依法自檢_Reflecting in Light of the Dharma

因緣流轉跡可循，四海準則靶不尋。
評點論斷誰勝任？依法自檢消執麇。

因緣流轉有跡可循，佛法之教示乃基於此等法則，因而具有「四海皆準」之真理性，並非針對任何特定人、事之評點。例如，教示「無執」，非用以批評他人執著，只是開示達到解脫之方針。若要評點論斷他人之是非善惡，又有誰是悉知悉見，至公至允，而堪承擔此任？修行者應瞭解上述，而只依佛法自檢言行，自淨心意，以消去種種執著之束縛。（「麇」字有兩義：群、束縛。此處兩義皆含。）如此修行，方契平實。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　一九九八年九月廿七日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　養和齋　　　　於加州

Reflecting in Light of the Dharma　Yutang Lin

The flow of causes and conditions leaves traces to follow;
Rules holding in all places do not aim at specific targets.
Who could qualify for judging and criticizing others?
Reflecting in light of the Dharma to discharge attachments.

Comments:

The flow of causes and conditions is traceable. Buddhist teachings are based on such rules, and hence possess universal validity but without aiming at criticizing any particular persons or events. For example, the teaching on "no grasping" is not to be employed for criticizing others as being stubborn, but simply to indicate the guiding principle leading to emancipation. If we were to criticize or judge others as right or wrong, good or evil, then who would be all knowing, all seeing, righteous and fair to qualify for such undertakings? A practitioner should understand the above, and reflect on ones own speeches and actions in light of the Dharma to purify the mind and discharge the bondage of all attachments and graspings. Practicing in this way would be solid and unassuming.

Written in Chinese: September 27, 1998
Translated: August 24, 1999
El Cerrito, California

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