..續本文上一頁 those are methods for counteracting your false thoughts. If you can use them, then those kinds of false thoughts can lead to the truth. But if you can”t use them, then those kinds of false thoughts turn into falseness. If you can use the Dharma--if you can develop your skill--then it is true, true, true--all of it is true. If you aren”t able to develop your skill, then it is false, false, false--all of it turns into falseness. And so it remains to be seen to what level you are able to develop your skill. If you always hold aloft the regal jeweled Vajra sword to illuminate everything that is empty and false, then what is empty and false will vanish. It will disappear.

　　Time passes in the blink of an eye. Those who have had some response from their work should not be pleased with themselves; those who haven”t had any response should not be distressed. You should continue to work hard. You now know the method used in investigating Chan meditation. And so you can continue to work at your cultivation even at home. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, you can investigate this meditation topic until you awaken to its meaning. As long as you maintain the investigation, it is for certain that one day you will become enlightened. By being single-minded in your work, you will be successful. If you are not single-minded, then even if Shakyamuni Buddha himself appeared before you, you still wouldn”t be able to become enlightened. Why

　　 It is because you don”t have your mind on what you are doing, and so you cannot become accomplished in your skill.

　　This year”s Chan meditation session has been a good one--out of so many people, very few have been lax. Although sometimes after lunch you wasted a little time, it”s not fair to expect too much. In this country, we are breaking new ground that has never been planted before. In order to plant Buddhism here, the breaking of new ground must be done little by little. That is why I haven”t said anything about certain bending of the rules. Every year things get a little stricter--you already realize that. Last year was not as strict as this year, right

　　 Or have you forgotten

　　 I know that last year was not as intense as this year. This year some of you have had some accomplishment. Several people obtained some advantages. But if you ask if these were major awakenings--no, they were minor ones. And if you ask who had them, then it”s obvious you weren”t one who did! If you ask, then it wasn”t you. If you don”t ask, then perhaps you had a share. At least in the future you all can have a share, so don”t be nervous.

　　In developing your skill, whether you have a response or not is just like when you drink water only you know whether the water is warm or cold: it is something you yourself know; others may not know. This year”s Chan meditation session is over; in the future if you have chance to attend another Chan meditation session, you should be especially intense and not let even a second go by in vain. Work well in developing your skill to find out what your original face is--the one you had before your parents give birth to you.

　　你會用這個法、會用功，真、真、真，都真了；你若不會用功，就妄、妄、妄，都變成妄了。

　　If you can develop your skill--then it is true, true, true--all of it is true.If you aren”t able to develop your skill, then it is false, false, false--all of it turns into falseness.

《老實修行 Cultivate honestly》全文閱讀結束。