郭朝順院長談「持戒入禪勤精進」Observing Precepts and Entering Meditation Diligently

2024/ 3/12   112-2 期初全院集合 郭朝順院長勉勵話語
Title: Observing Precepts and Entering Meditation Diligently
Speech at the Beginning of the 112-2 Semester Assembly


在研讀《華嚴經．十地品》第五難勝地時，對於其中的一句話，一直印象十分深刻：「持戒入禪，神通無量，四無色等及餘一切世間之事，但於眾生不為損惱，為利益故咸悉開示，漸令安住無上佛法。」我認為這個可以呼應我們佛教學院所企圖實現的教育方向。
While studying the Avatamsaka Sutra, I have been deeply impressed by a particular sentence: "Observing precepts and entering meditation, possessing boundless supernatural powers, they reveal all the phenomena of the formless realm and all other worldly matters, yet they do not cause distress to sentient beings. For the sake of benefiting them, they expound everything gradually, enabling them to abide in the unsurpassed Buddha Dharma." I believe this can resonate with the educational objective we are attempting to realize in our department.

經文的意思是：修行第五難勝地的菩薩，必須持戒以修禪定，當其具足了無量神通之際，能夠為眾生開示四無色界以及以下各種世間事物的道理，令眾生不要因為世俗諸事，損害、惱亂自己的身心，以令眾生能夠漸漸安住在無上佛法，朝向成佛之道前進。
The meaning of the scripture is this: Bodhisattvas practicing the Fifth State must observe precepts to cultivate meditation. When they have perfected boundless supernatural powers, they can expound the principles of the formless realms and various worldly matters to sentient beings without causing them distress. This is done to gradually establish them in the unsurpassed Buddha Dharma and advance them towards enlightenment.

第五難勝地的「難勝」，便是難以超越的意思，因為菩薩在這時所修且將具備的是無上禪定的功夫。修習此地工夫時，首先須以平等清淨心面對一切世間與出世間法，捨棄所有的成見，放下世間與出世間法之間的高下價值判斷，平等地面對一切諸法，因為惟有如此才能體證空性，才能如實地覺察世間法與出世間法各自的道理。
The "difficult to surpass" aspect of the Fifth State implies the mastery of unsurpassed meditative concentration. When practicing at this level, one must first face all worldly and transcendent phenomena with an equanimous and pure mind, abandoning all prejudices and judgments of value between worldly and transcendent phenomena. Only by doing so can one realize emptiness and accurately discern the principles of worldly and transcendent phenomena.

也就是說，即便世間法是虛妄不究竟的，依然有它相對性的真理，值得加以學習；而出世間法的真實，是因為要離世間諸苦才會有功用，若沒有了世間也就不會有存在的價值。這樣的道理，既同於龍樹菩薩「若不依俗諦，不得第一義」，也同於六祖慧能「佛法不離世間覺」。一旦用此平等空慧，不偏世法也不偏出世法來修習禪定，當其通達時，菩薩便會獲得無上神通，用以度化眾生。
In other words, even though worldly phenomena are ultimately unreal, they still possess relative truths worth learning. The reality of transcendent phenomena lies in their utility for transcending worldly suffering; without worldly existence, there would be no value in their existence. This understanding is consistent with Nagarjuna's teaching, "Without relying on worldly truths, one cannot attain the ultimate truth," and Patriarch Huineng's teaching, "Buddha Dharma does not depart from worldly awareness." By cultivating equanimity and wisdom, not leaning towards either worldly or transcendent phenomena, one can attain meditative concentration. When this is accomplished, Bodhisattvas gain unsurpassed supernatural powers to benefit sentient beings.


