Soh

繁體: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/blog-post_22.html

英文(原文):http://greatawakeningtoreality.com/2012/09/great-resource-of-buddha-teachings.html

佛陀教法的伟大资源

苏合(Soh)

另见:
《涅槃的意义》
《佛法中的“不死”是什么?》
《什么是涅槃?》

更新:原网站已下线。但可在 Box.com 或 Scribd 获取副本: https://app.box.com/s/nxby5606lbaei9oudiz6xsyrdasacqph / https://www.scribd.com/document/274168728/Measureless-Mind

当我发现 “Measureless Mind(无量心智)” 这个网站时,我心想:哇,多么伟大的佛陀教法资源!这对一切修行者都是极有价值的资料。编排精良、呈现清晰、面面俱到,并对巴利经典中的佛陀原始教法配以恰当评注,作者是 Geoff(在 dharmawheel 的网名是 jnana,在 dhammawheel 是 nana)。如同我经常引用的堪布南卓/麦尔康(Loppon Namdrol/Malcolm),Geoff(其修行背景更偏向大手印与上座部)也是一位学识渊博的佛教学者—修行者,我常常怀着浓厚兴趣阅读他的文章。

我把其中两篇文章(我从头到尾读完了整个网站,强烈推荐他人也如此阅读)发给 Thusness。Thusness 也评论说:“两篇文章都写得非常好。放到博客上。”又说:“那个网站是极好的资源。”

http://measurelessmind.ca/anattasanna.html

无我想(Anattasaññā)

“莫伽罗阇啊,观此世间,见其空寂,恒常正念;
灭除我见,便能超越死。
如是观世间者,不为阎摩王所见。”
——《经集》5.15《问莫伽罗阇童子经》 SuttaCentral

关于“无我想”的观修,《增支部》10.60《吉利曼陀经》这样说:
“那么,阿难,什么是无我想?在这里,阿难,比丘到森林、树根处或空闲之地,如是审观:‘眼无我,色无我;耳无我,声无我;鼻无我,香无我;舌无我,味无我;身无我,触无我;意无我,法无我。’他便如是就六内外处而住于无我之观。阿难,这就称为无我想。” SuttaCentral

在修行中,我们需要在直接经验里识别这种“无我”:当“见”时,是可见之色、眼根与眼识的聚合;当“闻”时,是声音、耳根与耳识的聚合;当“触”时,是触受、身根与身识的聚合;当“思”时,是念头、意根与意识的聚合。这些过程只是通过“触”而起:当某一根门与某一所缘相触,对应的识便生起。此全程依“此缘性”(idappaccayatā,特定缘起)而发生。并无独立、完全自主的能作之我在操控这一切。

一个独立自主的“我”,按定义应当是:
1)常住;2)可满足;3)不受病患;4)完全自决(对自身具有彻底的自主掌控)。
因此,被否定的,是一个常住而可满足、不受老病死侵的“我”。正如《相应部》22.59《五比丘经》(节录)所说:
“诸比丘,色、受、想、行、识皆无我。若色、受、想、行、识是我,则色、受、想、行、识就不会导致病患。”同时:“谁也不能令其‘当如是’或‘不当如是’。” SuttaCentral

通过持续而专注的观修,我们所见只是无常的过程:缘起而生,并非完全自决。首先,我们清楚见到身心一切有为法皆无常;继而见到凡无常者皆不可满足,不能提供持久的快乐;于是了知:一切无常而不可满足的身心法皆无我——它们不能作为“我”的根据,因为“我”按定义应当是常住且(人们希望)可满足的。这一“观无常—观苦—观无我”的次第关系,可用示意图来说明(原文处为图示)。

当无我之认知成熟,“主体”与“客体”的两面在经验中都被腾空。我们领会到:对于身心以及一切外在表相的“我所作”“我所取”,其实是迷误。无我之认知一旦彻底成就,便不再有可被主观执取所对应的实在所指。凡所见,唯是“所见”(diṭṭhamatta);凡所闻、凡所感,唯是“所闻”(sutamatta)与“所感”(mutamatta);凡所知,唯是“所知”(viññātamatta)。《自说经》1.10《婆希耶经》这样说:
“于见唯见,于闻唯闻,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知。婆希耶,你应如是训练。
当你于见唯见、于闻唯闻、于所感唯所感、于所知唯所知之时,那么,在那方面并无‘你’。既然在那方面并无‘你’,你就不在那里。既然你不在那里,你既不在此,也不在彼,也不在两者之间。唯此即是苦之尽。” SuttaCentral

当无我可得时,经验便变得极其简明、直接、无杂染。当“见”时,只是色—眼—眼识的聚合,如是而已;并没有一个分离的“见者”。所谓“见者”,完全依“所见”而有;没有脱离“所见”的“见者”。并没有一个独立的主体或自我。

对于“所缘”亦然。所谓“所见”,完全依眼根与眼识而有;没有脱离眼根与了别的“所见”。一切可能的“所缘”皆如是:并没有一个独立的客体。

对于“识”亦然。所谓“见”,完全依眼与色而有;没有脱离眼与了别的“见”。一切可能的“识”皆如是:并没有一个独立的感官识。

以你此刻看着屏幕的直接经验为例:依世俗语言,你可以说“我看见电脑屏幕”。另一种说法是,有一个“见者”在“见”“所见”。但请看这屏幕:你的经验里,真有三个独立分离的部分吗?抑或“见者—见—所见”仅是我们贴在经验上的三个概念性标签,而这三者在经验中完全相依?

“见者—所见—见”皆是空、无实体。眼根、色法与眼识,都是同一经验中互相依存的方面。你无法剥离其一而仍保有感官经验——并无分离。《增支部》4.24《迦罗迦园经》说:
“因此,比丘们,如来看见应见之法时,不作‘已见’之认定,不作‘未见’之认定,不作‘应见’之认定,也不作‘见者’之认定;
听闻应闻之法时,不作‘已闻’之认定,不作‘未闻’之认定,不作‘应闻’之认定,也不作‘闻者’之认定;
感受应感之法时,不作‘已感’之认定,不作‘未感’之认定,不作‘应感’之认定,也不作‘感者’之认定;
了知应知之法时,不作‘已知’之认定,不作‘未知’之认定,不作‘应知’之认定,也不作‘知者’之认定。” SuttaCentral

感官识并不能被隔离为分立独存之物;其他相依诸法亦然。甚至我们赋予这些现象的名称,也都只是依他起的约定之称。但这并不意味着我们应将经验解读为某种“宇宙一体”或“统一识”等等——那不过又是另一个空、依他起的标签罢了。此番分析的要点,在于见到一切所指皆空,从而停止建构并界定一个“自我”。

正确修持“无我想”的目的,《增支部》7.49《第二想经》这样陈说:
“诸比丘,于苦中修习并增上无我之想,具大果,大有益;它与不死相应,以不死为其究竟。”并说明,若此想已熟,则对“此有情身”与“一切外相”的“我所作”“我所取”已尽,超越我慢,寂静善解脱;若未熟,则应如实知“不足”。(意旨同经文) SuttaCentral

这里触及佛法最为微细的要点之一。简言之:无明止息之时,“我见”的信念同步止息。既无可得之我,便无可死、可生之我。这就是“不死”的当下之义。佛陀对莫伽罗阇宣说的,正是此事(见上引)。 SuttaCentral

当完全舍弃一切引发“我”之误执的潜在习气——凡所有“我在”的观念——便无有可死之我。对于“我所作”的思量之流一旦息止,便得其平息之安,彼安即离生老死之苦。《中部》140《界分别经》如是说:
“‘彼于思量之流不复流转,彼之止息故,名为寂静之智者。’……‘我在’是思量;……‘我将有/无/有色/无色/有想/无想/非想非非想’皆是思量。思量是病、是癌、是箭。超越一切思量,彼即名为寂静之智者。
又,寂静之智者不生、不老、不死;彼不动摇,离贪求……‘生已尽,梵行已立,所作已办,更无余事。’” SuttaCentral

因此,当无明止息,与“不满足”(苦)相系的整个缘起复合也随之止息。当一切“我所作”“我所取”皆因戒、定、慧的圆满一体化训练而究竟舍离,此即离欲(virāga),即灭(nirodha),即寂灭(nibbāna),即无漏(anāsava),即不生(ajāta)、不成(abhūta)、不作(akata)、无为(asaṅkhata)、无尽(ananta)、不败坏(apalokita),并且,确是“不死”(amata)。《相应部》43《无为相应》以整组同义名目,反复以“贪、恚、痴的灭尽”为定义加以说明(其中第 21 经题为“不败坏经(Apalokita)”)。 SuttaCentral

无我想与七觉支(Satta Bojjhaṅgā)

对于“于苦中之无我想”的持续、专注修持,将渐次成就七觉支生起的最优条件。《相应部》46.73《无我经》明确逐条说明:
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习念觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习择法觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习精进觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习喜觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习轻安觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习定觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“于苦中之无我想”为依止,修习舍觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
如此修习与培育,便“具大果大益”。 SuttaCentral

http://measurelessmind.ca/nirodhasanna.html

止想(Nirodhasaññā)

“既无彼岸,亦无此岸,亦无两岸;
离苦无缚,我称之为婆罗门。”
——《法句经》385(意译其旨)

当离欲之认知完全成熟而证得,不复可得之我、亦无可认同之所依时,即证得解脱的智与见(vimuttiñāṇadassana)。这是真正的内在寂静(ajjhattasanti),是对“止”的圆满认知。《增支部》10.60《吉利曼陀经》说:
“那么,阿难,什么是止想?在这里,阿难,比丘到森林、树根处或空闲之地,如是审观:‘此为寂静,此为胜妙:即是一切行的息止,一切取的舍离,贪爱的灭尽,止,涅槃。’阿难,这就称为止想。” SuttaCentral

这就是“无有动摇”(calita natthi)。《自说经》8.4《涅槃经》开示:
“无动摇则安隐;安隐则无倾向;无倾向则无来无去;无来无去则无生无灭;无生无灭,则无此岸、无彼岸、亦无两岸之间。唯此即是苦之尽。” SuttaCentral

这也是一切特定造作与意向的平息。《中部》140《界分别经》说:
“不向‘有’与‘无’而造作与意向;既不向‘有/无’而造作与意向,便不执着于此世任何事物;不执着则不兴奋;不兴奋则亲证究竟涅槃;如是了知:‘生已尽,梵行已立,所作已办,更无余事。’” SuttaCentral

这是一种“以无为自由”的解脱,由彻底认知无我而显明。《自说经》1.10《婆希耶经》同样总结:
“于见唯见,于闻唯闻,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知……在那方面并无‘你’;既无‘你’,则不在那里;既不在那里,则不在此、不在彼,亦不在两者之间。唯此即是苦之尽。” SuttaCentral

这即是圣者的解脱:贪爱与执取的消除。《中部》106《不动适宜经》以“不执而解脱之心”为“不死”。(旨同) The Open Buddhist University

这也是一种不费力的澄明:其识不住、不立(appatiṭṭhita viññāṇa)——即“不安立之识”。《相应部》22.53《方便经》说:
“当此识不建立、不增长、不造作,即解脱;解脱则安稳;安稳则满足;满足则不兴奋;不兴奋则亲证究竟涅槃;如是了知:‘生已尽,梵行已立,所作已办,更无余事。’” SuttaCentral

更无任何寻求,更无个人议程;不再把任何法认同为“我”或将任何事物凝固为固定的依托点;既无“此”,亦无“彼”,亦无“两者之间”。

觉悟之心是无量的(appamāṇacetasa),离一切“量度”(pamāṇa)。形象地说,觉者深邃(gambhīra)、无边(appameyya)、不可测度(duppariyogāḷha),从“特定构造之识”(viññāṇasaṅkhāya)中得解脱(vimutta)。已“去”(atthaṅgata),无量之心即使当下亦不可追寻(ananuvejja);它不住于头部、身体,或任何一处;它无大小、无形状;它不是客体,也不是主体。正如虚空无相而不示,无量之心亦“不示相”(anidassana,注意:此处为“不示相”,并非“三解脱门”的“无相/animitta”);此澄明不为任何特定造作或意向所媒介。这是不受染的知:于见唯见,于闻唯闻,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知;而于彼无有“你”。当然,这种解脱的智与见并非仅凭言辞即可充分指陈,它是“各自亲证”(paccatta veditabba)。关于“不示相”等名相在《相应部》43 中与“无为、不死、吉祥、安隐、不败坏”等并列为同义名目,可参该相应诸经汇编。 SuttaCentral

止想与七觉支(Satta Bojjhaṅgā)

对于“止想”的持续、专注修持,《相应部》46.76《止经》也逐条说明其与七觉支的相应关系:
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习念觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习择法觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习精进觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习喜觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习轻安觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习定觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
— 他以“止想”为依止,修习舍觉支,依止离、无欲、止息,导致解脱放下
如是修习与培育,或得两果之一:现法究竟智,或若有余执则得不还;并且“具大善利,得大解脱安隐,起大紧迫感,住大安乐”。 SuttaCentral

——
标签:无我、佛陀、放下、上座部

Soh

ChatGPT 5 Thinking translated Bahiya Sutta and Kalaka Sutta from Pali original into English with prompt from https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html.


