修法消执 林钰堂 执着习深难随缘，顿然全舍无适从； 跋 佛友函询：佛法教示“无执”，而修法如念佛、习定，皆需长期坚持，岂非重蹈“执着”之覆辙？ 本来清净确是无有丝毫之执取，因而解脱、自在、自然、活泼。奈何此乃理想之境界，唯证入方契。一般学佛者，纵能了悟此理，在身语意上却是习染甚深，触处成窒，要减轻执着已是不易，若说要顿然完全无执，则往往不知何以措手足。至于修习佛法，基本上皆在使人心地恢复单纯、清明，藉着不断重覆纯粹的行为，而渐渐消减执取、罗织的习性，因此完全是“因病用药”，为了对治执着的习性而需要采取的调理。这与未经佛法开导前盲目的习于执取，如同泾渭有浊清之异。由于只是对治的方便，佛法中也明示不要对佛法本身产生执着，并且随时随地顺应情况，更可以将“一切法皆做为佛法”，利用种种方便调练身心，以达究竟解脱。 若能彻底通达上述的道理，则依佛法修行只是为了返回本来的纯真、清净。随着执取习性的消弱，所应用的修法也渐渐简化，终究是要达到既无“俗执”也无“法执”的清澈、流畅，而不是变成自限于“食古不化”的理论框架内。 由此可见，恒毅于修行，并非执着，也不会形成顽固。要在当人善体佛法之真义，而依之修行；锲而不舍，方能真正达到解脱之乐。 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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