緣起與性空
林鈺堂
緣起與性空是真理之兩面，互為成立之理。緣起指一切皆因緣合成所現，因此無絕對不變之自性─此即性空，即無我。性空指無絕對獨立而不受因緣變遷影響者，故謂無我；正因無此能絕對自主之我，故一切皆緣起之現象。在實修上，則以去執，修習無我性空，以容忍、服務實現緣起之可塑性，而自他並利。由於一切無我，故一切為無限之一體；體會一體，則惟有依因緣法則為同體眾生服務，而以喚醒同體大愛、共享覺後之奉獻生涯為終極目標。
一九九六年七月三日
應許春梅之請 而作
Dependent Origination and Emptiness
Dr. Yutang Lin
Translated from Chinese by Stanley Lam
Dependent Origination and Emptiness are the two sides of truth and are mutually supporting principles. Dependent Origination means, since every phenomenon is the result of a combination of conditions, there is no immutable inherent existence — this is the meaning of Emptiness and no self. Emptiness means, nothing is absolutely independent without being affected by changes in causes and conditions, hence there is no self. It is just because the self that is in absolute control does not exist that all phenomena are of Dependent Origination. In solid practice, Emptiness is realized through removal of attachment, whereas the adaptability of Dependent Origination is realized through tolerance and service, thereby both oneself and others are benefited. Since there is no self, all are in Limitless-Oneness. Once such oneness is realized, a practitioner would voluntarily serve sentient beings of the same entity in accordance with the principles of causes and conditions, and work toward the ultimate goal of awakening the great compassionate love of the same entity and sharing the joy of an enlightened life devoted to Dharma services.
July 3, 1996
Written upon request from Xu Chun-Mei
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to the English translations:
In the translation above the common translation of Emptiness for Sunyata is retained to facilitate readers who are familiar with that usage. I have given reasons in my work Wisdom and Compassion in Limitless-Oneness for the usage of Blank Essence for Sunyata. Hence, in the translation below changes are made just to reflect this change.
Dependent Origination and Emptiness
Dr. Yutang Lin
Translated from Chinese by Stanley Lam
Dependent Origination and Blank Essence are the two sides of truth and are mutually supporting principles. Dependent Origination means, since every phenomenon is the result of a combination of conditions, there is no immutable inherent existence — this is the meaning of Blank Essence and no self. Blank Essence means, nothing is absolutely independent without being affected by changes in causes and conditions, hence there is no self. It is just because the self that is in absolute control does not exist that all phenomena are of Dependent Origination. In solid practice, Blank Essence is realized through removal of attachment, whereas the adaptability of Dependent Origination is realized through tolerance and service, thereby both oneself and others are benefited. Since there is no self, all are in Limitless-Oneness. Once such oneness is realized, a practitioner would voluntarily serve sentient beings of the same entity in accordance with the principles of causes and conditions, and work toward the ultimate goal of awakening the great compassionate love of the same entity and sharing the joy of an enlightened life devoted to Dharma servicess.
July 3, 1996
Written upon request from Xu Chun-Mei
[Home][Back
to list][Dependent Origination and Emptiness]