Bahiya Sutta

Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying at Sāvatthī, in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. Now at that time Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth was living at Suppāraka on the seashore, honored, respected, revered, venerated, and supplied with robes, almsfood, lodging, and medicinal requisites for the sick. While he was alone, secluded, this reflection arose in his mind: “Whoever in this world are arahants or have entered the path to arahantship—I am one among them.”

Then a deity who had once been Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth’s blood relative—compassionate and desiring his welfare—knowing with her mind the reflection in Bāhiya’s mind, approached him and said: “Bāhiya, you are not an arahant, nor have you entered the path to arahantship. Nor is this your practice by which you would be an arahant or one who has entered the path to arahantship.”

“Then who, in this world with its devas, are arahants or have entered the path to arahantship?” “Bāhiya, in the northern country there is a city named Sāvatthī. There the Blessed One, an arahant, a perfectly awakened Buddha, is now dwelling. That Blessed One is truly an arahant and teaches the Dhamma for the attainment of arahantship.”

Stirred by that deity, Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth set out at once from Suppāraka, and, lodging but a single night wherever he went, he came to Sāvatthī, to Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Park. At that time many monks were walking up and down in the open air. Bāhiya went to them and said: “Venerable sirs, where is the Blessed One—the arahant, the perfectly awakened Buddha—now dwelling? We wish to see that Blessed One, the arahant, the perfectly awakened Buddha.” “Bāhiya, the Blessed One has gone into the houses for alms.”

Then Bāhiya, hurrying out from Jeta’s Grove and entering Sāvatthī, saw the Blessed One walking for alms in Sāvatthī—serene and inspiring, with faculties at peace and mind at peace—having attained the utmost taming and serenity—tamed and guarded, with faculties well restrained, a Great One (nāga). Seeing him, he approached, and placing his head at the Blessed One’s feet, he said: “Let the Blessed One teach me the Dhamma; let the Well-Gone One teach me the Dhamma, for my long-term welfare and happiness.”

When this was said, the Blessed One said to Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth: “Bāhiya, this is not the time; we have entered the houses for alms.”

A second time Bāhiya said to the Blessed One: “Bhante, it is hard to know the dangers to the Blessed One’s life or to mine. Let the Blessed One teach me the Dhamma; let the Well-Gone One teach me the Dhamma, for my long-term welfare and happiness.” A second time the Blessed One said to Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth: “Bāhiya, this is not the time; we have entered the houses for alms.”

A third time Bāhiya said to the Blessed One: “Bhante, it is hard to know the dangers to the Blessed One’s life or to mine. Let the Blessed One teach me the Dhamma; let the Well-Gone One teach me the Dhamma, for my long-term welfare and happiness.”

“Then, Bāhiya, you should train yourself thus: in the seen there will be merely the seen; in the heard, merely the heard; in the sensed, merely the sensed; in the cognized, merely the cognized. In this way, Bāhiya, you should train yourself. When, for you, in the seen there is merely the seen; in the heard, merely the heard; in the sensed, merely the sensed; in the cognized, merely the cognized—then, Bāhiya, there will be no you in connection with that. When there is no you in connection with that, there is no you there. When there is no you there, you are neither here nor yonder nor between the two. Just this is the end of suffering.”

Then, through this brief teaching of the Dhamma by the Blessed One, Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth’s mind was immediately liberated from the taints without clinging.

Having given Bāhiya this concise instruction, the Blessed One went on his way. Not long after the Blessed One had departed, a cow with a young calf attacked Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth and killed him.

Having gone for alms in Sāvatthī, and after the meal, returning from the almsround and leaving the city with a number of monks, the Blessed One saw that Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth had died. Seeing this, he addressed the monks: “Monks, take Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth’s body; place it on a bier, carry it away, burn it, and raise a memorial mound for him. Your companion in the holy life has passed away.”

“Yes, Bhante,” the monks replied. After placing Bāhiya’s body on a bier, carrying it away, burning it, and raising a memorial mound for him, they went to the Blessed One, bowed, and sat to one side. Seated thus, they said to him: “Bhante, Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth’s body has been burned and his memorial mound has been made. What is his destination, what his future state?” “Monks, Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth was wise; he practiced the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma, and he did not trouble me regarding the Dhamma. Monks, Bāhiya of the Bark-cloth is fully extinguished.”

Then, understanding the meaning of this, on that occasion the Blessed One uttered this inspired utterance:

“Where water, earth, fire, and wind find no footing;

where the stars don’t shine, the sun is not seen,

the moon does not appear—there, darkness is not found.

And when a sage, a brahmin,

knows this for himself with his own discernment,

then from form and the formless,

from pleasure and pain, he is released.”

The Tenth. This inspired utterance, too, was spoken by the Blessed One—thus I heard.

The first chapter: the Bodhi Chapter.

Summary of the chapter: Tayo Bodhi, Nigrodha; the Elders and Kassapa; Pāvā, Saṅgāmajī, the Matted-Hair Ascetics; and Bāhiya—thus the ten.


Kāḷakārāma Sutta (AN 4.24)

Thus have I heard. At one time the Blessed One was staying at Sāketa, in Kāḷaka’s Monastery. There he addressed the monks: “Monks.” “Bhante,” they replied. The Blessed One said this:

“Monks, whatever in this world with its devas, with Māra and with Brahmā, in this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought after, and examined by the mind—that I know. Whatever in this world with its devas, with Māra and with Brahmā, in this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its devas and humans, is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought after, and examined by the mind—that I have directly known. That is known to the Tathāgata, but the Tathāgata does not take a stance on it.

“If I were to say, ‘I do not know whatever in this world … is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought after, and examined by the mind,’ that would be a falsehood in me. If I were to say, ‘I both know and do not know whatever in this world … is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought after, and examined by the mind,’ that would be just the same. If I were to say, ‘I neither know nor do not know whatever in this world … is seen, heard, sensed, cognized, attained, sought after, and examined by the mind,’ that would be a fault in me.

“Thus, monks, when the Tathāgata sees what is to be seen, he does not conceive the seen; he does not conceive the unseen; he does not conceive the to-be-seen; he does not conceive a seer. When he hears what is to be heard, he does not conceive the heard; he does not conceive the unheard; he does not conceive the to-be-heard; he does not conceive a hearer. When he senses what is to be sensed, he does not conceive the sensed; he does not conceive the unsensed; he does not conceive the to-be-sensed; he does not conceive a senser. When he cognizes what is to be cognized, he does not conceive the cognized; he does not conceive the uncognized; he does not conceive the to-be-cognized; he does not conceive a cognizer.

“Thus, monks, with regard to things that are seen, heard, sensed, and cognized, the Tathāgata is ‘Such,’ just ‘Such.’ And I say there is no better or finer poise than this.

“Whatever is seen, heard, or sensed,

and appropriated as true by others,

one who is Such, being self-restrained,

would not proclaim as true—or as false.

“Having seen in advance that dart

to which beings cleave and cling—

‘I know, I see; it is just so’—

for the Tathāgatas there is no appropriation.”


Soh


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RsQ6h8JiKY - interesting life story of 杨定一, the path of self enquiry and his I AM realization. Translation:

Recently, viewers have been hoping I would interview Dr. Yang Ding-I, so I read most of his books. The one I read most carefully was Miracle, because I was most interested in his personal story. How did he himself awaken? The word "miracle" appears countless times in this book. In fact, there are several stories that he considers the "greatest miracle"—his birth, growth, encounters, and awakening. Step by step, he experienced countless miracles. And he didn't even mention the most "mystical" things, for fear that some people couldn't accept them. He said he wrote this book hoping to inspire everyone to reflect on their own lives and how many times they have encountered incredible phenomena. He believes that "miracles" are actually experienced by everyone, but we filter them out with our rationality. I tried hard to recall my own ordinary life, but I really couldn't think of any miracles. The miracles he experienced are certainly not universal. To be honest, reading this book made me quite frustrated.

So, I sent an email to the "The Totality of Life" series channel. I said I very much hoped to interview Dr. Yang and just wanted to ask one question: In all these years, among your readers and students, have there been any ordinary people, those without any special abilities or magical experiences, who suddenly, one day, truly awakened?

I explained that the reason I asked this question was that I already had some suspicions in my heart. Dr. Yang, you say that surrender and self-inquiry are great paths that only the most mature people can take. Well, these most mature people certainly did not become mature in this lifetime. Like you, they have already gone through "awakenings of many lifetimes" and are putting a final period on it in this life. You are actually waiting for those who, like you, showed abnormalities from a young age, people who experienced various miracles. Only they will awaken in this lifetime. Of course, your compassion benefits everyone. Whether we awaken or not, we can at least live more freely and at ease.

I have great respect for enlightened beings like Dr. Yang, and asking this question was absolutely not a challenge to him, but a genuine desire for an answer. This is because after interviewing these guests, I had a feeling that so-called mystical experiences or psychic abilities might all be signals of an impending awakening. It suggests that after lifetimes of karma (retribution), their time has come. As for those who haven't experienced anything yet, perhaps their time has not yet come in this life. Unexpectedly, just one day later, I received a reply and got the answer to this question, but in a way I could never have anticipated.

Don't be impatient. Let's first look at the Doctor's own awakening process in this book, and then I will tell you what kind of answer and reply I received.

Dr. Yang's father, Yang Zhengmin, why did he give his son this name? It turns out "Ding-I" comes from Mencius, Seeing King Xiang of Liang. Mencius said: "Stability comes from being one," meaning "the world can be stable when it is unified." Think about it, how well this name fits with "Oneness": not only is the world unified, but isn't the entire universe, even countless universes, unified in "One"? Dr. Yang was born in Taiwan. His birth was different from others; he was 4-6 weeks past his due date. A post-term pregnancy is quite dangerous. I wonder if he was hesitating, unsure whether to take another trip to this human world. Dr. Yang's parents were very simple, kind, and loving people. He believes that in their entire lives, his parents "never did a single bad thing." Yet, they later encountered extreme misfortune, which I will talk about later. Old Mr. Yang wrote several collections of essays, one of which is titled A Dozen PhDs in My Home. This is because his four children are all "double PhDs," and when you add their spouses, the number of doctoral degrees in the large family adds up to about "a dozen." From this, everyone can understand what kind of soul family this is.

From a young age, Dr. Yang had what are commonly called "special abilities." For example, when he slept at night, he could hear music that others couldn't, as if it were "celestial music" from another world. Moreover, his consciousness could follow the music, leave his body, and wander into another world. He could see his own body. This is like the "near-death experience" many people have, but for him, it was a commonplace "night-wandering experience." Sometimes he could feel a sun shining in his heart, constantly expanding, even expanding outside the house. He could also see various people and things, all carrying their own spectrum of light. Happy people and angry people, friendly people and unfriendly people, all had different lights. When he was 7, his whole family immigrated to Brazil (to make it easier to contact relatives on the mainland). One time, he and his younger brother were competing to see who could jump higher. As soon as he jumped, he surprisingly kept rising all the way to the ceiling, scaring both himself and his brother. When he went to see a movie with his brother, he would somehow realize that time and space are fabricated, that everything around him was an illusion (like a movie). Sometimes, he was like an eagle, able to look down on the world from above, with all details clearly visible. Even when he participated in judo or soccer matches, he could see the entire game and his opponents from "every angle," allowing him to calmly take down opponents or score goals.

What's more strange is that since he was a child, he could see some "friendly beings" who came to teach him. He called them "Great Sages." Because his mother was a devout Catholic, he was baptized at a young age and was familiar with many scriptures. He loved going to church to listen to sermons, confess, and pray, and even considered becoming a priest. When he was five or six, during a prayer, he saw the Jesus on the cross move, open his arms, walk towards him, look at him, and gently place a hand full of light on his head. Instantly, a warm current poured down from the top of his head and flowed through his whole body. For the first time, he experienced an indescribable joy. Later, he experienced this many, many times, even as an adult with a family (being filled with light). He said this is the state of "union with God" that many people have experienced. Not only Jesus, but various angels also often appeared to protect him at any time. And he discovered that some unfriendly people had unfriendly beings following them. It wasn't until he was almost an adult that he realized it was actually the good and evil within his own mind. His connection with Catholicism was not only because of his childhood immersion and closeness to Jesus. Once, under a friend's hypnosis, he clearly saw his past life—a Jesuit missionary who had preached in Brazil. Later, after he came into contact with Buddhism, the Four Great Bodhisattvas all became his teachers. Manjushri, symbolizing wisdom, seemed to be teaching him at all times, giving him deeper insights and constantly reminding him that everything is an illusion. Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara), symbolizing loving-kindness, constantly demonstrated non-discriminatory compassion to him, letting him know that he had never been separate from anything. Moreover, Guanyin also represents the great path of sound, making him understand that sound strikes the heart more directly than words. Samantabhadra, representing the mind of equality, let him know that every moment is equal; "thought" and "no-thought," "being" and "not-being," "everything" and "emptiness" are all equal. And Ksitigarbha constantly reminded him that this world is created by karma, and that even all diseases are related to karma. Most miraculously, the entire structural integration system was taught to him by Ksitigarbha during one of his runs. However, in the end, Dr. Yang says not to think of these four Bodhisattvas as four separate individuals. In fact, the qualities they represent—wisdom, compassion, equality, and the transformation of karma—are our inherent essence. As long as we find our true selves, we are complete in ourselves.