因此，此地所修的禪定功夫，不是坐禪的入定而已，因為即便修到四無色界定，相對於成佛而言，都還只是世俗法的境界罷了。難勝地之殊勝禪定，在於菩薩除了須出世法的空性平等要有深刻的體證相應外，尚須具有對所有四無色界以下諸世俗法，皆能理解掌握，並用以度化眾生令住無上佛法。是以，難勝地菩薩真正無與倫比的禪定神通是，既要能出世解脫，更要嫻習一切可以度眾的工夫入世而無染，所以經文便說，「此菩薩摩訶薩為利益眾生故，世間技藝靡不該習」因為眾生無限，根性各殊，菩薩若要隨宜度眾、利益眾生，便應為了眾生廣學各種學問，好能應機度化。
Therefore, the meditative concentration cultivated at this State is not merely about achieving meditative absorption through sitting meditation. Even reaching the formless realms is still within the realm of worldly phenomena compared to attaining Buddhahood. The excellence of meditative concentration at this State lies in Bodhisattvas not only realizing the emptiness and equanimity of transcendent phenomena but also comprehending and mastering all worldly phenomena from the formless realms downward, and using them to benefit sentient beings and establish them in the unsurpassed Buddha Dharma.
Hence, the truly unparalleled meditative concentration of the Fifth State Bodhisattva is not only about achieving transcendent liberation but also about skillfully practicing various methods to benefit sentient beings without being tainted by the world. Therefore, the scripture states, "This Bodhisattva-Mahasattva, for the benefit of sentient beings, should learn all worldly skills," because sentient beings are infinite and diverse in their inclinations. Bodhisattvas, in order to skillfully benefit and guide them, should broaden their knowledge and skills accordingly.

可是，學習這麼多的學問，豈不是與禪修的寂靜之理相違？乃至有可能入於虛妄世俗之後，反而遺忘歸真出世的解脫之道？這當然是有可能的。因此，「持戒」便是重要關鍵。「持戒」，並非只有消極禁止的一面，也有積極應行的向度，故說：諸惡莫作，眾生奉行。「持戒入禪」一方面要棄除諸惡，同時也應力行諸善，這二者要同時並進，才能恰當地修習禪定。因為若不棄惡便無以離染，維持自己的身心清淨；但若不欲行善，則徒有定力神通，卻不願入世度眾，則無益眾生。
However, doesn't learning so many disciplines contradict the principles of serene meditation? Could it even lead one to forget the path of true liberation amidst worldly illusions? Indeed, this is possible. Hence, "observing precepts" becomes crucial. "Observing precepts" is not merely about passive abstinence; it also involves active engagement in virtuous deeds, as it is said, "Abstain from all evil, and practice all good." "Observing precepts and entering meditation" requires both the abandonment of evil and the diligent pursuit of goodness. These two must progress simultaneously to cultivate meditation effectively. Without abandoning evil, there is no liberation from defilement and no maintenance of purity of body and mind. However, if one does not desire to do good deeds, despite possessing meditative concentration and supernatural powers, and is unwilling to engage in benefiting sentient beings, then it is of no use to them.

一旦以度眾為念，菩薩豈不應該日日精進修行，學習各種法門。因此我認為「持戒入禪勤精進」，正是實現菩薩四弘誓願：「眾生無量誓願度、煩惱無邊誓願斷、法門無量誓願學、佛道無上誓願成」的重要原則。期待諸位在校期間乃至終此一生，都能如難勝地菩薩持戒入禪勤精進，廣泛學習各般知識與學問，既為自己，更為眾生。
Once one focuses on benefiting sentient beings, shouldn't Bodhisattvas diligently practice and learn various methods day by day? Therefore, I believe that "observing precepts and entering meditation diligently" is indeed a fundamental principle for realizing the Four Great Vows of Bodhisattvas: "Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to liberate them. Afflictions are endless; I vow to extinguish them. Dharma doors are boundless; I vow to master them. The Buddha Way is unsurpassable; I vow to attain it." I hope that all of you, during your time in school and throughout your lives, can emulate the Fifth State Bodhisattva by observing precepts, entering meditation diligently, and extensively learning various kinds of knowledge and disciplines, for your own benefit as well as for the benefit of sentient beings.