You can also investigate “who

　　”

　　参「谁」也可以

　　Q: Master, you teach us that in investigating, “Who is mindful of the Buddha

　　” we should keep on investigating the “who

　　” However, when I am reciting the word “who,” I am not able to give rise to the subsequent thought: “Who is mindful of the Buddha

　　”

　　A: If you cannot be mindful of the entire phrase, it is all right to just investigate the word “who

　　” You can investigate “who

　　” for as long as you like. When you focus on “who

　　” no other false thoughts will exist in your mind. When others investigate, “Who is mindful of the Buddha

　　” they can investigate the word “who

　　” alone for hours. As long as you keep the thought “who

　　” going without interruption, it is perfectly fine.

　　Q: Sometimes, I do not seem to be able to find the door. I don”t know how to get out.

　　A: Do not panic. Take your time. You will eventually find it.

　　Q: When cultivating the Way, I sometimes advance but sometimes I retreat. Till now I feel very unstable and confused.

　　A: If you had been stable all the time, you would have become a Buddha already.

　　问：师父教我们参「念佛是谁」要一直去参「谁」字，可是我在念「谁」，第二个「念佛是谁」的话头就提不起来了。

　　答：你要是提不起来，单单就参一个「谁」也可以，这个「谁」参多久的时间都可以。你有「谁」在这儿，什么妄念都没有了。人家参「念佛是谁」就这一个「谁

　　」可以参几个钟头，你要能接接连连不断的参都可以的。

　　问：有时候我好像找不到门，不知道怎么出去？

　　答：不要着急，慢慢找，慢慢就会找到了。

　　问：修道有时候进步，有时候退步，到现在还是不稳定、很迷糊。

　　答：你要是都稳定，那不早就成佛了嘛！