By the age of 7, he had already finished reading all the physics and mathematics books on his father's bookshelf. Ordinary people read books one by one, or a few books in rotation. But he read books like this: he would place 6-10 books on a table and walk around the table reading them as if at a buffet, glancing at this one, looking at that one. He had a nearly photographic memory. Every time he went to the library, he would borrow dozens of books and finish them in a few days. In a few years, he had read almost all the books in the school library. Ordinary people read with their eyes, but he (sometimes) could just place his hand on a book and grasp its content. Sometimes, he would put a book under his pillow, and when he woke up, it was as if he had read the book. Many years later, he had a collection of tens of thousands of books but rarely read them anymore. It seemed that all knowledge was absorbed by him from the infinite, just like his "The Totality of Life" series, which was downloaded directly from the universe. This child prodigy entered medical school at 13, received his medical doctorate at 19, and another doctorate in biochemistry at 21. At 27, he was leading a large laboratory at Rockefeller University. The professors on the floors above and below him had either won the Nobel Prize or had come close to winning it. But he said that during this time, what left the deepest impression on him was that he would often enter a state of no-thought. For him, this state was both a great rest and a burst of inspiration. Sometimes he could even foresee the future. He believes that everyone can be like this, born with some innate psychic qualities.

His awakening happened in New York, marked by several "greatest miracles." When he was around 20, he walked into a bookstore one day and suddenly saw an aged face on a book cover. He froze, stood still, and tears began to stream down his face. His whole body felt waves of electricity passing through it. The cover of that book was Ramana Maharshi, the Indian sage. He placed his hand on the book and it was as if he understood what he was saying. The "non-duality" that Ramana Maharshi taught his whole life was precisely the "self-inquiry" that Dr. Yang would later share. But he didn't read his book. He only knew that in his past life, he had studied with this master. That encounter in the bookstore was their "most intimate reunion." "It was as if he brought me back into my life, and naturally, it allowed him and me to unite on a deeper level of my heart. The subsequent understanding of him was not at all through grasping or interpreting his words. At most, I can only thank him for coming back again to be my teacher. In that bookstore, an inexpressible transmission was completed. This most intimate reunion of my life, I believe, is one of the greatest gifts I have received. This in itself is also one of the greatest miracles." Later, he had the opportunity to visit this sage's place of practice, "Arunachala" (Holy Beacon Mountain). Ramana Maharshi awakened at 16 and spent the rest of his life practicing at Arunachala, initially in a cave and later at the Ramana Ashram at the foot of the mountain. Pilgrims from all over the world would gather to pay homage at the place of Ramana's passing, the "Samadhi" hall of the ashram. Dr. Yang, however, climbed Arunachala barefoot and entered a cave to "enter samadhi." The gatekeeper seemed to see his unusual connection with Ramana and made an exception, allowing him to spend the night there alone, for several consecutive nights. He said "Arunachala" is a great spiral energy field connecting to the heavens. There, he not only united with Ramana Maharshi but also with the countless sages who had practiced there. He paid homage to all the great masters. In fact, Dr. Yang's system of thought, like Ramana Maharshi's, transcends the boundaries of religion.

It was in that same bookstore that he casually picked up a copy of the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch. This was the first Buddhist scripture he read. A few weeks later, he finally opened the book. Just like when he saw Ramana Maharshi's face, from the very first sentence, his tears began to flow uncontrollably. And he found himself slowly rising to the ceiling, looking down at himself reading the book. It seemed he already knew the contents of the book. He continued to rise and expand, looking down on the houses, roads, forests, the moon, the stars... until the entire universe, omnipresent, or nowhere at all. And it was as if the entire history of the universe, the countless civilizations on Earth, flowed before his eyes. It was all a grand illusion. Everything was a grand illusion. "It was actually I who created everything, it was I who thought up everything. There is not a single drop that was not created by me. I am the sun, I am the moon, I am the Earth, I am every stone on Earth, every tree, every sentient being. I am every baby, I am the babies not yet born. I am the deceased, I am those after death. I am everything. There is not a single thing that is not me." This experience was "world-destroying" for him, destroying the entire world he had built in the past. And he discovered that besides the "me" who was reading the sutra, there was an unmoving part (of consciousness). This part enjoyed unrestrained freedom and experienced boundless joy. His entire being was renewed. From his body to his personality, everything changed. His way of seeing the world was different. Everything was inverted. What he used to care about and pursue was all superfluous, all ignorance.

He wanted to become a monk. He spent a long time in silent meditation, even in seclusion, and often fasted. In a very short time, various English versions of Buddhist scriptures were brought to him. But apart from the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, and a part of the Shurangama Sutra, he did not read other Buddhist scriptures. These classics seemed to generate a huge "field of tranquility." He only needed to sit next to them to feel it, without needing to read the words. And all his experiences could be verified in the classics.

One day, he received a book. On the cover was an old gentleman with flowing white hair, Master Xuyun. His tears flowed out again. He couldn't help but sit down cross-legged. As a result, many images appeared before his eyes, like a "flashback." He returned to his childhood, before birth, his past life, the life before that, and the life before that. Suddenly, every word of the Heart Sutra came alive, one by one. Corresponding to his realizations, they went in reverse from the last word, all the way to the first word. Suddenly, his body exploded. Not an outward explosion, but an implosion. "It wasn't just like I was split open from the top of my head, but this splitting was cracking from all directions, even shattering. It suddenly opened up even from under my feet, cracking like an earthquake. It was like a bottomless pit below, and the remaining fragments just fell down from here. Nothing was left, not even nothingness. Cleanly gone." When he opened his eyes, a whole night had passed. The sun was rising. He said he saw the image of Shakyamuni Buddha 2,600 years ago, opening his eyes and looking at the universe. The sun he felt as a child appeared again, as bright as ten million suns, expanding to the size of an entire galaxy, but it also "imploded" without leaving a single speck. He saw his countless lives, from one space to another, not just in the human realm, but also in the celestial and hell realms. In the end, everything "exploded"... During that time, it was as if his third eye was opened. He could see other people's illnesses, auras, spirits, and predict the future. But finally, one day, all states were gone. All supernatural powers were gone. Those were all products of the mind. In the end, there were no thoughts at all. Just peace and happiness.

He now entered a state where, when brushing his teeth and looking in the mirror, he didn't know who was inside. When working in the laboratory, he didn't know who was working. At lunch, he didn't know who was eating. Whether it was experimenting, teaching, giving lectures, writing, or eating, it seemed everything was done naturally by the body. He could sit in a corner, and a whole night would pass. Sometimes a whole weekend would pass. No thoughts at all. He was aware of the sounds around him, but it seemed everything had nothing to do with him. It turned out this was the state of complete union with "Oneness," that effortless "knowing" and "awareness." What "imploded" was the "little self," the identity that was one with the little self. This way, he could easily stay on two levels. "I suddenly realized that in the past, I had completely mistaken my own identity, thinking that I was this body looking at everything. If I shift my attention to a motionless background, for example, the mirror in front of me, I would suddenly find that everything in front of the mirror, including this world, has disappeared. Or a more correct expression is: this mirror no longer needs to reflect a person or a world, and thus its function is saved. In this way, I naturally unlocked what I would call, decades later, omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence. It's because we can place our consciousness on the infinitely large background at any time. We don't need to perceive or know anything, but can easily stay in the 'awareness' or 'knowing' that is in front. There is no need to perceive or know anything. And just like that, we easily jump out of the framework set by humans. Through this limited life, we live out the infinitely large totality. The contradiction this brings also disappears."

In the following decades, he wanted to share with people, to communicate with various teachers, but found it impossible. Because the other party had not experienced what he had experienced, they couldn't understand what he was saying. This is like us un-enlightened people reading his books. We recognize every word, we seem to understand everything, and we may even completely agree with what he says in theory, but we are still separated by this mirror and cannot experience it from that angle.

He likes to go into nature, and no matter where he sits, many animals will come and approach him. This is because a person with "no thoughts" will generate a field of tranquility that animals are involuntarily drawn to. So one day, he suddenly understood what "love" is. "I suddenly understood from my heart what love is. Not the love of the past in the human world with parents, siblings, and others. This love has no object, and there is no one loving anyone. At most, I can only say it is loving myself. But this 'self' is actually the whole, it is 'Oneness.' It is 'Oneness' loving 'Oneness.' Plus, besides 'Oneness,' besides the whole, everything else is a product of my brain. No separation exists. Not only is there no one who can love anyone, there is no 'me' who can love 'you' or others." That is to say, loving parents, loving children, loving a spouse, loving friends, etc., are not true love because they have specific objects. Only love without an object is true love. True love is not produced from the mind, but originates from "Oneness" and returns to "Oneness," like "self-love."

One time, he was sitting on a large rock and suddenly had another earth-shattering discovery: this rock has life and breath, it's just that its breath is so slow that humans cannot perceive it. Similarly, everything has life. They are all particles created by consciousness. That is why we are all interconnected as one. "I also suddenly discovered that there is no such thing as spiritual practice or enlightenment. Because everything, enlightenment or being enlightened, even the Earth under my feet, is originally our essence. At most, it is just consciousness, the consciousness that each of us originally has. Sitting on the rock, I further realized that there is actually no such thing as love, happiness, and tranquility. These are, at most, just more illusions created by the mind. I now understand. What I wanted to pursue, I already had, I already was. Even spiritual practice is inverted. The enlightenment that spiritual practice seeks is also inverted. Enlightenment is what I originally have, yet I seem to be trying to find what I already have through practice. When I realized this at that moment, I had a big laugh." He believes that various spiritual practices, such as yoga, meditation, chanting mantras, visualization, prayer, and so on, can purify the body and mind, allowing one to reach a state of quiet and concentration, but they cannot bring one back to "Oneness." Because they and Oneness are on two different levels, the two sides simply cannot connect. In other words, if we want to jump out of the mind through various methods projected by the mind, it is impossible. In the end, "the mind itself is the biggest obstacle to enlightenment."

So what to do? It's simple, move the mind aside, let it go, and everything is tranquility. We naturally return home. One day, he opened the curtains. The sun was just rising. He suddenly realized: the sun is God. Everything before his eyes is God. Everyone is God. There is no other God besides oneself. "It turns out I am actually this perfect embodiment. I myself am the answer I have been searching for my whole life. I am eternal. I am infinitely large. I am everything. Everything is me."

As mentioned earlier, his parents were kind and simple people. However, unfortunately, in 1989, when he was 31, his parents went to a hospital for a physical check-up while traveling in Taiwan. Because his mother was experiencing dizziness, a blood sugar test was added at the last minute. She was supposed to drink a glass of glucose water but was mistakenly given an anesthetic. From then on, she fell into a coma and passed away nearly 30 years later. This was clearly a major medical accident, but Dr. Yang did not mention the detailed cause and effect in his book. It was in this book that I saw the full story (the process mentioned earlier). He had premonitions at two moments: when his mother had the accident and when she was about to pass away. He said, "Even though I knew in my heart that all the karma in this human world cannot be stopped, the best way is at most just to accept. Accept everything. Through acceptance, through surrender, can it be allowed to correct itself. But I remember at that time, my heart was still praying very earnestly, hoping to influence the outcome." Obviously, his prayers did not affect the outcome. When his mother was about to leave the world, he sensed it. After he and his three siblings all rushed back (to Taiwan), his mother took her last breath.

Dr. Yang says that consciousness has two tracks. One is controlled by karma, following cause and effect. Everything is already predetermined. But the other track is not affected by karma. It has neither birth nor death and has never undergone any change. Therefore, whether a person becomes a monk, whether they have spiritual roots, whether they have merit, whether they have a profession, or whatever their profession is, these have no relation to their enlightenment. These are different tracks of consciousness. The two tracks are not mutually exclusive but overlapping. Therefore, anyone can realize the truth of life. Of course, an enlightened person, as long as they still have this body, this body will still follow the workings of karma, still experience birth, aging, sickness, and death. He also repeatedly emphasized that the Earth is rapidly raising its frequency, thereby bringing about unprecedented, enormous momentum for transformation. Therefore, in the past, a practitioner might practice for a lifetime to achieve some accomplishment. But this time, no matter what field, no matter what profession, no matter what social class, anyone can transform this time.

