局外 林鈺堂 簡繁轉換 - 繁體

佛法是以出離世俗的行徑,在深的根本層次從事入世的救渡。世間一時一地的問題,一旦介入,即可能捲入糾纏無休的漩渦內。個人時間、心力皆極有限,有志以佛法救世,即應避免介入世間的紛擾。這並不是避世自保,而是為了專志從事於長遠的大目標,必須安忍眼前波濤的逗弄。瞭解此理,只能宣揚之、遵循之,而不可憑之以批評他人,因為那就又掀起了爭端。

至於環境逼迫,到了存亡關頭,若是奮鬥有濟,依經是許可介入的。奈何世相遷變無常,也沒有絕對的好方、壞方,多的是各自羅織的一偏之理,一旦介入,難免陷於追逐表相、名義的圈套。即使留得佛法的外貌,也難保不忘失其精髓。更何況世間狡黠之輩往往擅於以佛法名義營謀私利,又何暇與此輩斤斤明辯?放眼大千,法緣之淺深、久暫亦無可勉強。因此,與其介入而不知後果若何,不如始終如一,靜處局外,保守赤忱,與法界同遷流而心無罣礙。如此,若逢真誠且積極欲修佛法者,方有暇可以指點之。


                      二○○四年四月三日
                      養和齋   於加州


Outside the Arena Yutang Lin

The Buddhist path employs practices and activities that are free from worldly considerations to carry out salvation of people from within worldly circles at a profound and fundamental level. Worldly problems of a certain time and place, once one gets involved, could pull one into a whirlpool of endless entanglements. Each individual has only very limited time and energy. Hence, while upholding the intention to conduct salvation of the world through Buddhist ways one should avoid getting involved in worldly tangles. This is not escaping from the world for self-preservation; rather, in order to dedicate one's efforts single-mindedly to a long-term great goal, one need to remain steadfast in the face of flirting current waves. Once this is understood, one could only advocate and abide by it but should not criticize others based on it, lest one would stir up arguments and entanglements. As to the case of reaching the juncture of life and death due to circumstantial oppressions, if struggle could bring about relief, according to some Sutra it would be permissible to get involved. Nevertheless, worldly phenomena flow and evolve unpredictably, and there is no side that is absolutely good or absolutely bad, rather, in abundance are partial and prejudicial arguments that are knitted together by each side with self-interests in mind. Once one got involved, it is hardly avoidable for one to became trapped inside the snare of chasing after superficial formality and vacuous names. Thus, even if the appearance of Dharma might be preserved, there would be no assurance of not losing its essence. Not to mention that there are worldly tricky adepts that would promote selfish interests under the guise of Dharma endeavors; why would a sincere and dedicated practitioner waste time on arguing with such morons? When one expands view to the panorama of all worlds the duration and depth of Dharma connections and conditions are also a matter beyond compelling. Therefore, instead of getting involved without knowing how the consequences would turn out, a practitioner would rather remain constant and consistent from beginning till end to stay peacefully outside the worldly arena. Thus one's sincerity and dedication is preserved without reservation nor worries while one's situation remains concurrent with the flow of the whole Dharmadhatu. In this way, in case some sincere and actively participating Buddhist needs guidance, there would be leisure for pointing the direction and clarifying the subtleties.


Written in Chinese on April 3, 2004
Translated on April 5, 2004
El Cerrito, California


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