..续本文上一页 sat facing a wall for nine years, contemplating the subtleties of Chan principles.
神光洋洋得意，以为自己是胜利者，不知达摩修忍辱波罗蜜行门。菩提达摩刚走，无常鬼就来了，对神光法师说：「你是神光吗？」
Meanwhile, Master Shenguang felt in rare high spirits, since he considered himself the victor. He had no idea that Patriarch Bodhidharma was cultivating the perfection of "patience under insult." As soon as Patriarch Bodhidharma departed, the Ghost of Impermanence arrived, and said to Master Shenguang, "Are you Shenguang
"
神光说：「我是神光，有什么事情？」
Master Shenguang replied, "That”s me. What”s up
"
无常鬼说：「我奉阎罗王的命令，请你去喝茶，谈谈你讲了多少经？念了多少经？还有多少经没有讲、没有念？」
The ghost answered, "I”m under orders from King Yama to invite you to a tea party. King Yama wants to discuss with you how many Sutras you have lectured on, how many you have recited, and how many Sutras you haven”t yet explained and recited."
神光一听，吓得魂飞九霄云外，知道寿命将终，乃恳求地问：「谁能了生死，不受阎王所管？」
At that, Master Shenguang was scared out of his wits; he knew he was at death”s door. He pleaded with the ghost, "Who can put an end to birth and death, and escape King Yama”s jurisdiction
"
无常鬼说：「就是刚才那个满脸大胡子，被你打掉两颗牙齿的黑和尚。」
The Ghost of Impermanence answered, "That bushy-bearded, dark-skinned monk whose two front teeth you just knocked out a moment ago." The answer sparked a feeling of deep regret in Master Shenguang, because he had lost his temper in ignorance and thereby driven away an enlightened sage.
神光一听，后悔自己不应该发无明火，将证果圣人打跑了。于是乎向无常鬼要求：「能不能让我去找那个和尚，学学了生死之法？」
He made a further request of the Ghost of Impermanence, "Would it be possible for me to go find that monk and learn how to put an end to birth and death
"
无常鬼同情地说：「可以！不过速去速回，我好交差，否则我担待不起。」
The Ghost of Impermanence answered sympathetically, "Very well, but do hurry a bit and get the business done and return so that I can turn in my duty-sheet. Otherwise I won”t be able to cover for you."
神光日夜赶路，急追达摩，追到嵩山，远见达摩祖师面壁而坐。他欣喜若狂，急忙来到达摩祖师面前，恭恭敬敬地顶礼，忏悔地说：「请和尚慈悲，宽恕弟子鲁莽，不知和尚是证果圣人，多所冒犯，请和尚赐我了生死之法。」
Master Shenguang lost no time in pursuing Patriarch Bodhidharma, travelling by day and by night. He finally reached Sung Mountain and, looking from a distance, saw the Patriarch sitting in meditation facing a wall. Overwhelmed with joy, he rushed up to Patriarch Bodhidharma and bowed with deep reverence. He repented humbly, "Venerable One, please be compassionate and forgive your brash disciple. I didn”t know you were a sage who has realized the fruition of the Path. Your disciple made a mistake. Won”t you please confer on me the method for resolving the matter of birth and death
"
达摩回头一看，没有说话，继续打坐。神光跪在达摩面前不起来，一跪就是九年。
Patriarch Bodhidharma turned his head around to look at him, then resumed his meditation without saying a single word. Master Shenguang knelt before Patriarch Bodhidharma and did not rise. Thus he knelt for nine years.
我们参禅打坐，坐不到两小时，腰也酸了，腿也疼了，就受不了。或者打吃饭的妄想，或者打喝蜜水的妄想。总而言之，心猿意马，控制不住，时时刻刻想往外跑。神光法师为法忘躯的求法精神，一跪就是九年，我们现在谁能跪九个小时，恐怕办不到！
Now as we meditate here, investigating Chan, our backs get sore and our legs start to hurt, and we feel we can”t take it after only two hours have passed. We may indulge in idle thoughts of food, or something sweet to drink. To sum it up, we can”t control the monkey-like thoughts or the "wild stallion of the mind." We”d like nothing better than to jump up and run out the door. Dharma Master Shenguang”s sincere request for Dharma led him to forget himself in that search and inspired him to kneel for nine years. I doubt that any of you could kneel for even nine hours, much less nine years.
有一天，天降大雪，神光仍然跪在达摩面前，雪厚约有两尺之深。此时，达摩抬头一见，深受神光这种求法的精神所感动，便问：「你跪在这里做什么？」
One day after heavy snow fell two feet deep, Master Shenguang was kneeling as usual in front of Patriarch Bodhidharma. The Patriarch looked up at him, and, impressed by his sincerity in seeking the Dharma, asked him, "What…
《菩提达摩祖师来中国 The Patriarch Bodhidharmas Advent in China》全文未完，请进入下页继续阅读…