..續本文上一頁 sat facing a wall for nine years, contemplating the subtleties of Chan principles.

　　神光洋洋得意，以爲自己是勝利者，不知達摩修忍辱波羅蜜行門。菩提達摩剛走，無常鬼就來了，對神光法師說：「你是神光嗎？」

　　Meanwhile, Master Shenguang felt in rare high spirits, since he considered himself the victor. He had no idea that Patriarch Bodhidharma was cultivating the perfection of "patience under insult." As soon as Patriarch Bodhidharma departed, the Ghost of Impermanence arrived, and said to Master Shenguang, "Are you Shenguang

　　"

　　神光說：「我是神光，有什麼事情？」

　　Master Shenguang replied, "That”s me. What”s up

　　"

　　無常鬼說：「我奉閻羅王的命令，請你去喝茶，談談你講了多少經？念了多少經？還有多少經沒有講、沒有念？」

　　The ghost answered, "I”m under orders from King Yama to invite you to a tea party. King Yama wants to discuss with you how many Sutras you have lectured on, how many you have recited, and how many Sutras you haven”t yet explained and recited."

　　神光一聽，嚇得魂飛九霄雲外，知道壽命將終，乃懇求地問：「誰能了生死，不受閻王所管？」

　　At that, Master Shenguang was scared out of his wits; he knew he was at death”s door. He pleaded with the ghost, "Who can put an end to birth and death, and escape King Yama”s jurisdiction

　　"

　　無常鬼說：「就是剛才那個滿臉大胡子，被你打掉兩顆牙齒的黑和尚。」

　　The Ghost of Impermanence answered, "That bushy-bearded, dark-skinned monk whose two front teeth you just knocked out a moment ago." The answer sparked a feeling of deep regret in Master Shenguang, because he had lost his temper in ignorance and thereby driven away an enlightened sage.

　　神光一聽，後悔自己不應該發無明火，將證果聖人打跑了。于是乎向無常鬼要求：「能不能讓我去找那個和尚，學學了生死之法？」

　　He made a further request of the Ghost of Impermanence, "Would it be possible for me to go find that monk and learn how to put an end to birth and death

　　"

　　無常鬼同情地說：「可以！不過速去速回，我好交差，否則我擔待不起。」

　　The Ghost of Impermanence answered sympathetically, "Very well, but do hurry a bit and get the business done and return so that I can turn in my duty-sheet. Otherwise I won”t be able to cover for you."

　　神光日夜趕路，急追達摩，追到嵩山，遠見達摩祖師面壁而坐。他欣喜若狂，急忙來到達摩祖師面前，恭恭敬敬地頂禮，忏悔地說：「請和尚慈悲，寬恕弟子魯莽，不知和尚是證果聖人，多所冒犯，請和尚賜我了生死之法。」

　　Master Shenguang lost no time in pursuing Patriarch Bodhidharma, travelling by day and by night. He finally reached Sung Mountain and, looking from a distance, saw the Patriarch sitting in meditation facing a wall. Overwhelmed with joy, he rushed up to Patriarch Bodhidharma and bowed with deep reverence. He repented humbly, "Venerable One, please be compassionate and forgive your brash disciple. I didn”t know you were a sage who has realized the fruition of the Path. Your disciple made a mistake. Won”t you please confer on me the method for resolving the matter of birth and death

　　"

　　達摩回頭一看，沒有說話，繼續打坐。神光跪在達摩面前不起來，一跪就是九年。

　　Patriarch Bodhidharma turned his head around to look at him, then resumed his meditation without saying a single word. Master Shenguang knelt before Patriarch Bodhidharma and did not rise. Thus he knelt for nine years.

　　我們參禅打坐，坐不到兩小時，腰也酸了，腿也疼了，就受不了。或者打吃飯的妄想，或者打喝蜜水的妄想。總而言之，心猿意馬，控製不住，時時刻刻想往外跑。神光法師爲法忘軀的求法精神，一跪就是九年，我們現在誰能跪九個小時，恐怕辦不到！

　　Now as we meditate here, investigating Chan, our backs get sore and our legs start to hurt, and we feel we can”t take it after only two hours have passed. We may indulge in idle thoughts of food, or something sweet to drink. To sum it up, we can”t control the monkey-like thoughts or the "wild stallion of the mind." We”d like nothing better than to jump up and run out the door. Dharma Master Shenguang”s sincere request for Dharma led him to forget himself in that search and inspired him to kneel for nine years. I doubt that any of you could kneel for even nine hours, much less nine years.

　　有一天，天降大雪，神光仍然跪在達摩面前，雪厚約有兩尺之深。此時，達摩擡頭一見，深受神光這種求法的精神所感動，便問：「你跪在這裏做什麼？」

　　One day after heavy snow fell two feet deep, Master Shenguang was kneeling as usual in front of Patriarch Bodhidharma. The Patriarch looked up at him, and, impressed by his sincerity in seeking the Dharma, asked him, "What…

《菩提達摩祖師來中國 The Patriarch Bodhidharmas Advent in China》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…