如何順從       林鈺堂簡繁轉換 - 繁體

密法中講究對上師的徹底順從。佛法中一向都是開示真理與接受辯論，而不提倡盲目的迷信。「徹底順從」一位肉身的上師，是否不合佛理？一位上師，做為一個活生生的人，難免有種種限制、病苦及言行不圓滿的地方，又如何能令弟子心甘情願地徹底順從？

佛法雖然講理，但是其究竟所示以及證入的境界，都是離於意識的籠罩的。密法是果位的教授及方便措施，所以藉對上師的徹底順從來令弟子頓然捨棄意識的束縛。

此外，弟子若能放捨對上師言行的見解及反應，纔能有時間、精神及虛心的態度來領受上師的教導及加持。但是弟子一般都習於意識的思考，所以免不了對上師有種種的批評及抱怨，而無法徹底做到順從。如果勉強一切順從，久後難免爆發，不是捨離，便是心有罣礙，反而違背修行的目的。

密法祖師的傳記，不乏徹底順從的榜樣，例如那洛巴之於諦洛巴，以及密勒日巴之於麻巴。他們的順從上師，在現代人看來可能視為盲從，然而他們卻都因之而得到大成就。古德並非愚迷，而是基於對其上師之證德的體認，纔能如斯地順從。

那樣的徹底順從，不顧身命，在現代是難以講求的。在現代忽然要求弟子放棄思考與講理也是不可能的。佛法又是講理的教示，所以在現代可行的方式，應是讓弟子陳述見解，以便經由溝通而領得上師的指導。並且弟子也要牢記「徹底順從」的根本用意，多在虛心領教上用心，以免固步自封。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　二○一四年一月四日　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　養和齋　　　於加州

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

How to Comply with

Yutang Lin

In Tantric Buddhism it is emphasized that a disciple should comply with Guru's words thoroughly. Dharma always propagates truth and accepts debates, and does not propagate blind faith and deluded beliefs. "To thoroughly comply with Guru's words," in case of a living Guru, is it still in accordance with the rational aspect of the Dharma? A Guru, as a living human being, can hardly avoid having limitations, sickness, suffering and imperfection in speech and actions; how then can a Guru demand disciples to sustain willing and thorough compliance with his words?

Even though Dharma has its rational aspect and is propagated in many ways through theories, nevertheless, what it ultimately points at and the realization its teachings are aiming at, are all beyond the confines of ideas and thoughts. Tantra is teaching and skillful means given from the position of final attainments, and hence this teaching on thorough compliance with Guru's words is a pedagogical device to help disciples suddenly free from the bondage of ideas and thoughts.

Besides, if a disciple can renounce his views on and reactions to Guru's speech and actions, only then can he have the time, energy and openness of mind to receive Guru's teachings and blessing. However, ordinarily disciples are all accustomed to rational thinking, and hence cannot avoid having all sorts of criticisms and complains to the Guru, and consequently they cannot actually comply with Guru's words thoroughly. If they are forced to comply with Guru's every word, in the long run, it could hardly be avoided that they explode into complete cessation from the Guru or sustain grudges in mind, which runs contrary to the goal of all Dharma practices.

In the biographies of Tantric patriarchs there are not only a few epitomes of thoroughly complying with Guru's words; for example, Naropa as disciple to Tilopa and Milarepa as one to Marpa. Their compliance to their Gurus may seem blind following to modern people; nevertheless, they attained great accomplishments in enlightenment through such compliance. These ancient sages are not ignorant fools; instead, based on their appreciation of their Gurus' attainments, they could comply with their Gurus to such extents.

Thorough compliance as such, to the extent of disregarding one's health and life, could hardly be expected in our modern time. At present, demanding disciples to suddenly renounce completely thinking and reasoning is also impossible. After all, Dharma is rational teaching, and hence a possible approach in our modern time should be to let disciples express their opinions, so as to communicate with and receive guidance from their Guru. Besides, as a disciple, one should keep in mind the basic intentions of the teaching on "thorough compliance" and then spend more attention to learning Dharma with an open and humble attitude, lest one remains stagnant within one's own old confinements. 

 

Written in Chinese and translated on January 4, 2014
El Cerrito, California