謹慎

　　Be Vigilant

　　在密宗修法裏，恭敬上師，對上師有信心是十分重要的。

　　In Vajrayana practice, it is of utmost importance to respect and have faith in our masters.

　　第八世噶mb(1507-1554)是藏地政教合一的大領袖，也是修行圓滿的大上師。他曾說道：“不管什麼樣的上師，即使沒有信心，也不要觀他的過失，更不能說他的過失。如果別人說的時候，也最好不要聽。即使聽了也不要認爲是真實的，哪怕真是這樣，也要想這是上師的密意。並且隨喜上師的一切所作所爲，增上信心。”又說：“平時應觀察自己的相續，若無悲心和證悟空性的見解，即使是上師要求自己造惡業等非法行，如果暫時放棄，也未違背上師教言。一些人說只要依止一位上師即可，不需其他任何上師，這種說法是被著魔的顛倒非理所染汙的表現。曆史證明，無數的大德依靠多位善知識，以種種供養、承侍、積資的方式而成就。此種事例不勝枚舉。”

　　H.H. the 8th Karmapa, a great leader in Tibet”s religious government and an accomplished master of the Great Perfection, says: “No matter what kind of teacher you may have, do not find fault with him even if you lack faith, and especially do not criticize his fault. If someone is talking about such things, it”s best to avoid listening. If you happen to hear it, do not take it as true. Even if it were true, you should regard it as having secret meaning; rejoice in all your teacher”s activities and strengthen your faith.” And again: “Examine your own mind all the time. Until compassion has arisen in you and you have established a view on emptiness, you may temporarily forgo your teacher”s instructions should they involve performing harmful or negative activities. You do not violate his teaching at this stage. To say that relying only on one master is sufficient and that there is no need for other teachers is incorrect; it is a mark of having been contaminated by negative forces. In past history, it is evident that great masters have relied on more than just one teacher. By making multitudes of offerings, servicing the teachers, and accumulating merit, they attained accomplishment. There are numerous examples like this.”

　　薩迦班智達也說：“如果沒有依照佛法，即使上師的話也可以不予理睬。”宗喀巴大師在《事師五十頌釋》中也有類似說法。

　　Sakya Pandita says: “Any instruction that is not in accordance with the Buddha”s teaching, even if it comes from your teacher, can be ignored.” A similar passage can be found in the Explanation on the 50 Rules to Serve the Teacher by Master Tsongkhapa.

　　不過我們也應提醒自己，上師的密意無法揣測，所做之事是造惡業還是利衆實在難以斷定。認真思維，方可抉擇。千萬不要輕易舍棄上師，因爲上師是嚴厲對境的緣故。舍棄上師，必然遭致金剛地獄的嚴懲。謹慎爲妙啊！

　　Nevertheless, we should remind ourselves that we could never fathom a teacher”s realization. Only after thorough examination can we establish if his particular activity is harmful or beneficial to sentient beings. By all means, never leave your teacher too hastily, because the teacher, as the support of all our activities, carries grave weight. The repercussion of abandoning a master is the inevitable rebirth to the most horrific vajra hells. It”s best to exercise vigilance!

　　壬午年四月十一日 　

　　2002年5月22日

　　11th of April, Year of RenWu

　　May 22, 2002