Now, let me talk about the answer I received. The day after I wrote the email to Dr. Yang, I chatted with an American viewer, "Sister Rose," for four hours. And she is an ordinary person with no "special abilities" and no magical experiences. But she is one of Dr. Yang's already awakened students. Because she did not want to show her face or be heard, I asked her to write this short written testimony. Next, let's enjoy the rose garden in her backyard while we listen to her testimony.

"For many years, my search and pursuit of faith was without the right method and I couldn't find the entrance. I often asked myself, what is my purpose in this life? What are the lessons I need to learn? In the fall of 2019, I heard Dr. Yang Ding-I's name for the first time. That day, I accidentally saw a video. Out of curiosity for the six words 'unreasonable happiness,' I clicked it open. From then on, my spiritual world was completely changed. The resonance from that video made me eager to learn more. I started by listening to the book clubs, especially the first episode, 'Loss is the Greatest Grace.' I listened to it repeatedly, crying my eyes out many times. It was both a release of inexplicable grievances and a joy of being deeply understood. The shock it brought to my body and mind made me develop a deep trust in Dr. Yang. I listened eagerly, and gradually felt that besides the warmth and stability brought by his voice and words, he seemed to be trying to convey some message, but I couldn't grasp it for a while. Dr. Yang said he is just a Messenger, a postman, a messenger of information, 'paving the red carpet' for the arrival of the future Buddha Maitreya and the future Christ. So what is he conveying? I had to figure it out. I repeatedly listened to the audio, read the 'The Totality of Life' series of books, persisted in doing the practices of 'surrender' and 'self-inquiry,' and always immersed myself in unconditional gratitude. About half a year later, one day, it was like a switch was flipped from left to right, with a 'click.' It felt like falling into an abyss, but I knew I would be safely held. Suddenly, I experienced what the Doctor called 'Being,' 'Awareness.' I couldn't help but smile to myself. So this is what the Doctor was trying to convey to all of us time and time again! Isn't it the most natural, most relaxed state that each of us has? It's just that without someone pointing it out, one wouldn't even know that such a state exists. Usually, limited by the five senses and thoughts, we take the world before our eyes as the entirety, living as the entirety. In fact, just by making a slight shift in attention, one can immediately experience the existence of a larger, unmoving background. It turns out it's that simple. To say it is 'empty,' it can be boundlessly empty. To say it is 'full,' it can be so full that not even a needle can be inserted. It is abundant, free, and joyful. It is 'here, now.' Ah, I've received the message! Next, I immediately understood the classic words in the Heart Sutra, Diamond Sutra, Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, and Tao Te Ching. After a glimpse of the beauty of 'Being' and 'Awareness,' I once thought, 'Okay, I know it now,' and was ready to put it aside. It seemed as if the Doctor saw through my thoughts. At the book club, the sentence 'Why not treat yourself as a guinea pig and do an experiment?' once again deeply penetrated my heart. I had no choice but to obediently continue with 'Being' and 'Awareness.' After several years of practice, the deeper my experience of 'Being' and 'Awareness' became, the more I felt it was a treasure. Always keeping myself in a state of awareness, I became much calmer towards people and things. Of course, I am very clear where this 'calm' comes from. Although I have never met Dr. Yang Ding-I, I regard the Doctor as the most important master in my spiritual pursuit. Even though the Doctor often says that no one is anyone's teacher, the power within is the greatest teacher, I still want to thank the Doctor very much for using his life field to bless and stabilize our body, mind, and spirit practice. The Doctor is like the 'hand pointing to the moon,' the 'boat crossing the river.' Following his guidance, I saw the Buddha-nature and divine nature that everyone possesses, which is also our free and natural essence. Even though I have not yet taken refuge in any religion, I can live out the totality of life, live out light, live out love, and contribute a little bit of strength to the evolution of Earth's consciousness!"

My goodness. Was this sent by the universe, or was it sent by Dr. Yang? I don't know. On the same day, I also received a very polite email from Dr. Yang's secretary, tactfully declining the exclusive interview. But I had already received the answer, hadn't I? Last December, a viewer from Toronto also chatted with me privately for four hours. It was she who introduced me to Teacher Xiong Pang. It can be said that Teacher Xiong Pang gave me, someone who originally wanted to "lie flat" and just be an "observer," a glimmer of hope. And that month, I also had a "dream": in a large underground arcade, there were many, many levels and all kinds of game machines. You could play by inserting a coin. But I wasn't interested in anything, didn't want to play anything. I just felt hopeless in my heart. Later, I asked Teacher Xiong Pang what this meant. He said: "Your despair with the illusion (the games may represent samsara) shows that a great turning point for your soul is about to arrive. The path to liberation is full of hope."

"You and I were originally awake, we just didn't know it, or maybe we forgot. However, as long as you know or remember, you and I are already living out the awakening we originally have." By the way, if you are also a person who is already awakened (or is awakening), no matter which path you are on, if you are willing to share, please send an email to Sister Jianghu, okay? My email address is in my channel description. You don't have to show your face or be heard, just like this "Sister Rose." Your story will surely inspire thousands of people walking on the path of awakening.

Finally, I really can't help but want to cry. How lucky is Sister Jianghu? Because of this channel, I have gotten to know so many guests and viewers. We are all fellow travelers!

Soh

简体:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/blog-post_89.html

英文:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/chatgpt-5-thinkings-translation-of.html


ChatGPT 5 思維模式根據來自 https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html 的提示,將《巴希耶經》和《迦羅迦經》從巴利文原文翻譯成中文。

Bahiya Sutta

《自說經》1.10 〈婆希耶經〉 


如是我聞:有一次,世尊住在舍衛城祇樹給孤獨園。那時,穿樹皮衣的婆希耶住在海邊的蘇波羅迦,受人敬重、恭敬、尊崇、供養,獲得衣、食、住處以及病緣藥等資具。他在獨處靜居時心里生起這樣的念頭:“凡是這個世界中已是阿羅漢或已入阿羅漢道的人,我也是其中之一。”

這時,有一位天神——曾是婆希耶的親屬——憐憫他、愿意利益他,以自己的心知他心中的思惟,前來對他說:“婆希耶,你不是阿羅漢,也沒有入阿羅漢道;而且你并沒有那種能令你成阿羅漢或入阿羅漢道的修行。”

婆希耶問:“那么,在這個與諸天同在的世界里,誰是阿羅漢,誰已入阿羅漢道?”天神說:“婆希耶,北方有座城市名叫舍衛。那里當下有位世尊住世,他是阿羅漢、正等正覺。那位世尊確是真正的阿羅漢,他為成就阿羅漢而說法。”

婆希耶受天神策勵,立即從蘇波羅迦出發,一路每處只住一晚,來到舍衛城,前往祇樹給孤獨園。那時,許多比丘在露地經行。婆希耶走近他們問道:“各位尊者,如今世尊——阿羅漢、正等正覺——住在哪里?我們想見那位世尊、阿羅漢、正等正覺。”比丘們說:“婆希耶,世尊已經進城托缽了。”

婆希耶便迅速離開祇園,進入舍衛城,看見世尊在城中托缽:儀容可親,見者歡悅;諸根寂靜,心亦寂靜;已得最上調伏與寂止;已調善護,攝持諸根,是一位大龍(nāga)。見到后,他上前在世尊足前頂禮,說道:“愿世尊為我說法;愿善逝為我說法,使我長久得利益、得安樂。”

世尊對婆希耶說:“婆希耶,現在不是時候,我已進城托缽。”

第二次,婆希耶說:“世尊與我二人的生命無常難測。愿世尊為我說法;愿善逝為我說法,使我長久得利益、得安樂。”世尊第二次說:“婆希耶,現在不是時候,我已進城托缽。”

第三次,婆希耶又說:“世尊與我二人的生命無常難測。愿世尊為我說法;愿善逝為我說法,使我長久得利益、得安樂。”

“因此,婆希耶,你應這樣學習:于見唯見,于聞唯聞,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知。婆希耶,你應當這樣學習。若對你而言,于見唯見,于聞唯聞,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知;那么,于彼無有你。既于彼無有你,則不在彼;既不在彼,則不在此、不在彼,亦不在兩者之間。唯此即是苦之盡。”

于是,世尊以這簡短的說法開示,婆希耶當下不取著,心從諸漏中解脫。

世尊給了婆希耶這番簡要教誡后就離開了。不久,世尊剛離去,一頭護犢的母牛把婆希耶頂死。

世尊在舍衛城托缽,食后回程,和許多比丘一起出城,看見婆希耶已經去世。見狀,世尊對比丘們說:“比丘們,把婆希耶的遺體抬到擔架上,抬出去火化,并為他建一座塔。你們的同梵行者圓寂了。”

“是,世尊。”比丘們遵命行事,把遺體抬出火化,又為他建塔,然后前往世尊處,頂禮后在一旁坐下,說道:“世尊,樹皮衣婆希耶的遺體已火化,塔也建好了。他的去處、后世如何?”世尊說:“比丘們,婆希耶是智者,依法隨法而行,也沒有在法上擾亂于我。比丘們,樹皮衣婆希耶已究竟寂滅。”

這時,世尊了知其義,當下說此自說偈:


“那里水與地,

火與風都立足不住;

群星不照耀,

太陽不出現;

月亮也不映照,

那里沒有黑暗。


當牟尼婆羅門,

以自身智慧親證時,

于色與無色,

于樂與苦,

都得解脫。”


**第十。**這首自說偈也是世尊所說,我如此聽聞。

第一品:菩提品。

品頌:三菩提、尼拘陀;諸長老與迦葉;波婆、僧伽摩吉、發結行者;以及婆希耶——合為十首。



增支部4集24經

黑園經


Kāḷakārāmasutta


如是我聞:一時,世尊住在娑伽多(Saketa)的迦羅迦園(Kāḷakārāma)。當時,世尊召喚比丘們:“比丘們。”

“尊師。”諸比丘應答。世尊說:

“比丘們,在這個與諸天、魔、梵天同在的世間,在這包含沙門、婆羅門、諸天與人類的眾類當中,凡是所見、所聞、所感、所知、所達、所求、由心探究的一切——我都知道。比丘們,凡是所見、所聞、所感、所知、所達、所求、由心探究的一切——我已親證知。那是如來所知,然而如來不立于彼。

“比丘們,若我說:‘對于這世間凡所見、所聞、所感、所知、所達、所求、由心探究的一切,我不知道,’那就是我的妄語。若我說:‘我既知道又不知道,’也是同樣不當。若我說:‘我既非知道,也非不知道,’那對我來說是過失。


“因此,比丘們,如來看見應見之法時,不作‘已見’之認定,不作‘未見’之認定,不作‘應見’之認定,也不作‘見者’之認定;

“聽聞應聞之法時,不作‘已聞’之認定,不作‘未聞’之認定,不作‘應聞’之認定,也不作‘聞者’之認定;

“感受應感之法時,不作‘已感’之認定,不作‘未感’之認定,不作‘應感’之認定,也不作‘感者’之認定;

“了知應知之法時,不作‘已知’之認定,不作‘未知’之認定,不作‘應知’之認定,也不作‘知者’之認定。


“因此,比丘們,就在所見、所聞、所感、所知諸法之中,如來是如是者(tādī),唯是那樣;并且我說:除此如是之安住外,別無更高或更勝妙的安住。


“凡任何所見、所聞、或所感,

被他人執為真實的,

如是者在自我約束者之中,

不向他人宣稱它為真,亦不宣稱為妄。

既已預見這支箭,

眾生于彼黏著執取;

‘我知,我見,正是如此。’——

如來對此無有執著。”


第四。

Soh

繁體: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/blog-post_46.html

英文:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/chatgpt-5-thinkings-translation-of.html


ChatGPT 5 思维模式根据来自 https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html 的提示,将《巴希耶经》和《迦罗迦经》从巴利文原文翻译成中文。

Bahiya Sutta

《自说经》1.10 〈婆希耶经〉(简体修订版)


如是我闻:有一次,世尊住在舍卫城祇树给孤独园。那时,穿树皮衣的婆希耶住在海边的苏波罗迦,受人敬重、恭敬、尊崇、供养,获得衣、食、住处以及病缘药等资具。他在独处静居时心里生起这样的念头:“凡是这个世界中已是阿罗汉或已入阿罗汉道的人,我也是其中之一。”

