弟子海涵來電郵提問：

師佛的教言如雷震耳，菩提心的修行，弟子一直覺得對於我這樣的愚鈍弟子，尤其是落實在行爲上，實在是難以企及。

修行和法務，我似乎一直在做，但菩提心的提升，甚至初步的慈悲心，都還差得太遠。能否請師佛更細緻地開示一下，初學者如何才能在此處打好修行的基礎？

Disciple Hai Han (Oceanic Encompassing) emailed the question:

Guru′s teaching words are like thunders to my ears. Cultivation and practices of Bodhicitta, I have long since felt that, to a dumb disciple like me, is indeed difficult to attempt at, especially when it comes to carry it out in deeds.

It seems that I have been engaging in Dharma practices and services, but the upbringing of Bodhicitta, even the basic ″compassionate mind″, is still too far above me. Could Guru reveal teachings in finer details on ″how could a novice cultivate Bodhicitta to serve as a solid foundation for Dharma practices and activities″?

上師回答：

把修行想成是一步一步往上走，是很難的，因為都是要努力去試，並且試試錯錯，也不見得知道修對了沒有。

瞭解了佛法所指，只是直接經驗的整體，就可以從目的是回歸直接經驗來修行。那麼，就容易多了，並且成效也相對地來得快。
既然是要回歸直接經驗，就不是要勉強去達到什麼境界，而是只要放掉人為的心念及習氣就可以了。

菩提就是直接經驗的整體。發菩提心，就是希望達到回歸直接經驗的整體。
而回歸直接經驗，不需要任何造作努力，只要細細體會直接經驗到的，究竟是怎樣。有想法就與直接經驗隔閡了。常常體會直接經驗，就會漸漸了悟，一直都是一下子就過去，無從把捉，而經驗到的無有邊限——若有，都只是心裡想出來的。

所以，不需要怎樣打基礎，只要常常體會直接經驗，漸漸隨順一切經驗的本性——顯現無常，無從把捉，而不再被想法左右。
等到習慣安於直接經驗的本性，從直接經驗的一體裡就會自然流露慈悲——無緣大慈，同體大悲。

Guru′s response:

Considering Dharma practices as walking step by step upwards is rather difficult because each step requires efforts to attempt at, and through trial and error, one may not even know if the practices were correct or not.

When one comprehends that, what Dharma is pointing at is simply the totality of direct experiences, then one may practice according to the goal—returning to direct experiences. Thus, it would be much easier to engage in and the effects and results of Dharma practices would be attained relatively sooner.
Since the goal is to return to direct experiences, then it is not to make strenuous efforts to reach certain realm of attainment but simply to let go of artificial ideas, thoughts, and habitual tendencies.

Bodhi is the totality of direct experiences. Developing Bodhicitta is aspiring to return to the totality of direct experiences. While returning to direct experiences does not require any contriving efforts, one simply needs to attend wholeheartedly to what one directly experienced is genuinely so. As soon as there are thoughts, one is thereby walled from direct experiences. Constantly stay aware in direct experiences, then, gradually, one would comprehend that, always it is transient, could not be grasped, and what one experienced has no boundaries—if there is any, that is only manufactured by one′s thoughts.

Therefore, no need to contrive to build a foundation, only need to constantly stay aware in direct experiences, and gradually follow along the original nature of all experiences—impermanent occurrences and impossible to grasp to, and thereby no longer be led by thoughts.
When one becomes used to settle in the original nature of direct experiences, from the oneness of direct experiences there will naturally be outpouring of compassion—unconditional great mercy and great compassion born of oneness of all.

 

二○二三年九月十八日
養和齋　　　　於加州

Written in Chinese on September 18, 2023
Translated into English on September 19, 2023
El Cerrito, California