It is difficult to become a Buddha but becoming a devil is the matter of a moment because we are always at a crossroads, always faced with, and in the midst of, decisions.
人成佛很难，但是成为魔鬼却是一念之间的事情。因为我们始终处在十字路口，始终面临着选择，始终都在选择中。
The devilish side of human nature tempts us all the time: when we know it’s wrong we do it anyhow; when we know it’s right we are unwilling to persevere.
人性中魔鬼的一面，时时都引诱着我们：明明知道错的，却还是去做了；明明是对的，却又不愿去坚持。
Many decisions are the false step of a moment.
很多选择，往往只是电光火石间的一念之差。
These are known as “Between Buddha and demon the idea of an instant.”
这就叫“佛魔一念间”。
For example, because of a false step in a quarrel someone may, through a sudden surge of evil, knife somebody; somebody else may lose self-control in the face of wealth and corruptly misappropriate public funds.
比如，由于一念之差，有人在争吵时起了凶心而持刀杀人；有人在钱财前不能自主为了享乐而贪污了公款……
It is precisely because of this hair’s breadth instant of thought between Buddha and demon that the Zen classic the Diamond Sutra strongly emphasises the need to “guard every thought with virtue” and to take care of every idea.
正因为“佛魔一念间”，所以禅的经典《金刚经》中，一直特别强调“善自护念”，要好好照顾好我们的念头。
中文大意：
人成佛很难，但是成为魔鬼却是一念之间的事情。因为我们始终处在十字路口，始终面临着选择，始终都在选择中。
人性中魔鬼的一面，时时都引诱着我们：明明知道错的，却还是去做了；明明是对的，却又不愿去坚持。很多选择，往往只是电光火石间的一念之差。这就叫“佛魔一念间”。比如，由于一念之差，有人在争吵时起了凶心而持刀杀人；有人在钱财前不能自主为了享乐而贪污了公款……
正因为“佛魔一念间”，所以禅的经典《金刚经》中，一直特别强调“善自护念”，要好好照顾好我们的念头。
摘自: 吴言生著《CHINESE ZEN A PATH TO PEACE AND HAPPINESS》，
TONY BLISHEN 译，Better Link 出版社，纽约 )
