..續本文上一頁dhas. It is better to feed one who is above knowledge, one-sidedness, discipline, and enlightenment than to feed one hundred billions of Buddhas of the past, present, or future.

　　12. The Buddha said, "There are twenty difficult things to attain in this world:

　　1. It is hard for the poor to practice charity.

　　2. It is hard for the strong and rich to observe the Way.

　　3. It is hard to disregard life and go to certain death.

　　4. It is only a favoured few that get acquainted with a Buddhist sutra.

　　5. It is hard to be born in the age of the Buddha.

　　6. It is hard to conquer the passions, to suppress selfish desires.

　　7. It is hard not to hanker after that which is agreeable.

　　8. It is hard not to get into a passion when slighted.

　　9. It is hard not to abuse one”s authority.

　　10. It is hard to be even-minded and simple hearted in all one”s dealings with others.

　　11. It is hard to be thorough in learning and exhaustive in investigation.

　　12. It is hard to subdue selfish pride.

　　13. It is hard not to feel contempt toward the unlearned.

　　14. It is hard to be one in knowledge and practice.

　　15. It is hard not to express an opinion about others.

　　16. It is by rare opportunity that one is introduced to a true spiritual teacher.

　　17. It is hard to gain an insight into the nature of being and to practice the Way.

　　18. It is hard to follow the way of a saviour.

　　19. It is hard to be always the master of oneself.

　　20. It is hard to understand thoroughly the Ways of Buddha."

　　13. A monk asked the Buddha, "Under what conditions is it possible to come to the knowledge of the past and to understand the most supreme Way

　　" The Buddha answered, "Those who are pure in heart and single in purpose are able to understand the most supreme Way. It is like polishing a mirror, which becomes bright when the dust is removed. Remove your passions, and have no hankering, and the past will be revealed to you."

　　14. A monk asked the Buddha, "What is good, and what is great

　　" The Buddha replied, "Good is to practice the Way and to follow the truth. Great is the heart that is in accord with the Way."

　　15. A monk asked the Buddha, "What is most powerful, and what is most illuminating

　　" The Buddha replied, "Meekness is most powerful, for it harbours no evil thoughts, and, moreover, it is restful and full of strength. as it is free from evils, it is sure to be honoured by all.

　　The most illuminating is a mind that is thoroughly cleansed of dirt, and which, remaining pure, retains no blemishes. From the time when there was yet no heaven and earth till the present day, there is nothing in the ten quarters which is not seen, or known, or heard by such a mind, for it has gained all-knowledge, and for that reason it is called ”illuminating”."

　　16. The Buddha said, "Those who have passions are never able to preceive the Way; for it is like stirring up clear water with hands; people may come there wishing to find a reflection of their faces, which, however, they will never see. A mind troubled and vexed with the passions is impure, and on that account it never sees the Way. O monks, do away with passions. When the dirt of passion is removed the Way will manifest itself."

　　17. The Buddha said, "Seeing the Way is like going into a dark room with a torch; the darkness instantly departs, while the light alone remains. When the Way is attained and the truth is seen, ignorance vanishes and enlightenment abides forever."

　　18. The Buddha said, "My doctrine is to think the thought that is unthinkable, to practise the deed that is non-doing, to speak the speech that is inexpressible, and to be trained in the discipline that is deyond discipline. Those who understand this are near, those who are confused are far. The Way is beyond words and expressions, is boun…

《四十二章經 The Sayings of the Buddha in Forty-Two Sections by Kasyapa Matanga and》全文未完，請進入下頁繼續閱讀…