大病大悟　　　　　林鈺堂 　簡繁轉換 - 繁體

 

 

大病是大悟的契機；道家有這樣的說法。一般人都會習於世間的想法，因此很難投入修行。大病可使人領會，世間一切其實都是很渺茫的，因而轉為投入修行。佛法也是強調「無常」與「出離」，來提醒修行者，世間一切都會遷異，需要放捨，纔能專心致力於覺途。

然而，即使已經出家修行的專業人士，也不見得能夠專心致力於覺途，而是往往依然在忙一些世間的事物。可見講究「無常」與「出離」，不光是涉及言行、舉止的表現而已。而大病之所以能成為大悟的契機，其實是在於心態的轉變。

因此，我領悟到，「行者心中自願放捨世間的顧慮」，纔是真正投入修行佛法的契機。因為這是「自願」的領域，無從勸說，只能提供認真修法的志士們參考。若能真正自願放捨一切世間的顧慮，在修行佛法上，一定會突飛猛進！

 

 

二○一九年十一月八日
養和齋　　　　於加州

Serious Illness Great Awaking

 

Yutang Lin

 

Serious illness is an opportunity for great awaking; Taoists have this kind of saying. Ordinary people are all used to worldly considerations, and hence it is very difficult for them to devote themselves to spiritual practices. Serious illness could help people to realize that, all worldly matters are indeed fleeting illusions, and hence they turn to devotion in spiritual practices. Dharma also emphasizes Impermanence and Renunciation to remind practitioners that, all worldly matters are ever evolving, and need to be renounced to be able to concentrate efforts on the enlightening path.

However, even for professionals who have renounced worldly life and engage in Dharma practices and activities, it is not for sure that they can concentrate their efforts on the enlightening path, and yet, often, they are still preoccupied with worldly matters. Thus, it is clear that, emphasizing Impermanence and Renunciation is not just about how speeches, behaviors and activities are conducted. And the reason why serious illness can become an opportunity for great awaking is, indeed, depending on a change in mental attitude.

Therefore, I realize that, ″practitioner′s mind is voluntarily willing to renounce worldly considerations″ is the real opportunity for devotion to Dharma practices. Since this belongs to the realm of each person′s voluntary intentions, it is beyond persuasions, and my realization can only be offered to serious Dharma practitioners for considerations. If a Dharma practitioner could genuinely and voluntarily renounce all worldly considerations, then there will surely be speedy and steady advancement on the enlightenment path.

 

 

Written in Chinese and translated into English on November 8, 2019
El Cerrito, California