初步參禪的方法 Basic Methods of Investigating Chan

初步參禪的方法

宣化上人開示

Basic Methods of Investigating Chan

比丘尼恆君師彙編

Compiled by Bhikshuni Heng Jyun

張果傑 英譯

English translation by Jack Chong

The Dharma door of investigating Chan requires some skill. It takes effort to investigate. One cannot expect to have a well after digging a single shovelful of dirt. One is not able to reach the Western Pure Land with one single step. Nor can one attain Buddhahood within one minute of cultivation. The methods and skills that I am presenting now for investigating Chan are quite elementary, as we should not introduce them in depth to beginners. You will gain some benefit if you can practice according to these methods. A good knowing advisor can only tell you how to apply effort in cultivation and meditation. You must cultivate and walk this road yourself. It is useless if you don’t walk it yourself.

參禪這個法門，要有相當的工夫，不是一鍬就可以挖個井，也不是一步就到西方極樂世界，也不是修行一分鍾就成佛果，這是要參的。現在所講的初步用功的方法很淺顯，對初學的人不能說的太深。誰要能依照這個方法來修行，都會得到你所應該得到的好處。善知識只能告訴你怎麼樣用功修行，怎麼樣打坐；雖然指示你這條路，可是這條路要你自己去修行，要你自己去走，你自己不走，那還是沒有用的。