依法自检　林钰堂

因缘流转迹可循，四海准则靶不寻。
评点论断谁胜任？依法自检消执麇。

因缘流转有迹可循，佛法之教示乃基于此等法则，因而具有“四海皆准”之真理性，并非针对任何特定人、事之评点。例如，教示“无执”，非用以批评他人执着，只是开示达到解脱之方针。若要评点论断他人之是非善恶，又有谁是悉知悉见，至公至允，而堪承担此任？修行者应了解上述，而只依佛法自检言行，自净心意，以消去种种执着之束缚。（“麇”字有两义：群、束缚。此处两义皆含。）如此修行，方契平实。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　一九九八年九月廿七日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　养和斋　　　　于加州

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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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