..续本文上一页nibbāna have disappeared, where have they disappeared

　　 -- aside from disappearing from those who aren”t interested in the practice. Even in the time of the Buddha, these things didn”t exist for those who weren”t interested. But they did exist for those who were interested and practised in line with the principles the Buddha taught.

　　The same holds true for the present. The middle way is always right in the centre of the truth, right on-target, always appropriate for removing defilements. No matter which defilement, no matter what sort, it can never escape the power of this middle way. This is why this way is a Dhamma absolutely right for removing the defilements of the beings of the world. It”s called the middle way. The middle way now and the middle way of the Buddha”s time -- how can they differ

　　 There”s no difference between them at all, because they”re the same well-taught Dhamma. The defilements are the same now as they were then. The middle way, the tool for removing them, is the same now as it was then. When we use it to eliminate the defilements, how can they not fall away

　　 The power of our correct practice in line with the principles of the middle way will have to give the same results now as it gave then.

　　But the paths, fruitions, and nibbāna don”t exist for those who don”t practise, no matter what the time or era. They exist only for those who practise, and they appear in greater or lesser meas- ure in line with the strength of each inpidual”s practice. That”s all there is to it.

　　This is called the well-taught Dhamma, the Dhamma that leads those who practice it away from suffering and discontent, step by step, until they are absolutely released. There is nothing to surpass the Dhamma of the Buddha in completely removing defilements from the heart. This is why we can be confident in our practice.

　　There is no one in the world who can speak more correctly and accurately than a teacher with no more defilements, a teacher who speaks entirely from the truth. The Buddha never spoke dishonestly or deceptively in the way of the world, for things like deception are an affair of defilements. The Dhamma is something that has to be spoken forthrightly, straightforwardly, in line with the truth. When people practice in line with the truth, how will they not know the truth

　　 They have to know. This is where the greatness lies. It doesn”t lie anywhere else. So don”t go doubting and groping around like blind people oblivious to the Dhamma, the Buddha”s representative, filling our nation.

　　In conclusion, I ask that you all take this and think it over. If anything I have said here is too hard-hitting for your ears or hearts, I ask your forgiveness, because today”s Dhamma has been ”Forest Dhamma” [*]. I hope it will be at least of some use to you all.

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　　[*] Dhamma learned from the practice, rather than from the study of books.

《Tranquillity and Insight》全文阅读结束。