修行

　　ON CULTIVATION

　　文 真如弗 by Jennifer Lin

　　What is cultivation

　　Cultivation is to advance simultaneously in one”s understanding and practice.

　　It is the integration of one”s knowledge and practice.

　　Reciting Sutras and bowing to the Buddhas is cultivation.

　　Speaking Dharma and observing the precepts is cultivation.

　　Sweeping and cooking is also cultivation.

　　Even wearing clothes, eating, and sleeping are all cultivation.

　　什么是修行？

　　修行就是行解并进，知行合一。

　　诵经礼佛——是修行。

　　讲法持戒——是修行。

　　扫地煮饭——亦是修行。

　　就是穿衣，吃饭，睡觉，也无一不是在修行。

　　What is meant by knowledge

　　 Whether the Buddhist scriptures were transmitted by mouth, as in ancient times, or written in words on paper, as today, people have always learned them through hearing or seeing them. This is what is commonly thought of as “knowledge.” Actually, these are only teachings that rely on language and speech. There is also the wordless teaching of “teaching by doing,” and the soundless teaching of experience. These are known as “practice.” Through the teaching afforded by the conduct of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Patriarchs, we may extend our knowledge. Then, through our own practice and experience, we can go a step further and verify our (theoretical) knowledge. Hence while knowledge and practice appear to be different, they are actually inseparable. If you know but don”t practice, it becomes empty theory. If you practice without knowing, you are acting in blind confusion. The function of knowledge is to enable one”s to practice, and the function of practice is to verify one”s knowlege. As to the external appearance, it is because of knowledge that we can practice, and because of practice that our knowledge can expand. In terms of the essence, knowledge is just practice, and practice is just knowledge. The two are one and the same, inpisible.

　　怎么是知？三藏十二部，从古代的口耳相传，莲偈贝书，以迄现今白纸黑字，总不外是经由视听以进入心识，这是一般人所认同的「知」；其时那只是言字教或言教，尚有一种是无言的身教和无声的体验，那也就是所谓的「行」。佛菩萨和祖师大德们以其身教，让我们致知；而我们又从身体力行的经验中，进一步证知。所以「知」「行」看似两样，其实不分。知者不行，流于空谈虚论；行而不知，谓之愚昧盲从。就其用功，知为能行，行为证知；就其表相，因知而行，因行致知；就其本体，知即是行，行即是知。二而为一，不可划分。

　　For this reason, reciting Sutras and bowing to the Buddhas is cultivation; speaking Dharma and observing the precepts is cultivation; and sweeping and cooking is also cultivation. Even wearing clothes, eating, and sleeping are all cultivation. Some people worry that because of their work, they won”t have time to cultivate. Others fear that teaching in school will hinder their cultivation. Such people have distorted and misunderstood the true meaning of cultivation. As it”s said, “Purify your own mind. This is the teaching of all Buddhas.” In our daily life, from the external to the internal aspects, from the general to the particular, from the small to large--whetherwe are eating, drinking, relieving ourselves, sleeping, studying, working, or doing public service--as long as our mind is completely focused on what we are doing right at that moment, we can be said to have achieved “skill.” If we can be that way every day, practicing it over a long period of time, that is “progress.” “Skillful progress” or vigorous effort is what we need in cultivation. The “skill” is our knowledge, and the “progress” is what we have to achieve in practice. The “progress” comes from what we already know, and the “skill” is what we must practice. For example, when we are getting dressed or eating, we should not be greedy or scattered, but should vow that we and all living beings obtain the clothing of gentleness and patience, and take the bliss of Dhyana as food. That is cultivation. When we are studying or teaching, if we avoid thoughts of anger and laxness, and vow that we and all living beings will develop great wisdom and derive great benefit from the Dharma, that is also cultivation. In making friends and doing business, if we avoid foolish and delude…

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