这时,有一位天神——曾是婆希耶的亲属——怜悯他、愿意利益他,以自己的心知他心中的思惟,前来对他说:“婆希耶,你不是阿罗汉,也没有入阿罗汉道;而且你并没有那种能令你成阿罗汉或入阿罗汉道的修行。”

婆希耶问:“那么,在这个与诸天同在的世界里,谁是阿罗汉,谁已入阿罗汉道?”天神说:“婆希耶,北方有座城市名叫舍卫。那里当下有位世尊住世,他是阿罗汉、正等正觉。那位世尊确是真正的阿罗汉,他为成就阿罗汉而说法。”

婆希耶受天神策励,立即从苏波罗迦出发,一路每处只住一晚,来到舍卫城,前往祇树给孤独园。那时,许多比丘在露地经行。婆希耶走近他们问道:“各位尊者,如今世尊——阿罗汉、正等正觉——住在哪里?我们想见那位世尊、阿罗汉、正等正觉。”比丘们说:“婆希耶,世尊已经进城托钵了。”

婆希耶便迅速离开祇园,进入舍卫城,看见世尊在城中托钵:仪容可亲,见者欢悦;诸根寂静,心亦寂静;已得最上调伏与寂止;已调善护,摄持诸根,是一位大龙(nāga)。见到后,他上前在世尊足前顶礼,说道:“愿世尊为我说法;愿善逝为我说法,使我长久得利益、得安乐。”

世尊对婆希耶说:“婆希耶,现在不是时候,我已进城托钵。”

第二次,婆希耶说:“世尊与我二人的生命无常难测。愿世尊为我说法;愿善逝为我说法,使我长久得利益、得安乐。”世尊第二次说:“婆希耶,现在不是时候,我已进城托钵。”

第三次,婆希耶又说:“世尊与我二人的生命无常难测。愿世尊为我说法;愿善逝为我说法,使我长久得利益、得安乐。”

“因此,婆希耶,你应这样学习:于见唯见,于闻唯闻,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知。婆希耶,你应当这样学习。若对你而言,于见唯见,于闻唯闻,于所感唯所感,于所知唯所知;那么,于彼无有你。既于彼无有你,则不在彼;既不在彼,则不在此、不在彼,亦不在两者之间。唯此即是苦之尽。”

于是,世尊以这简短的说法开示,婆希耶当下不取着,心从诸漏中解脱。

世尊给了婆希耶这番简要教诫后就离开了。不久,世尊刚离去,一头护犊的母牛把婆希耶顶死。

世尊在舍卫城托钵,食后回程,和许多比丘一起出城,看见婆希耶已经去世。见状,世尊对比丘们说:“比丘们,把婆希耶的遗体抬到担架上,抬出去火化,并为他建一座塔。你们的同梵行者圆寂了。”

“是,世尊。”比丘们遵命行事,把遗体抬出火化,又为他建塔,然后前往世尊处,顶礼后在一旁坐下,说道:“世尊,树皮衣婆希耶的遗体已火化,塔也建好了。他的去处、后世如何?”世尊说:“比丘们,婆希耶是智者,依法随法而行,也没有在法上扰乱于我。比丘们,树皮衣婆希耶已究竟寂灭。”

这时,世尊了知其义,当下说此自说偈:


“那里水与地,

火与风都立足不住;

群星不照耀,

太阳不出现;

月亮也不映照,

那里没有黑暗。


当牟尼婆罗门,

以自身智慧亲证时,

于色与无色,

于乐与苦,

都得解脱。”


**第十。**这首自说偈也是世尊所说,我如此听闻。

第一品:菩提品。

品颂:三菩提、尼拘陀;诸长老与迦叶;波婆、僧伽摩吉、发结行者;以及婆希耶——合为十首。



增支部4集24经

黑园经


Kāḷakārāmasutta


如是我闻:一时,世尊住在娑伽多(Saketa)的迦罗迦园(Kāḷakārāma)。当时,世尊召唤比丘们:“比丘们。”

“尊师。”诸比丘应答。世尊说:

“比丘们,在这个与诸天、魔、梵天同在的世间,在这包含沙门、婆罗门、诸天与人类的众类当中,凡是所见、所闻、所感、所知、所达、所求、由心探究的一切——我都知道。比丘们,凡是所见、所闻、所感、所知、所达、所求、由心探究的一切——我已亲证知。那是如来所知,然而如来不立于彼。

“比丘们,若我说:‘对于这世间凡所见、所闻、所感、所知、所达、所求、由心探究的一切,我不知道,’那就是我的妄语。若我说:‘我既知道又不知道,’也是同样不当。若我说:‘我既非知道,也非不知道,’那对我来说是过失。


“因此,比丘们,如来看见应见之法时,不作‘已见’之认定,不作‘未见’之认定,不作‘应见’之认定,也不作‘见者’之认定;

“听闻应闻之法时,不作‘已闻’之认定,不作‘未闻’之认定,不作‘应闻’之认定,也不作‘闻者’之认定;

“感受应感之法时,不作‘已感’之认定,不作‘未感’之认定,不作‘应感’之认定,也不作‘感者’之认定;

“了知应知之法时,不作‘已知’之认定,不作‘未知’之认定,不作‘应知’之认定,也不作‘知者’之认定。


“因此,比丘们,就在所见、所闻、所感、所知诸法之中,如来是如是者(tādī),唯是那样;并且我说:除此如是之安住外,别无更高或更胜妙的安住。


“凡任何所见、所闻、或所感,

被他人执为真实的,

如是者在自我约束者之中,

不向他人宣称它为真,亦不宣称为妄。

既已预见这支箭,

众生于彼黏着执取;

‘我知,我见,正是如此。’——

如来对此无有执著。”


第四。

Soh

简体:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/blog-post_58.html

英文(原文):https://www.emptyskysangha.com/talks-and-essays

禪師道格拉斯·菲利普斯: 

《關于婆希耶的經》,第1講(Ud. I.10)

這次開示也許會分成好幾講,因為它談的是我在巴利經典里最喜愛的一部經。我的受訓過程里有一部分,是要對幾部較著名的佛陀開示十分熟悉;那套文獻里有許多極其精彩的教法。但就描寫與情感而言,我覺得不少巴利文獻略顯干澀,所以我的“最愛清單”并不長;《婆希耶經》正是其中之一。

我會先把整部經讀一遍,讓大家對它的戲劇性敘事有個整體感。(順帶說一句,“戲劇性敘事”這樣的詞,我一般不會用來形容大多數經文。)然后我再逐段談談那些我覺得最有意思、最受用的部分。經文大致如下:

“我聞如是:一時,世尊住舍衛城祇樹給孤獨園。那時,穿樹皮衣的婆希耶住在海邊的蘇波羅伽城。人們對他敬奉、尊重、禮敬、供養,供給衣、食、住處與病者醫藥等所需。他獨處靜居時,心里生起這樣的念頭:‘在這世間諸天與人當中,凡是阿羅漢或正行于阿羅漢道者,我是不是其中之一?’(阿羅漢是“放下重擔者”,已從苦中解脫。)

這時,一位先前與婆希耶有血緣的天女——她對他懷有慈悲,希求他的善利,并以自心了知他心中起的念頭——來到他住處,對他說:‘婆希耶,你既不是阿羅漢,也沒有入阿羅漢之道;你甚至連將來能成阿羅漢、能入那條道的修法都沒有。’

婆希耶不加遲疑地追問:‘那么,在這有諸天的世間里,究竟誰才真是阿羅漢,或已入那條道?’

她說:‘婆希耶,北方的舍衛城里,正有世尊——一位正自覺的阿羅漢——住在那里。他確是真正的阿羅漢,并宣說通往阿羅漢果的法。’

婆希耶被天女當場警策,隨即離開蘇波羅伽;一晝夜之間,他直奔到世尊住處。他見到幾位比丘正在戶外經行,便徑直上前問道:‘尊者們,世尊如今住在哪里?我必須立刻見他。’比丘們告訴他,佛陀已經入城托缽。

婆希耶急忙入城,見到佛陀正在行乞。佛陀儀容安詳,令人起信;諸根寂靜,心地寂定,已得最上調伏、寂止,調御、守護、寂然,威儀具足。婆希耶趨前,五體投地,頭面禮足,祈請道:‘世尊,請為我說法!善逝,請為我說法,使我得長久安樂!’

佛陀對他說:‘婆希耶,現在不是時候;我們已入城托缽。’

婆希耶第二次祈請:‘圣者啊,世尊的壽命未可知,我的壽命也未可知。請為我說法,善逝,使我得快樂解脫。’佛陀再次婉拒,說此時不宜,因為他們正值托缽之中。

第三次,婆希耶以同樣的迫切再次祈請,仍以他與佛陀未來未可知為由,懇請說法,令他從苦中解脫。

這一次,佛陀應允道:‘那么,婆希耶,你應當這樣訓練:凡是見到色時,唯是所見;凡是聽到聲時,唯是所聞;凡是嗅到香時,唯是所嗅;凡是嘗到味時,唯是所嘗;凡是觸到受時,唯是所觸;凡有一念生起,唯是其念。如此,則“你”不在。既然“你”不在,你就不會被發現在此世、彼世或兩者之間。那就是苦的終結。’

當下,僅憑如來這簡短的法語,婆希耶便從一切由執取、貪求、瞋恚與無明所生的苦中解脫。佛陀隨即離開。

不久之后,婆希耶被一頭護犢的母牛撞擊而死。佛陀托缽畢、受用午食之后,與眾多比丘離城而回,途中見到婆希耶破碎的遺體,便告誡比丘們:‘諸比丘,把婆希耶的遺體抬走,火化,并為他立一處紀念塔;他是與你們同梵行者,如今已逝。’

比丘們遵命行事,回到佛前坐下。其中一位問道:‘世尊,婆希耶的遺體已火化,紀念塔也立好了。他的去處與后世如何?’

佛陀說:‘諸比丘,穿樹皮衣的婆希耶是位智慧人;他以法行于法,并未以法上之諸問題擾亂于我。諸比丘,婆希耶已經完全解脫、自由無礙。’


佛陀領會此事意旨,當下而說偈:


‘彼處水、地、火、風無所依,

群星不照耀,

日輪不可見,

月亮不出現,

黑暗不存焉。

當一位牟尼以智慧親證于此,

則于色與非色、

于樂與苦,

皆得解脫。’


好了,這或許稱不上“奧斯卡級別”的戲劇,但就巴利經文來說,已相當不俗。我們先從婆希耶談起。

初見他時,他是位有成就、受敬重的導師——照今人的話說,他樣樣不缺。若活在今天,他大概會有一家氣派的禪修中心,門下有許多崇敬的學員,寫過一兩本書,或許上過奧普拉的節目,肯定還會在 Kripalu、Omega 的課程手冊上有彩頁,甚至登上《瑜伽雜志》。這些并不足以讓婆希耶顯得獨特、或特別可敬;他的懷疑也同樣不是。問題不只在于他懷疑自己的理解是否深入、修行是否得力、解脫是否真實;而是他容許這種自我質詢、這種懷疑,停留了一會兒。他不試圖借更深的定力把它趕走,也不輕率地將其否定。就像對待呼吸或一個公案,婆希耶與他的疑共處,真誠地作這位棘手客人的主人。

接著,“天女”——你也可以把她看作代表女性智慧與探問的一個面向——登場了。她以近乎殘酷的直白挑戰他;不僅證實了他對自身成就的懷疑,還告訴他:即便有那些所謂“成就”,他連“入門”都談不上。簡而言之,她毫不含糊地指出:他的修行一文不值,他的“靈性成就”不過虛妄。

這類事并非只發生在古代故事里。它也會發生在我們身上,而且可能帶來沉重打擊。也許我們確實很用功:規律打坐、飲食得當、跟隨善知識練習體式;也許我們也接受了師資訓練,或正有這樣的打算,生活看似順利。又或者,我們只是勉強維持著一套最低限度的練習——我們自己也許并未意識到,那不過是最低限度。不論處境如何,生活隨時可能拋來一記挑戰,讓我們深深懷疑這條路是否值得:失業、抑郁、自我形象遭重創、重要關系破裂、健康受損……我們發覺自己在恐懼、憤怒、被背叛的感受里手忙腳亂,或者其他一鍋亂燉的情緒里掙扎。我們質疑自己的價值、質疑修行的價值、質疑師長與教法的價值。又或者,苦惱在于:修了這么多個月、這么多年,我們仍會對路上的司機、孩子或伴侶大喊大叫——修行的預期與現實的落差,一再刺眼。

深度的懷疑,是我們觀照人生時的一處岔路口。如何前行?一條岔路,是無力、放棄、自責、絕望與苦澀之道——小寫的“doubt”(懷疑)。我們干脆逃走。這不同于“戰略性撤退”,并非為了重整旗鼓、讓熱度降一點再回來繼續;而是一路向下,直到我們自己看清它的徒勞。這是“死亡之路”,并不是通向“大神死”而復活的那條路,它只有死氣。另一條岔路,是修行之道:以正精進、毅力與勇氣,把眼前這次“襲擊”當作邀請,邀請我們檢視“自我”的運作:更深入地認識自我,認識它的執著與恐懼、它如何強加武斷的限制;把發生在我們身上的事與我們的反應,當作一面鏡子,哪怕這會帶來相當的痛感,也要更清楚地看見自己。我們聽見生命對自身發出的緊迫呼喚:看清我們怎樣把自己局限于狹隘;怎樣因未了的恐懼、厭惡、自我形象與無明,而不敢全然、鮮活、喜悅地活著。我們是否聽見那微弱卻清楚的聲音在提醒:我們所謂的“活著”,其實像一種緩慢的死亡?那聲音說:我們常以為自己勇敢而充分地活,可其實我們不曾珍重這份不可思議的當下恩賜。那聲音準確地指向我們縮回去的那些地方,挑戰我們別再自欺。我們是否愿意像婆希耶那樣提問?愿意問,并且真誠地聆聽答案?

