..續本文上一頁minute and every second, because you don”t know which particular instant you might get enlightened. Someone is thinking, “I don”t want to have wisdom; my stupidity is just fine. If I don”t understand anything, so be it!” You are just trying to fool yourself. When it”s time to die, you”ll realize you”ve wasted your whole life, but by that time it”s too late for regret.

　　佛教在這個國家(美國)正是開始的時候，需要有真真實實的修行人，要躬行實踐。要專一其心地修行，要改過自新地修行，要破除習氣地修行，爲旁人的榜樣，這樣佛教的前途就光明。如果一開始，就沒有真正修行人作爲模範，沒有發大菩提心者，那麼，佛教在西方也不會興盛起來。所以佛教興衰的責任，要你們青年人負起這個重擔。

　　Buddhism is just beginning in this country (United States), and needs to have true cultivators, people who really practice. We must cultivate by concentrating single-mindedly; we must cultivate by changing our faults and renewing ourselves; we must cultivate by smashing through our bad habits and being a good model for others. If we can do that, Buddhism is sure to have a bright future. But if at the start there aren”t any true cultivators who can serve as good models, and no one makes a great resolve for Bodhi, Buddhism will not be able to prosper in the West. So the prosperity or failure of Buddhism is a great burden which all of you young people must bear.

　　現在叁步一拜果真(恒實)和果廷(恒朝)這樣誠心地修行，給佛教作爲開路的先鋒。他們在路上叁步一拜，不是爲自己求福報，而是爲世界求和平。兩年多以來，忍饑忍渴，忍寒忍熱，忍風忍雨，這樣地苦修，非一般人所能做到的。他們能忍人所不能忍的，能讓人所不能讓的，能吃人所不能吃的，能穿人所不能穿的，不管刮風下雨，照拜不誤，不管寒暑饑渴，不休息不懈怠，每天照常做早晚課，一時一刻也不躲懶偷安。他們這樣地發奮，就想將佛教推行到全世界去，令它發揚光大。這兩位行者，如此辛苦，不是圖名，不是貪利，而是以發展佛教爲己任。這種精神可嘉可勉！

　　Guo Zhen (Heng Sure) and Guo Ting (Heng Chau), who are now sincerely cultivating on a “three steps, one bow” pilgrimage, are the trailblazing pioneers of Buddhism. They take three steps and bow down on the road, not seeking blessings for themselves, but peace for the world. For more than two years, they have endured hunger, thirst, cold, heat, wind and rain. This kind of bitter cultivation is not something most people can do. They endure what others cannot endure, yield what others cannot yield, eat what others cannot eat, and wear what others cannot wear. Even in the wind and rain, they never miss a bow. In spite of the heat, cold, hunger, and thirst, they never stop to rest. Every day they do the morning and evening ceremonies as usual, not allowing themselves to be lax at any moment. The reason they are so energetic is because they wish to spread Buddhism and make it flourish all over the world. These two cultivators are working so arduously, not out of greed for fame or profit, but because they feel personally responsible for propagating Buddhism. Their spirit is truly commendable, and should be encouraged.

　　你們應該向叁步一拜二行者看齊，作爲借鏡。照照自己，反省一下，對佛教有什麼貢獻？我所行所作是爲自己還是爲佛教？如果爲自己，就應該生大慚愧心，立刻糾正這種不當的行爲；若是爲佛教，更要努力，再接再厲，推行佛教，維護佛教，要認真發菩提心，無企圖行菩薩道，一切爲人得安樂作前提，不爲自己利益作打算，這才是菩薩的精神。

　　All of you should strive to be like these “three steps, one bow” cultivators. When you see their example, you should ask yourself, "What have I contributed to Buddhism

　　 Do I do everything for my own sake, or for the sake of Buddhism

　　" If everything I do is for my own sake, I ought to be greatly ashamed and immediately correct my improper behavior. If it is for Buddhism, I should work even harder, and make a determined effort to propagate and support Buddhism. I should earnestly make the resolve to seek Bodhi, and practice the Bodhisattva Way without any expectations or desires. In everything I do, I should make the peace and happiness of others my top priority, and not scheme for my own benefit. That”s the true spirit of a Bodhisattva.

　　你們在禅堂裏，跑跑坐坐、坐坐跑跑，覺得很辛苦，若和叁步一拜他們的辛苦來比較，那是自在多了。關于這一點，要深深地體會，不要當面錯過，交臂失之。這兩位行者，若是不發菩提心，不行菩薩道，根本就不能堅持拜到底。

　　You are walking and sitting, sitting and walking, and you think it”s very grueling, but it”s much more comfortable than the toil of bowing every three steps. You should deeply realize this, and not let this opportunity go by in vain. If those two cultivators hadn”t made the Bodhi resolve to practice the Bodhisattva Way, they would find it impossible to persist and bow to the very end.

　　你們在禅堂裏，不要打妄想，身在禅堂中，心到世界去觀光，這樣胡思亂想，會影響修道之心。切記！不要把光陰空過，要把握時機，迎接開悟來臨！這樣的准備，才能對得起自己；否則，一切空談。

　　While in the Chan Hall, don”t entertain any idle thoughts. If you do, then although your body is in the hall, your mind is out sightseeing in the world. Those reckless and confused thoughts will affect your resolve to cultivate. By all means, don”t waste time. Use your time well and draw closer to enlightenment. If you prepare yourself in this way, you won”t be sorry. But if you don”t, it”s all just empty words.

　　一九七九年八月二十日開示于

　　萬佛聖城

　　A talk given on August 20, 1979

　　in the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas

《克期取證打禅七 Chan Sessions Are for Seeking Enlightenment in a Limited Time》全文閱讀結束。