關鍵

　　Key Points

　　很多人在修法時不想修或修不起，問題的關鍵在于對世法放不下。禅宗也講看破紅塵，看破了，成就也就是輕而易舉的事。

　　When it comes to practicing Dharma, many people either lack enthusiasm or run out of steam. Such obstacles occur because of their inability to relinquish mundane concerns. Zen Buddhism also stresses giving up earthly affairs, as disenchantment to the world arises, accomplishment is reached with ease.

　　博朵瓦格西說：如果貪執今生的世間法，雖然一開始覺得放松，其實卻會被束縛得很緊。修行人應當以智慧之劍斬斷貪執今生的念頭。斷除今生世間法是最好的教言。現在的一些大修行人，整天談論風脈明點及其他大法，真正分析觀察後看破世間的卻很少。口頭說一些一兩天不能修成的大法毫無利益，不如好好滅除貪世之念。如同即將餓死的人，即使讓他看著堆積如山的金銀財寶也無濟于事一樣。

　　Geshe Potowa says: “Clinging to mundane affairs of this life may seem comforting in the beginning, but eventually it will become a tight binding rope. A spiritual seeker should cut off attachment to this life with the sword of wisdom; the teaching that teaches you to do so is the best one.” Nowadays, some famous practitioners may talk days on end about prana wind, bindo, or other high trainings, but due to a lack of contemplation and analysis, they scarcely renounce the secular world. Talking about lofty and impractical practices makes no sense; it is better to work sincerely to eradicate clinging to this world. To a person on the brink of dying from hunger, merely showing him piles of gold, silver, and other treasures is of no avail in saving him. It”s the same case here.

　　不管修什麼法，關鍵在于要懂得訣竅。否則，一味地護持親友、對付怨敵、積累財産算不上什麼智慧。博朵瓦格西又說：聞思再好，不懂得修行教言的人，與傍生沒有什麼區別。傍生在盤算生計方面，完全可以與人類一較短長。沙蜥蜴爲了對付蛇，懂得設計去反咬蛇的身體；烏鴉與猴子也知道互相報仇雪恥；老鼠在積累財産方面的本領，即使世間的守財奴，也不得不甘拜下風；很多動物都精通于撫養自己的子女。作爲人，我們又怎能甘願讓自己與旁生不分高低呢？所以，大家應當懂得修行的秘訣。

　　The crucial point in doing any practice is to grasp its essence. On the other hand, devoting all one”s energy to favoring friends and relatives, to overcoming enemies, or to amassing wealth, is not a bit of wisdom. Geshe Potowa also says: “One who does not put the teaching into actual practice is not different from animals, no matter how well this person might have done in study and reflection.” In terms of survival, animals possess skills rivaling those of humans. To deal with snakes, the sand lizard is capable of plotting to bite back at the snake; crows and monkeys also know how to take revenge for insults among themselves. Compared to the skill of mice in amassing possessions, even the scrooges among humans have to take a back seat; many animals are very adept in raising their offspring. Born as human beings, how can we be willing to equate ourselves to animals

　　 Therefore, we should know the keys to practice.

　　開創淨土宗發祥地——東林寺的慧遠法師，就可譽爲舍棄世間瑣事之楷模。當一方霸主桓玄欲勸其還俗做官，“迷而知返”，享受榮華富貴之際，禅師回書曰：“一世之榮，劇若電光，聚散致離，何足貪哉！淺見之徒，何其惑哉！可謂下士聞道，大而笑之，真可謂迷而不返也。”其不畏強勢、淡泊名利之高尚氣節，真是令人可贊可歎！

　　Reverent Master Hui Yuan of Dong Lin Temple, one of the main seats of the Pure Land School, served well as the model of abandoning worldly trifles. A powerful chief Huan Xuan tried to persuade him to give up ordination and advised that he should “realize one”s mistakes and mend one”s ways.” When being enticed with a high government position and the pleasure of fame and wealth, the Zen master wrote to reply: “The glory of this life flashes like lightning, whatever comes together is bound to depart. Are these things worth chasing after

　　 How confused are men of shortsightedness! When these people of lesser acumen hear Dharma teachings, they can only respond with silly laughs. This is exactly the case of “not realizing the mistakes nor mending the ways”.” His noble integrity—neither yielding to powerful forces nor caring about prestige and money—is really amazing. It deserves our highest respect!

　　只可惜世上的聰明人太多，但真正對佛法進行實修的人卻微乎其微。

　　Alas, this world is filled with too many smart alecks but way too few genuine practitioners of the Buddhadharma!

　　壬午年正月二十九日　

　　2002年3月12日 　

　　29th of January, Year of RenWu

　　March 12, 2002