有人問過德蘭修女(Mother Teresa)祈禱時都說些什么。她答:“我什么也不說,我在聽。”又問上帝對她說什么;她說:“祂也什么都不說;祂也在聽。”她補充說:如果你不懂,我也無法再多解釋。我們愿不愿意真正傾聽自己的生命?整日以全身心去聽:感受、觸受、視覺、嗅覺、味覺、聲音——凡是進入我們覺知的一切?也許我們并不想那樣聽,因為我們知道,一旦聽見,生命就會像當年改變婆希耶那樣,徹底改造我們;而這有點可怕。我得告訴你,這確實“危險”,因為真正的自由有時會打亂我們與他人的生活。但若我們不做,我們的生命就會在相當程度上活在陰影里,而結果就是:疑與一種纏人的不滿足會如影隨形,讓我們總覺得“缺了點什么”。不留神的話,我們會把這種“不完整”,一路背到墳墓里去。那就太可惜了。

接下來,是我認為此經“最重要的兩三處”之一,也最令我感佩、心生敬畏的一點:當被當頭棒喝——他的修行與成就全是空的——婆希耶沒有辯解、沒有合理化、沒有否認、沒有反擊。他做了兩件事:第一,他問:世上是否有這樣一位覺悟者,能教他如何解脫?第二,當得知確有其人且知其所在,他當機立斷去找。這時他不會先問:這位老師收不收費?進僧團要不要交月費?他不會等著召集一票隨從幫他背行李,也不會非要把出發前的大小事安排得妥妥帖帖。婆希耶放下一切,字面意義上的“放下一切”,然后直奔真理——直奔那位覺者。那是一種緊迫,一種毫不猶豫、唯一焦點的投入:婆希耶迫切渴望自由。想到我自己的老師們為此付出的偉大努力——他們對覺醒之道的全心奉獻;讀到婆希耶的榜樣;再讀到其他志士在這條圣道上作出的非凡犧牲——我便會覺得自己的努力是那么渺小、單薄,不足、近乎虛假;我會感到慚愧。然而,同樣也有一個美好的聲音在召喚著我、你、我們每一個人:我們都與你、我、他一樣,是“婆希耶”。我們看見,這門功課正如詩人所說:它是一種“極度單純的條件”,卻要求“絕對的一切”。我們也承認:自己還有許多路要走。也許我們做不到“放下一切”,但我們能不能開始認真審視那些我們死命抓住、并且毫無覺察地培植的執著?能不能在自處與待人上,誠實一點、不再那么愿意自欺?能不能不再相信那些自圓其說:比如“我其實坐得夠多了”、“我其實不太需要去閉關”等等,這些讓我們繼續活在恐懼立場、活在自我設限里、活在那一切阻礙我們把承諾帶向更深處的借口?能不能認真想一想:為什么我只是慢吞吞地向“真理”走去,而不是像婆希耶那樣,全速奔向它?同時,也可以追問:這“真理”究竟是什么?為了它,我們愿意犧牲什么?什么時候愿意?真理,是等在某個想象中的未來,被我們“尋獲”的東西?還是,它就在“現在”發生?請細細看:此刻,對你而言最真實、最確鑿的是什么?不是就有感受、就有聲音、就有念頭嗎?這一切是常是無常?它們會不會不請自來?你能否預測,下一刻會出現什么?——直奔你生命之“真”的路,或許不是去別處尋覓什么、去獲得你以為自己缺少的什么;它也許只是愿意轉身,徑直面向此時此地這一刻。也許,最真實的東西近在咫尺;而奔赴它的旅程,就在此刻發生,完全超越時間。

真正的修行不是樹立一個理想的修行或靈性生活模式、去奮力追逐,將其安放在遙不可及的未來。這只會在心中制造沖突,讓所謂“理想”與“現實”對立,也讓我們活在未來,而不是學會如何在此時此地全然地活。這是要我們像婆希耶那樣去做:愿意誠實檢視自己的生活與活法,然后立刻直接地依此而行。這意味著:愿意留心當下,留心我們真實的生命如何在此刻展開。開始看看、辨認出:我的理解與我實際的活法之間,哪里有落差、什么時候有落差?僅僅這一個練習,就可能讓我們的生命煥然一新。

還有一點讓我對婆希耶的態度佩服不已:那就是他的堅持與緊迫。他恭敬,卻鍥而不舍;柔和,卻不愿被推延到以后。他有一種明白透徹的洞見:除了“現在”,沒有別的時間。沒有什么可以推到將來;因為“將來”不僅不確定——它根本不存在。現在就是現在,這就是所有。克里希那穆提一次又一次地提醒我們:現在就醒來;現在就明白;現在就終結恐懼與苦。現在,是你能做你最重要之事的唯一時刻。我們說“我明天做”,可是“明天”永遠不會來;它總是“今天”。總是這一刻發生轉化與自由;總是這一刻我們會活、會愛、會死。永遠是像這樣的當下。

婆希耶的堅持之火,也由他對無常的覺知所點燃。未來如何,我們不知;未來不確定、不可預測,而我們活在一具極其脆弱的身體里——頭部挨一下合適的力量,人就像變了一個人似的。婆希耶清楚地意識到:死亡隨時相隨;他極善用這種覺知來助成自由。是什么在點燃我們緊迫的火?死亡觀當然做得到;一次不受歡迎的診斷或與死神擦肩而過,也常把我們從昏睡中驚醒:下一刻不屬于任何人;我們有選擇——就在現在,如何活這一刻。還有許多不那么戲劇性的方式,生命會呼喚我們回到永恒當下的完滿:電話鈴聲、嬰兒啼哭、擁抱所愛之人、松林深處傍晚金光、遠處烏鴉的叫聲……生命不斷在向自身發聲——我們只要聆聽。

于是有婆希耶,于是有我們。婆希耶是理想的學人;我們是現實的學人。我們能不能開始檢討:我究竟如何追求自己的自由?開始質問:我如何安排我的一天?開始追問:我為何而活?并且具體端詳:我究竟如何活著?我們能不能更密切地觀察:我們實際上是如何活的,一刻一刻,一天一天?我們愿意在多大程度上,通過把自己擺到自己面前,來挑戰自己、檢驗我們各種選擇的值得與否?第一個問題是:“我想怎樣活?”第二個問題是:“我實際上怎樣活?”——長久地與這兩問相處,本身就是極有益處、雖謙卑卻深刻的修行。

今晚差不多就到這里。下回,我們來看看佛陀如何回應婆希耶那發自肺腑的請益。  

 

《關于婆希耶的經》,第2講(Ud. I.10)


我們繼續談婆希耶與佛陀的相遇,以及佛陀對他迫切請法的回應。請記得:雖然婆希耶是因深刻的懷疑而來,并且明白自己既未解脫、又未依正道而修,但他已完全成熟,可以領受一則足以翻轉其生命的教導。他幾乎字面意義上“放下一切”,除了對覺醒高度凝聚的迫切,已將所有都清空。佛陀以極簡而有力的教言迎面相應:

“婆希耶,你應當這樣訓練自己:凡見色時,只是見;凡聞聲時,只是聞;凡嘗味時,只是嘗;凡觸受時,只是觸;凡有感時,只是感;凡有念起,只是念。于是,就沒有‘你’;每當沒有‘你’,你就不會被發現在此世、彼世或兩者之間。那就是苦的終結。”

理解這教言,至少有兩條路徑。其一,是緊隨佛陀字面所說:這是一套訓練心、訓練生活的法——要以過程的方式去練、去做。婆希耶是一口氣就“吞下去”,瞬間消化,頓時大悟。我們大多數人則需要把它當作修行,長久地熏修——然而,我們并不知道婆希耶在抵達那個“成熟可受教”的時刻之前,究竟修了多久。其實“漸修而頓悟”與“頓悟而漸修”并不矛盾;兩者都是真的,而且合起來,覆蓋了修行—證悟的一生全程。

所以,佛陀是在對婆希耶說,同時也在對我們每個人說。我們人人都是那位被叮囑“請如此訓練自己”的婆希耶。這是什么意思?我們該如何做?首先要明白,“只是聽、只是見、只是嘗、只是感、只是覺”的“只是”,到底是什么。舉例說:你朝窗外看樹——也許你脫口而出:“那是一棵橡樹。”你抬頭看天,會想:要下雪嗎?要下多少?閉關結束我趕得回去嗎?你聞到廚房飄來的香味,會想:午飯還有多久?休息真好啊……見、聞、嗅、嘗、觸之后,緊跟著是“可意/不可意”的受,再接著是思維,往往伴隨某種貪、瞋或迷;然后,心就把這些拼成一個“故事”。我們倏地遠離了當下、遠離了生命的實質。這常常構成“造苦”的配方,而不是自由與喜悅。這就是“分離”的動作——我猜,佛陀說“只是”時,絕非此意。“只是”指的是:當觀察者與所觀之間,沒有任何影像、念頭或記憶介入時,那里到底是什么。當沒有條件反射、沒有記憶經驗夾在中間,見就是見、聞就是聞……沒有隔閡,就親密無間。沒有“你”也沒有“我”,只有“這個”。然后,把“只是”也放下,把“這個”也放下,還剩什么?

當沒有“我/我所”,沒有那個把生命的自然完滿切裂成兩半的“你”,我們就直截了當地斬斷了那股分裂之根——那就是:思想自我認同、把萬法拆解的內在趨向。有人說過:人類最致命的妄想,就是去相信自己的念頭。所以,當在“聽”里只有“所聞”之時,對“聽”的親密已至極處——念頭無從生起;即使生起,也沒有“誰”去認同它。

但請理解:通往當下這份單純與完整的門,正是眼前這個當下。若此刻在的是恐懼、評斷、心霧沉沉……不管什么在這里,它也“只是這個”。當我們把這教法帶回日常關系里,事情就更有意思了。在靜修里,我們精心設置了一套簡化的條件,盡量降低復雜度;而凌晨三點起床安撫生病或受驚的孩子、被伴侶批評、堵車而錯過要緊約會——那是完全不同的環境。然而修法完全相同,訓練完全一樣。生命不論在何處、何種形態,都是“如此”;我們的功課,就是越來越完全、直接地迎面相見。以全然的注意,去相見恐懼、孤獨、悲慟、絕望——學會去愛“如其所是”的生命,而不是我想要的樣子。這是一條陡峭的修行。

尤其在閉關時,這類情形頻仍出現,正好讓我們練習“全心的注意”。長時間靜坐,身體會產生許多感受,其中不少不太舒服。我們往往沒有把它們當作“只是感受”而任其自明、自滅,反而讓念頭出來編故事,有時像史蒂芬·金小說一樣“嚇人”。這不是修“解脫”,而是修“造苦”。離開閉關的護持環境,我們通常會尋找各種方式逃離自己造出的“小地獄”。這些逃離并不高明,還會產生它們自己的苦:比如深夜進食來逃避孤獨,隨后又自我苛責……心對某個不愉快起了念頭,自己不喜歡,接著就找種種方法逃避自己。難怪我們常常覺得別扭、發散、矛盾如此之多!

