行為期三天的禪修。
Once again, it is fascinating to observe the flexibility and adaptability on display. In Paris, an old church is transformed into a Buddhist hall, a residential building into a meditation hall, and a garage into a dining hall—and it truly feels as though a genuine transformation is taking place. Over the course of these few days—following a brief introduction to the primary meditation methods—we practice independently, alternating between 45-minute sessions of seated meditation and 15-minute periods of walking meditation. Each day, a dedicated time slot is set aside for discussion and questions.
再一次，觀察其中展現的靈活性和適應力非常耐人尋味。在巴黎，一座老教堂一隅被改造成佛堂，一棟住宅樓被改造成禪堂，一間車庫被改造成齋堂——而且確實感覺彷彿真的在發生著一種轉變。在這幾天裡——聽完對主要禪修方法的簡短介紹之後，我們各自進入禪修，在45分鐘的坐禪和15分鐘的行禪之間交替。每天都有專門的時間用於討論和提問。
The contrast could not be more striking: from the noise of the riots in the city to the silence of the Chan hall. From the looting in the streets to an environment where everyone strives to conduct themselves properly and assist one another with daily tasks. What feels unsafe becomes safe; restlessness transforms into tranquility. There is much greater strength here than out on the streets.
對比再鮮明不過了：從城市中騷亂的喧囂到禪堂的寂靜。從街頭的搶劫到一個每個人都努力端正行為、互相幫助處理日常事務的環境。不安全的感覺變成了安全；不安轉變為安寧。這裡有著比街上更強大的力量。
Care and consideration. I am grateful to be a part of this. I am grateful for the efforts made to make these teachings accessible in various languages, and I am deeply appreciative of the kindness of the Dharma masters—their generous dedication of precious time and energy to offer us hope in a world that can, at times, feel quite bleak.
關懷與體貼。我感恩能成為其中的一部分。我感恩為使這些教法以多種語言傳播所做的努力，也深深感激法師們的慈悲——他們慷慨地奉獻寶貴的時間和精力，在一個有時令人感到相當黯淡的世界中給予我們希望。