Taking the Imperial Examination to Become a Top Scholar

　　在這兒考狀元

　　We should not leave the meditation topic (huatou) of “Who is mindful of the Buddha” whether we are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down. We should constantly wield the vajra sword to cut off the seven types of emotions, the six desires, as well as our bad habits. When we get rid of our bad habits, our original nature will manifest and Bodhi can be achieved. In our cultivation, we need to face true reality and overcome all circumstances. Although this is difficult, it is the beginning of happiness. A saying goes: “To endure suffering is to end suffering; to enjoy our blessings is to use them up.” Now we are taking the imperial examination to become top scholars. If you do not pass the exams, how would you know you are a top scholar

　　 Therefore, in cultivation, one needs to do things in reverse. Normally people walk with their heads upright, but when you cultivate you should do the reverse. Everybody fears pain. However, a cultivator should endure a little suffering. Another saying goes: “To endure pain is to end pain; to endure suffering is to end suffering.” If it is something that one must go through, then, one should pay off his debts. An average cultivator might say, “It is not right to go through suffering.” We should see from which vantage point this person is making this statement. If he himself refuses to suffer, then, of course he will say it is not right to suffer. But for a person who is willing to endure suffering, then enduring suffering is the right thing to do. Why is that so

　　 Because this person is willing to undergo suffering. Therefore, we should know who is making the statement and not apply it to everyone.

　　你行住坐臥都不離「念佛是誰」，金剛智慧劍就會常常舉起來，斬斷一切七情六欲、習氣毛病。習氣毛病一去，我們本性就現前；本性現前，菩提道果就成了。在修道的期間，我們要面對現實，克服一切的環境。這個雖然辛苦，卻是一個快樂的開始；所以「受苦了苦，享福消福」。現在也是在考狀元，你不經過考，怎麼知道你是狀元呢？修道要倒過來。人是頭沖上走路，你修道應該頭沖下走路；人人都不願意痛，修道的人應該受一點痛苦，所以說：「受痛是了痛，受苦是了苦。」應該受的一定要受，不要抗債不還。一般修行人說：「受苦是不對的。」這要看在誰的立場說。在他的立場說當然就是不對的，爲什麼呢？他不願意受苦嘛！但是在願意受苦的人的來說就是對的，因爲什麼呢？他願意受苦嘛！所以這個理論是看哪一個講的，不能一概而論。