功效 林鈺堂

急難煎逼質功效,修法高低何從較?
感應遲速豈可強?當知因果無偷巧。
菩提願行恆毅持,不落私心常蒙祐。
一時熱絡屬利用,騙人已難況欺佛。

人們遇到急難,則欲求速效之法。佛法是長遠究竟解脫之道,不是一時權宜的工具。若以為修法可以較量高下,感應可以令其遲速,都是膚淺、愚昧的見識。其實因果無從偷巧。修法感應全賴長久護持菩提願行。不落偏私,方能常蒙庇佑。意圖利用的短暫熱絡,最多只能騙人一時,豈能感通佛法之聖眾?


                     二○○一年五月廿九日
                     養和齋    於加州


Effectiveness Yutang Lin

In deep trouble eager to get assurance of effectiveness;
How to compare various practices for intended results?
Could inspirational blessing arrive as soon as required?
One should realize that causal law could not be tricked.
Constantly sustaining vows and activities of Bodhicitta,
Without fallen into selfishness one is well looked after.
Temporary enthusiasm amounts to skillful exploitation;
Even people could hardly be fooled, not to say Buddha.

Comment:

When people encounter desperate situations they often seek effective and speedy measures of relief. Buddhist practices aim at long-term ultimate liberation from transmigration and are not instruments for temporary conveniences. If it were held to be the case that Dharma practices could be compared in effectiveness or that inspirational blessing could be speeded up as required, then that would surely be shallow and ignorant views. In fact, causal connections could not be tricked or by-passed. Inspirational blessing achieved through practices depends solely on long-term and constant adherence to Bodhi intentions and activities. Only when one has not fallen into selfishness could constant blessing from Buddha be expected. Temporary enthusiasm as propelled by exploitative intentions could at most fool people for a while; how could that inspire the favor of Buddhist holy beings!


Written in Chinese on May 29, 2001
Translated on May 31, 2001
El Cerrito, California


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