修行之道——訓練自己之道——很簡單:學會與“所是”共處,如其所是地與之同在;讓此刻在這廣大、開闊的覺照原野中,充分地自我呈現,然后回到它來的地方——無盡地生起、無盡地消散,如云來云去、虛空廓然。你可以說:純然的“看”,就是我們本然的狀態;純然的“聽”,就是我們本然的狀態;看與聽,就是“覺醒”。我們醒在一口呼吸、醒在風扇的嗡鳴。覺醒是動態的、活潑的。于“見”唯“見”之際,自他之分蕩然不立,苦無由而起。“我們”什么也不做,因為在那一念無思、徹底契合的無時之中,沒有“能做之人”。也沒有過去、現在、未來;因為“只是這個”時,時間——思想的產物——不復存在。你不會被發現于未來、過去或現在;因為在無分離、無來去的處所,那個由思維制造的“你”并不存在。這一刻也許痛得要命,但沒有“誰”在制造“問題”。

當然,這不是一個靜態的“狀態”;“我們”總在出入其間。生命一直召喚我們醒來于“只是這個”,因為“這個”永遠是新的、獨特的、清新的。生命不斷問我們:你現在就來相見嗎?以憤怒、恐懼、背叛、憂傷、喜悅、幸福這類姿態現前——每次都有些微差異。這就是為什么我們稱這門功課為“覺醒的練習”。有時會出現重大“經驗”,清明與放下極為深切,或許轉瞬即逝,或許“持續很久”。我一位至友說,她越來越不敢輕信“開悟經驗”;從某個角度看,她完全正確。因為這些“開啟”有一個危險:我們把它們變成可供收藏的“戰利品”,讓記憶把它們凝固,反過來壯大自我,助長那種占有、追逐與分裂的“自我”。另一方面,它們也重要:它們標示著“可能性”,也會隨著時間,深化并增強我們自由與愛的能力,重新界定“我們是誰”。兩邊如何平衡?六祖慧能給了一個觀察:“就佛性而言,罪人與圣人并無差別。一念悟,凡夫即是佛;一念迷,佛亦還成凡夫。”事情總是如此往返。

讓我再以一個例子說明。我昨天開車下來時,聽著艾莉森·克勞斯的 CD。沒聽過她的朋友,我得說她是很棒的歌手,身邊也都是實力派樂手——但她能唱出一種“真的、真的很傷”的調子。我一路開著,開始受音樂感染,心情越來越低落,念頭也越來越灰(眾所周知,這“特別有幫助”)。忽然間,我覺察到身體略微塌下去——你知道我們傷心時,身體是怎樣往里萎縮的;呼吸也開始變短、變窄。就在那一剎那的覺察里,沒有“我”去做什么,呼吸自然拉長了一點,身體自然擴展了一點,視野自然打開了一點;下一刻,影像涌進眼底——暴風雪后,成千上萬被冰包裹的樹枝,在陽光下亮得炫目。整個過程里,心沒有在想;只有純然的感受、純然的看。在那無時的一刻,心完全醒著,忽然從與“傷心”的貼近,遷入與“下一個這個”的完全貼近。也許并沒有持續多久,但身心已處在另一種狀態;我把音樂關了,安安靜靜地開車。請留意:這一切的“法門”,就是那一剎那的“覺察傷心”,以及不試圖把它變成別的什么。也請留意:這一切一點也不“了不起”;它只是注意那一切構成“活著”的平常心境、感受與見聞。我們不必去別處找;只要開始珍惜:我們早已具足一切,足以在此時此地醒來與自由。

這也把我們帶向理解佛陀教言的另一種方式:把它當作一份對“廣大、無選擇的覺照”的邀請。我們可以逐一練習各個根門,可以以這種直接、質樸、親密的方式對治五蓋;我們也可以把一切同時打開:看、聽、覺、觸、嘗——一切同時發生;沒有分辨、沒有偏好、沒有選擇。所有根門全然敞開、歡迎、受持、警覺、活潑——讓“聽”變成整個身心的事:每一個毛孔、每一根毫毛,合為一片通體受持、活生生的“聽”。在這里,還有“誰”嗎?還有“我在聽”嗎?請你自己檢驗。它也許有點滑溜,因為當“你”只是聽、只是見、只是觸、只是嘗、只是嗅時,可能根本沒有一個人在“記錄”或“反思”——沒有“你”在那兒!當你注意到“分離”出現——心想要把當下變成另一個樣子——在“只是看見分離”的那一刻,會發生什么?當你一路走上“思維之路”,然后突然看見“我在想”的那一刻,會發生什么?那一刻的覺知里,有“你”嗎?如果“看見”本身就是“覺醒”,如果“聽見”本身就是“覺醒”,如果事情就是這么簡單、這么顯眼——那你可能會問:那我來閉關干什么?如果只是對那個念頭“如其所是地覺知”,會怎樣?這就是“覺醒的練習”;或者說得更貼切些:其實是“覺醒在練我們”。

總之,在這次閉關剩下的時光里,我們有一個很好的機會,繼續這份持續的覺醒與自知之練習。讓聲音、色彩、氣味、觸受、心情、感覺,一刻一刻地把我們召回真正的自己——召回到樸素的覺知——以我們生命每一刻獨一無二的方式,任它各展其相。當“你”不在時,呼喚與回應會自然地諧振、毫不費力。當出現掙扎、沖突或痛苦,也是在發生,它同樣可以被認識為“只是這個”。無所排除——凡來者皆有一席之地。恐懼坐在希望旁邊,希望挨著悲傷,悲傷對面是喜悅,旁邊是憤怒,憤怒旁邊是愛,如此等等。它們來,停留一陣,又離開——只要“我們”不在那里攔它們的路。當只剩“這個”時,覺知這位“主人”與任何來訪的“客人”,就處在完全的和諧之中。  

來源:Douglas Phillips, “The Sutta About Bahiya, Part 1 (Feb 4, 2005)” 與 “Part 2 (Feb 12, 2005)”,Empty Sky Sangha 官網。參見上文鏈接標注。

Soh

繁體: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/08/blog-post_3.html

英文(原文):https://www.emptyskysangha.com/talks-and-essays

禅师道格拉斯·菲利普斯: 

《关于婆希耶的经》,第1讲(Ud. I.10)

这次开示也许会分成好几讲,因为它谈的是我在巴利经典里最喜爱的一部经。我的受训过程里有一部分,是要对几部较著名的佛陀开示十分熟悉;那套文献里有许多极其精彩的教法。但就描写与情感而言,我觉得不少巴利文献略显干涩,所以我的“最爱清单”并不长;《婆希耶经》正是其中之一。

我会先把整部经读一遍,让大家对它的戏剧性叙事有个整体感。(顺带说一句,“戏剧性叙事”这样的词,我一般不会用来形容大多数经文。)然后我再逐段谈谈那些我觉得最有意思、最受用的部分。经文大致如下:

“我闻如是:一时,世尊住舍卫城祇树给孤独园。那时,穿树皮衣的婆希耶住在海边的苏波罗伽城。人们对他敬奉、尊重、礼敬、供养,供给衣、食、住处与病者医药等所需。他独处静居时,心里生起这样的念头:‘在这世间诸天与人当中,凡是阿罗汉或正行于阿罗汉道者,我是不是其中之一?’(阿罗汉是“放下重担者”,已从苦中解脱。)

这时,一位先前与婆希耶有血缘的天女——她对他怀有慈悲,希求他的善利,并以自心了知他心中起的念头——来到他住处,对他说:‘婆希耶,你既不是阿罗汉,也没有入阿罗汉之道;你甚至连将来能成阿罗汉、能入那条道的修法都没有。’

婆希耶不加迟疑地追问:‘那么,在这有诸天的世间里,究竟谁才真是阿罗汉,或已入那条道?’

她说:‘婆希耶,北方的舍卫城里,正有世尊——一位正自觉的阿罗汉——住在那里。他确是真正的阿罗汉,并宣说通往阿罗汉果的法。’

婆希耶被天女当场警策,随即离开苏波罗伽;一昼夜之间,他直奔到世尊住处。他见到几位比丘正在户外经行,便径直上前问道:‘尊者们,世尊如今住在哪里?我必须立刻见他。’比丘们告诉他,佛陀已经入城托钵。

婆希耶急忙入城,见到佛陀正在行乞。佛陀仪容安详,令人起信;诸根寂静,心地寂定,已得最上调伏、寂止,调御、守护、寂然,威仪具足。婆希耶趋前,五体投地,头面礼足,祈请道:‘世尊,请为我说法!善逝,请为我说法,使我得长久安乐!’

佛陀对他说:‘婆希耶,现在不是时候;我们已入城托钵。’

婆希耶第二次祈请:‘圣者啊,世尊的寿命未可知,我的寿命也未可知。请为我说法,善逝,使我得快乐解脱。’佛陀再次婉拒,说此时不宜,因为他们正值托钵之中。

第三次,婆希耶以同样的迫切再次祈请,仍以他与佛陀未来未可知为由,恳请说法,令他从苦中解脱。

这一次,佛陀应允道:‘那么,婆希耶,你应当这样训练:凡是见到色时,唯是所见;凡是听到声时,唯是所闻;凡是嗅到香时,唯是所嗅;凡是尝到味时,唯是所尝;凡是触到受时,唯是所触;凡有一念生起,唯是其念。如此,则“你”不在。既然“你”不在,你就不会被发现在此世、彼世或两者之间。那就是苦的终结。’

当下,仅凭如来这简短的法语,婆希耶便从一切由执取、贪求、瞋恚与无明所生的苦中解脱。佛陀随即离开。

不久之后,婆希耶被一头护犊的母牛撞击而死。佛陀托钵毕、受用午食之后,与众多比丘离城而回,途中见到婆希耶破碎的遗体,便告诫比丘们:‘诸比丘,把婆希耶的遗体抬走,火化,并为他立一处纪念塔;他是与你们同梵行者,如今已逝。’

比丘们遵命行事,回到佛前坐下。其中一位问道:‘世尊,婆希耶的遗体已火化,纪念塔也立好了。他的去处与后世如何?’

佛陀说:‘诸比丘,穿树皮衣的婆希耶是位智慧人;他以法行于法,并未以法上之诸问题扰乱于我。诸比丘,婆希耶已经完全解脱、自由无碍。’


佛陀领会此事意旨,当下而说偈:


‘彼处水、地、火、风无所依,

群星不照耀,

日轮不可见,

月亮不出现,

黑暗不存焉。

当一位牟尼以智慧亲证于此,

则于色与非色、

于乐与苦,

皆得解脱。’


好了,这或许称不上“奥斯卡级别”的戏剧,但就巴利经文来说,已相当不俗。我们先从婆希耶谈起。

初见他时,他是位有成就、受敬重的导师——照今人的话说,他样样不缺。若活在今天,他大概会有一家气派的禅修中心,门下有许多崇敬的学员,写过一两本书,或许上过奥普拉的节目,肯定还会在 Kripalu、Omega 的课程手册上有彩页,甚至登上《瑜伽杂志》。这些并不足以让婆希耶显得独特、或特别可敬;他的怀疑也同样不是。问题不只在于他怀疑自己的理解是否深入、修行是否得力、解脱是否真实;而是他容许这种自我质询、这种怀疑,停留了一会儿。他不试图借更深的定力把它赶走,也不轻率地将其否定。就像对待呼吸或一个公案,婆希耶与他的疑共处,真诚地作这位棘手客人的主人。

接着,“天女”——你也可以把她看作代表女性智慧与探问的一个面向——登场了。她以近乎残酷的直白挑战他;不仅证实了他对自身成就的怀疑,还告诉他:即便有那些所谓“成就”,他连“入门”都谈不上。简而言之,她毫不含糊地指出:他的修行一文不值,他的“灵性成就”不过虚妄。

这类事并非只发生在古代故事里。它也会发生在我们身上,而且可能带来沉重打击。也许我们确实很用功:规律打坐、饮食得当、跟随善知识练习体式;也许我们也接受了师资训练,或正有这样的打算,生活看似顺利。又或者,我们只是勉强维持着一套最低限度的练习——我们自己也许并未意识到,那不过是最低限度。不论处境如何,生活随时可能抛来一记挑战,让我们深深怀疑这条路是否值得:失业、抑郁、自我形象遭重创、重要关系破裂、健康受损……我们发觉自己在恐惧、愤怒、被背叛的感受里手忙脚乱,或者其他一锅乱炖的情绪里挣扎。我们质疑自己的价值、质疑修行的价值、质疑师长与教法的价值。又或者,苦恼在于:修了这么多个月、这么多年,我们仍会对路上的司机、孩子或伴侣大喊大叫——修行的预期与现实的落差,一再刺眼。

深度的怀疑,是我们观照人生时的一处岔路口。如何前行?一条岔路,是无力、放弃、自责、绝望与苦涩之道——小写的“doubt”(怀疑)。我们干脆逃走。这不同于“战略性撤退”,并非为了重整旗鼓、让热度降一点再回来继续;而是一路向下,直到我们自己看清它的徒劳。这是“死亡之路”,并不是通向“大神死”而复活的那条路,它只有死气。另一条岔路,是修行之道:以正精进、毅力与勇气,把眼前这次“袭击”当作邀请,邀请我们检视“自我”的运作:更深入地认识自我,认识它的执著与恐惧、它如何强加武断的限制;把发生在我们身上的事与我们的反应,当作一面镜子,哪怕这会带来相当的痛感,也要更清楚地看见自己。我们听见生命对自身发出的紧迫呼唤:看清我们怎样把自己局限于狭隘;怎样因未了的恐惧、厌恶、自我形象与无明,而不敢全然、鲜活、喜悦地活着。我们是否听见那微弱却清楚的声音在提醒:我们所谓的“活着”,其实像一种缓慢的死亡?那声音说:我们常以为自己勇敢而充分地活,可其实我们不曾珍重这份不可思议的当下恩赐。那声音准确地指向我们缩回去的那些地方,挑战我们别再自欺。我们是否愿意像婆希耶那样提问?愿意问,并且真诚地聆听答案?

