The Seventy-Ninth Letter 第七十九封
| 2022-10-21 | Download | AI assisted translation
| 第七十九封 |
Letter Seventy-Nine |
| 恭敬顶礼师尊： |
With reverence, I prostrate before the Revered Master: |
| 顶礼佛，顶礼法，顶礼僧。 |
I prostrate before the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha. |
| “纵横无碍，顺逆无拘”必须了无挂碍。“无挂碍故，无有恐怖，远离颠倒梦想，究竟涅槃。” 师尊告诉弟子：“妥嘎”法必须专修。问弟子能否不上班，闭关专修？弟子却以“因缘尚不成熟”作答，挂碍已炽然可见。 |
“Unobstructed in every direction, unbound by favorable or adverse circumstances” requires complete freedom from hindrance. “Because there is no hindrance, there is no fear; one is far removed from inverted views and dreamlike thoughts, and ultimately attains nirvāṇa.” The Revered Master has told this disciple that the practice of Tögal must be cultivated exclusively. When asked whether this disciple could leave work and enter retreat for exclusive practice, this disciple replied that “the causes and conditions are not yet ripe,” plainly revealing blazing hindrances. |
| 弟子明知如此，却不能毅然上路，足见弟子“其力未充”。 弟子曾问师尊“传教灌顶”之事。倘哪位师兄受了传教灌顶，弟子当尽力护持他，象尊重师尊那样尊重他。若他处于“十年猎人队”阶段，就更须要护持。 |
Although this disciple knows this clearly, he still cannot resolutely set out on the path. This shows that “his strength is not yet sufficient.” This disciple once asked the Revered Master about “empowerment to transmit the teachings.” If any Dharma brother receives such empowerment, this disciple will do his utmost to support him and respect him as he respects the Revered Master. If he is at the stage of the “ten-year hunter’s team,” he will need even more support. |
| 为使心中心法系慧命不断，为使印心宗传灯有继，弟子已发此心。若有此事，望师尊及时告知。【现在尚在遴选中，未曾确定。因此人须才德具备，又须彻悟心源，精通教理，不是少福德的人，可以担当的。 |
This disciple has made this resolve so that the wisdom-life of the Heart-of-Heart Dharma lineage may not be cut off, and so that the lamp of transmission in the Mind-Seal school may have successors. Should this come about, I hope the Revered Master will inform this disciple promptly. [At present, candidates are still being selected; no decision has yet been made. Such a person must possess both ability and virtue, must thoroughly awaken to the source of mind, and must be deeply versed in doctrine. This is not a responsibility that someone of little merit and virtue can undertake.] |
| 】弟子双跏，不耐时长，这腿时常造成干扰，请问师尊可有“修腿”之法？有四句偈，请师尊评判：明心虚妄不可得，【真明了妄即真，真即妄，真妄皆不可得。】见性唯此一真实。【真是无所见，而无所不见。 |
When this disciple sits in the full lotus posture, he cannot endure it for long; his legs often cause interference. May I ask whether the Revered Master has any method for “training the legs”? There is a four-line verse; I ask the Revered Master to evaluate it: “Upon realizing the mind, delusions cannot be obtained. [When true realization is attained, delusion is itself true; truth is itself delusion; neither truth nor delusion can be obtained.] Seeing one’s nature, this alone is real. [The true is that which is not seen, yet there is nothing it does not see.] Awakening is a dharma produced by causes and conditions. [This line contains the gravest error. In awakening, not a single dharma is established—what causes and conditions could there be? Still less could there be any dharma that is produced?!] One realizes the Way when karma is exhausted and emotional attachment emptied. [The last line is somewhat better.] [When writing verses of this kind, it is best to state the ultimate truth directly rather than recounting a process.] |
| 】开悟因缘所生法，【这句毛病最大。开悟一法不立，哪有什么因缘？更哪有什么所生法？！】成道业尽情空时。【末句还较些子。】【写这类偈颂，以直叙究竟为宜，不要叙说过程。 |
May the Revered Master please write out the “Fundamental True Mantra of Maitreya Bodhisattva” so that I may compare it with the recording and study it. Thereafter, this disciple will recite it forty-nine times daily as a regular practice. [Mantra omitted.] I also ask that you write out the Medicine Buddha mantra. [Mantra omitted.] Is the Revered Master experiencing little illness and affliction, and practicing at ease? When liberating sentient beings, are they readily liberated? Does this not tire the Revered Master? |
| 】请师尊将“弥勒菩萨根本真言”抄写出来，以便与录音对照学习。此后，弟子每日持诵49遍，作为常课。【咒略。】还请抄药师佛咒。【咒略。】师尊少病少恼安乐行否？当度众生受度易否？不令师尊生疲倦耶？ |
This disciple, Zhiming, prostrates. |
| 弟子志明顶礼 |
September 19, 1993 |
| 1993年9月19 日 |
[Yongshou Tongzi] Questions concerning Dharma-lineage transmission have always been highly sensitive and much disputed. How should a student approach this matter in a manner that is proper and within one’s place? |
| 【永寿童子】法脉传承问题，从来最为敏感，争议也多。对于这个问题，学人应如何对待，才是得体安分的态度？ |
[LVM] If others are sensitive about it, pay them no heed; if others dispute it, do not get involved. Regarding Dharma-lineage transmission, while the Elder was alive he said, “Do not establish a successor; one who has the Way will naturally propagate it.” The words “Do not establish a successor” sweep away all sensitivity and dispute. The Elder truly was a great master of broad vision! The words “one who has the Way will naturally propagate it” clearly mean “rely on the Dharma, not on persons.” Students have their own discernment: rely on the Dharma, not on persons. This is both proper and within one’s place. |
| 【LVM】别人敏感你别理会，别人争议你别介入。法脉传承问题，老人在世时有话“不立传人，有道自弘”。不立传人一句，扫荡了所有的敏感和争议，老人真是大手笔宗师！有道自弘一句，分明是“依法不依人”的意思嘛。学人自有学人眼，依法不依人，既得体，又安分。 |
【LVM】If others are sensitive about something, do not concern yourself with it; if others dispute it, do not get involved. Regarding the transmission of the Dharma lineage, the Elder once said while he was alive, “Appoint no successor; where there is the Way, it will spread of itself.” The words “appoint no successor” sweep away all sensitivity and controversy. The Elder truly was a master of great stature! The words “where there is the Way, it will spread of itself” clearly mean “rely on the Dharma, not on persons.” Practitioners have their own discernment. Relying on the Dharma rather than on persons is both appropriate and within one’s proper bounds. |
