修法消執 林鈺堂 簡繁轉換 - 繁體 執著習深難隨緣，頓然全捨無適從； 跋 佛友函詢：佛法教示「無執」，而修法如念佛、習定，皆需長期堅持，豈非重蹈「執著」之覆轍？ 本來清淨確是無有絲毫之執取，因而解脫、自在、自然、活潑。奈何此乃理想之境界，唯證入方契。一般學佛者，縱能了悟此理，在身語意上卻是習染甚深，觸處成窒，要減輕執著已是不易，若說要頓然完全無執，則往往不知何以措手足。至於修習佛法，基本上皆在使人心地恢復單純、清明，藉著不斷重覆純粹的行為，而漸漸消減執取、羅織的習性，因此完全是「因病用藥」，為了對治執著的習性而需要採取的調理。這與未經佛法開導前盲目的習於執取，如同涇渭有濁清之異。由於只是對治的方便，佛法中也明示不要對佛法本身產生執著，並且隨時隨地順應情況，更可以將「一切法皆做為佛法」，利用種種方便調練身心，以達究竟解脫。 若能徹底通達上述的道理，則依佛法修行只是為了返回本來的純真、清淨。隨著執取習性的消弱，所應用的修法也漸漸簡化，終究是要達到既無「俗執」也無「法執」的清澈、流暢，而不是變成自限於「食古不化」的理論框架內。 由此可見，恆毅於修行，並非執著，也不會形成頑固。要在當人善體佛法之真義，而依之修行；鍥而不捨，方能真正達到解脫之樂。 一九九九年八月七日 Reduce Grasping through Dharma Practices Yutang Lin Deep habit of grasping prevents one from going along changes; Comment: A Buddhist wrote me and asked: The Dharma teaches "no grasping" and yet Dharma practices such as chanting and meditation all require long-term efforts and resolution to achieve some results; isn't it falling into the old track of "grasping" again? Original purity is indeed without the slightest trace of grasping, and hence liberal, at ease, natural and alive. Nevertheless, such is an ideal state that can be realized only through spiritual attainment. Ordinary Buddhists, even when they can understand this in theory, are still far from being able to practice it in daily life. They are too deeply bound by personal habits and societal pollution that they are attached to whatever that comes in their way. It is already not easy just to reduce their habit of grasping, not to mention to demand that they suddenly drop all grasping. Then they would not know how to proceed from there. As to Dharma practices, basically they help people to resume simplicity and clarity of mind through repetition of pure activities so that the habit of grasping and weaving would gradually reduce and fade away. Therefore, it is a kind of "using medication to cure illness." Dharma practices are necessary corrective measures taken to counter the self-centered habit of grasping. They are, therefore, as different from the blind habitual grasping formed before learning the Dharma as clear water to mud. Since Dharma practices are antidotal contrivance, it is clearly spelled out in the teachings that, in the end, one should not become attached to the practices and the teachings. Furthermore, at any time and place, in accordance with the situation, one could "use all things as Dharma instruments" to facilitate the training of mind and body so as to achieve the ultimate liberation. If the view above is thoroughly understood, then engaging in Dharma practices is simply in order to resume original purity and clarity. As the habit of grasping is gradually fading away, the practices adopted are also gradually simplified. Ultimately it is to achieve clarity and fluency that is free from attachments to the worldly and to the Dharma. It should not become stagnant within the framework of theories as a result of indigestion of ancient teachings. Thus, it is clear that being constant and resolute in Dharma practice is not a kind of grasping, and would not lead to rigidity. The key is to appreciate the real meaning of the teachings and follow accordingly in practice. Maintaining constant diligence without fail would eventually yield the true joy of liberation. Written in Chinese: August 7, 1999 [Home][Back to list][Reduce Grasping through Dharma Practices] |
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