師教

　　Teacher”s Advice

　　佛教徒常常以“依法不依人”來否定別人的見解，但在上師的問題上卻應另當別論。

　　While trying to refute another”s viewpoint, some Buddhists often put forth the quote: “Do not rely upon the person, but upon the Dharma.” But when the issue is that of spiritual teachers, there is an exception to the rule.

　　學習世間的學問，尚需要對師長的恭敬仰慕之情。修行想得成就，則完全仰仗對上師的恭敬心。記得阿難曾說過：弟子的成就絕大部分依靠上師。世尊糾正道：弟子的成就完全依靠上師。顯宗尚有此言，更何況密法？

　　In acquiring worldly education, students are expected to have respect and trust toward their teachers. In spiritual practice, moreover, accomplishment is totally dependent upon students” faith and devotion toward their masters. Ananda once said: “A disciple”s attainment is mostly dependent on his spiritual teacher.” The Buddha was quick to correct him: “A disciple”s accomplishment is entirely dependent on his spiritual teacher.” If such a principle applies to the Sutrayana, what needs to be said of the secret Mantrayana

　　八世噶mb不動金剛曾說過：即使上師令你去殺父親，你也應遵照執行。紅帽法王也說過：上師將帽子說成是鞋子，或者將鞋子說成是帽子，你也應當謹聽遵命。這是對修習密法的人的基本要求。所謂根器差別，全在弟子的信心，上等根器也就是上等信心；中等根器也就是中等信心；下等根器也就是下等信心，這是一條顛撲不破的真理。如果能從心底裏視師爲佛，那他與成就也僅一步之遙。

　　The Eighth Gyalwa Karmapa Mikyö Dorje says: “Even if your guru orders you to kill your father, you should follow his instruction to the letter.” Shamarpa, Holder of the Red Crown, also teaches: “Even if your guru calls a hat a shoe, or a shoe a hat, you should still take his word.” This kind of attitude is the basic prerequisite for anyone who seeks the secret Mantrayana. What sets disciples apart is nothing but the strength of their devotion. High acumen means immense devotion; mediocre ability equates to moderate devotion. Inferior capability comes from little devotion. This is an incontrovertible truism. If a person regards his teacher as a real Buddha from the bottom of his heart, then accomplishment for this person is merely one step away.

　　當帝洛巴強迫那若巴從樓上跳下時；當瑪爾巴命令米拉日巴背石造房時，正是因爲對上師堅定不移的無僞信心，才使那若巴和米拉日巴毫不猶豫地謹遵師教，瞬間圓滿了無數資糧，造就了兩代空前絕後的宗師，也爲我們後人留下了在尊師重教方面彌足珍貴的行爲榜樣。

　　Milarepa and Naropa followed instructions from their gurus without the slightest hesitation: Naropa jumped from high towers when forced by Tilopa, and Milarepa hauled boulders to build houses when ordered by Marpa. They did so out of unshakable devotion to their gurus and as a result were able to accumulate innumerable merit in an instant, and went on to become the two unsurpassable masters in history. They have left us the best examples of how to follow a spiritual teacher.

　　不論你是修學哪一個宗派，如果違背師教，自救尚不可能，又怎麼能言及其他呢？

　　In any lineage practice, whenever a breach is made against the teacher, not even self-liberation is possible. If this is the case, how can any other achievement be bragged about

　　壬午年五月二十九日　

　　2002年7月9日　

　　29th of May, Year of RenWu

　　July 9, 2002