有人问过德兰修女(Mother Teresa)祈祷时都说些什么。她答:“我什么也不说,我在听。”又问上帝对她说什么;她说:“祂也什么都不说;祂也在听。”她补充说:如果你不懂,我也无法再多解释。我们愿不愿意真正倾听自己的生命?整日以全身心去听:感受、触受、视觉、嗅觉、味觉、声音——凡是进入我们觉知的一切?也许我们并不想那样听,因为我们知道,一旦听见,生命就会像当年改变婆希耶那样,彻底改造我们;而这有点可怕。我得告诉你,这确实“危险”,因为真正的自由有时会打乱我们与他人的生活。但若我们不做,我们的生命就会在相当程度上活在阴影里,而结果就是:疑与一种缠人的不满足会如影随形,让我们总觉得“缺了点什么”。不留神的话,我们会把这种“不完整”,一路背到坟墓里去。那就太可惜了。

接下来,是我认为此经“最重要的两三处”之一,也最令我感佩、心生敬畏的一点:当被当头棒喝——他的修行与成就全是空的——婆希耶没有辩解、没有合理化、没有否认、没有反击。他做了两件事:第一,他问:世上是否有这样一位觉悟者,能教他如何解脱?第二,当得知确有其人且知其所在,他当机立断去找。这时他不会先问:这位老师收不收费?进僧团要不要交月费?他不会等着召集一票随从帮他背行李,也不会非要把出发前的大小事安排得妥妥帖帖。婆希耶放下一切,字面意义上的“放下一切”,然后直奔真理——直奔那位觉者。那是一种紧迫,一种毫不犹豫、唯一焦点的投入:婆希耶迫切渴望自由。想到我自己的老师们为此付出的伟大努力——他们对觉醒之道的全心奉献;读到婆希耶的榜样;再读到其他志士在这条圣道上作出的非凡牺牲——我便会觉得自己的努力是那么渺小、单薄,不足、近乎虚假;我会感到惭愧。然而,同样也有一个美好的声音在召唤着我、你、我们每一个人:我们都与你、我、他一样,是“婆希耶”。我们看见,这门功课正如诗人所说:它是一种“极度单纯的条件”,却要求“绝对的一切”。我们也承认:自己还有许多路要走。也许我们做不到“放下一切”,但我们能不能开始认真审视那些我们死命抓住、并且毫无觉察地培植的执著?能不能在自处与待人上,诚实一点、不再那么愿意自欺?能不能不再相信那些自圆其说:比如“我其实坐得够多了”、“我其实不太需要去闭关”等等,这些让我们继续活在恐惧立场、活在自我设限里、活在那一切阻碍我们把承诺带向更深处的借口?能不能认真想一想:为什么我只是慢吞吞地向“真理”走去,而不是像婆希耶那样,全速奔向它?同时,也可以追问:这“真理”究竟是什么?为了它,我们愿意牺牲什么?什么时候愿意?真理,是等在某个想象中的未来,被我们“寻获”的东西?还是,它就在“现在”发生?请细细看:此刻,对你而言最真实、最确凿的是什么?不是就有感受、就有声音、就有念头吗?这一切是常是无常?它们会不会不请自来?你能否预测,下一刻会出现什么?——直奔你生命之“真”的路,或许不是去别处寻觅什么、去获得你以为自己缺少的什么;它也许只是愿意转身,径直面向此时此地这一刻。也许,最真实的东西近在咫尺;而奔赴它的旅程,就在此刻发生,完全超越时间。

真正的修行不是树立一个理想的修行或灵性生活模式、去奋力追逐,将其安放在遥不可及的未来。这只会在心中制造冲突,让所谓“理想”与“现实”对立,也让我们活在未来,而不是学会如何在此时此地全然地活。这是要我们像婆希耶那样去做:愿意诚实检视自己的生活与活法,然后立刻直接地依此而行。这意味着:愿意留心当下,留心我们真实的生命如何在此刻展开。开始看看、辨认出:我的理解与我实际的活法之间,哪里有落差、什么时候有落差?仅仅这一个练习,就可能让我们的生命焕然一新。

还有一点让我对婆希耶的态度佩服不已:那就是他的坚持与紧迫。他恭敬,却锲而不舍;柔和,却不愿被推延到以后。他有一种明白透彻的洞见:除了“现在”,没有别的时间。没有什么可以推到将来;因为“将来”不仅不确定——它根本不存在。现在就是现在,这就是所有。克里希那穆提一次又一次地提醒我们:现在就醒来;现在就明白;现在就终结恐惧与苦。现在,是你能做你最重要之事的唯一时刻。我们说“我明天做”,可是“明天”永远不会来;它总是“今天”。总是这一刻发生转化与自由;总是这一刻我们会活、会爱、会死。永远是像这样的当下。

婆希耶的坚持之火,也由他对无常的觉知所点燃。未来如何,我们不知;未来不确定、不可预测,而我们活在一具极其脆弱的身体里——头部挨一下合适的力量,人就像变了一个人似的。婆希耶清楚地意识到:死亡随时相随;他极善用这种觉知来助成自由。是什么在点燃我们紧迫的火?死亡观当然做得到;一次不受欢迎的诊断或与死神擦肩而过,也常把我们从昏睡中惊醒:下一刻不属于任何人;我们有选择——就在现在,如何活这一刻。还有许多不那么戏剧性的方式,生命会呼唤我们回到永恒当下的完满:电话铃声、婴儿啼哭、拥抱所爱之人、松林深处傍晚金光、远处乌鸦的叫声……生命不断在向自身发声——我们只要聆听。

于是有婆希耶,于是有我们。婆希耶是理想的学人;我们是现实的学人。我们能不能开始检讨:我究竟如何追求自己的自由?开始质问:我如何安排我的一天?开始追问:我为何而活?并且具体端详:我究竟如何活着?我们能不能更密切地观察:我们实际上是如何活的,一刻一刻,一天一天?我们愿意在多大程度上,通过把自己摆到自己面前,来挑战自己、检验我们各种选择的值得与否?第一个问题是:“我想怎样活?”第二个问题是:“我实际上怎样活?”——长久地与这两问相处,本身就是极有益处、虽谦卑却深刻的修行。

今晚差不多就到这里。下回,我们来看看佛陀如何回应婆希耶那发自肺腑的请益。  

 

《关于婆希耶的经》,第2讲(Ud. I.10)


我们继续谈婆希耶与佛陀的相遇,以及佛陀对他迫切请法的回应。请记得:虽然婆希耶是因深刻的怀疑而来,并且明白自己既未解脱、又未依正道而修,但他已完全成熟,可以领受一则足以翻转其生命的教导。他几乎字面意义上“放下一切”,除了对觉醒高度凝聚的迫切,已将所有都清空。佛陀以极简而有力的教言迎面相应:

“婆希耶,你应当这样训练自己:凡见色时,只是见;凡闻声时,只是闻;凡尝味时,只是尝;凡触受时,只是触;凡有感时,只是感;凡有念起,只是念。于是,就没有‘你’;每当没有‘你’,你就不会被发现在此世、彼世或两者之间。那就是苦的终结。”

理解这教言,至少有两条路径。其一,是紧随佛陀字面所说:这是一套训练心、训练生活的法——要以过程的方式去练、去做。婆希耶是一口气就“吞下去”,瞬间消化,顿时大悟。我们大多数人则需要把它当作修行,长久地熏修——然而,我们并不知道婆希耶在抵达那个“成熟可受教”的时刻之前,究竟修了多久。其实“渐修而顿悟”与“顿悟而渐修”并不矛盾;两者都是真的,而且合起来,覆盖了修行—证悟的一生全程。

所以,佛陀是在对婆希耶说,同时也在对我们每个人说。我们人人都是那位被叮嘱“请如此训练自己”的婆希耶。这是什么意思?我们该如何做?首先要明白,“只是听、只是见、只是尝、只是感、只是觉”的“只是”,到底是什么。举例说:你朝窗外看树——也许你脱口而出:“那是一棵橡树。”你抬头看天,会想:要下雪吗?要下多少?闭关结束我赶得回去吗?你闻到厨房飘来的香味,会想:午饭还有多久?休息真好啊……见、闻、嗅、尝、触之后,紧跟着是“可意/不可意”的受,再接着是思维,往往伴随某种贪、瞋或迷;然后,心就把这些拼成一个“故事”。我们倏地远离了当下、远离了生命的实质。这常常构成“造苦”的配方,而不是自由与喜悦。这就是“分离”的动作——我猜,佛陀说“只是”时,绝非此意。“只是”指的是:当观察者与所观之间,没有任何影像、念头或记忆介入时,那里到底是什么。当没有条件反射、没有记忆经验夹在中间,见就是见、闻就是闻……没有隔阂,就亲密无间。没有“你”也没有“我”,只有“这个”。然后,把“只是”也放下,把“这个”也放下,还剩什么?

当没有“我/我所”,没有那个把生命的自然完满切裂成两半的“你”,我们就直截了当地斩断了那股分裂之根——那就是:思想自我认同、把万法拆解的内在趋向。有人说过:人类最致命的妄想,就是去相信自己的念头。所以,当在“听”里只有“所闻”之时,对“听”的亲密已至极处——念头无从生起;即使生起,也没有“谁”去认同它。

但请理解:通往当下这份单纯与完整的门,正是眼前这个当下。若此刻在的是恐惧、评断、心雾沉沉……不管什么在这里,它也“只是这个”。当我们把这教法带回日常关系里,事情就更有意思了。在静修里,我们精心设置了一套简化的条件,尽量降低复杂度;而凌晨三点起床安抚生病或受惊的孩子、被伴侣批评、堵车而错过要紧约会——那是完全不同的环境。然而修法完全相同,训练完全一样。生命不论在何处、何种形态,都是“如此”;我们的功课,就是越来越完全、直接地迎面相见。以全然的注意,去相见恐惧、孤独、悲恸、绝望——学会去爱“如其所是”的生命,而不是我想要的样子。这是一条陡峭的修行。

尤其在闭关时,这类情形频仍出现,正好让我们练习“全心的注意”。长时间静坐,身体会产生许多感受,其中不少不太舒服。我们往往没有把它们当作“只是感受”而任其自明、自灭,反而让念头出来编故事,有时像史蒂芬·金小说一样“吓人”。这不是修“解脱”,而是修“造苦”。离开闭关的护持环境,我们通常会寻找各种方式逃离自己造出的“小地狱”。这些逃离并不高明,还会产生它们自己的苦:比如深夜进食来逃避孤独,随后又自我苛责……心对某个不愉快起了念头,自己不喜欢,接着就找种种方法逃避自己。难怪我们常常觉得别扭、发散、矛盾如此之多!

修行之道——训练自己之道——很简单:学会与“所是”共处,如其所是地与之同在;让此刻在这广大、开阔的觉照原野中,充分地自我呈现,然后回到它来的地方——无尽地生起、无尽地消散,如云来云去、虚空廓然。你可以说:纯然的“看”,就是我们本然的状态;纯然的“听”,就是我们本然的状态;看与听,就是“觉醒”。我们醒在一口呼吸、醒在风扇的嗡鸣。觉醒是动态的、活泼的。于“见”唯“见”之际,自他之分荡然不立,苦无由而起。“我们”什么也不做,因为在那一念无思、彻底契合的无时之中,没有“能做之人”。也没有过去、现在、未来;因为“只是这个”时,时间——思想的产物——不复存在。你不会被发现于未来、过去或现在;因为在无分离、无来去的处所,那个由思维制造的“你”并不存在。这一刻也许痛得要命,但没有“谁”在制造“问题”。

当然,这不是一个静态的“状态”;“我们”总在出入其间。生命一直召唤我们醒来于“只是这个”,因为“这个”永远是新的、独特的、清新的。生命不断问我们:你现在就来相见吗?以愤怒、恐惧、背叛、忧伤、喜悦、幸福这类姿态现前——每次都有些微差异。这就是为什么我们称这门功课为“觉醒的练习”。有时会出现重大“经验”,清明与放下极为深切,或许转瞬即逝,或许“持续很久”。我一位至友说,她越来越不敢轻信“开悟经验”;从某个角度看,她完全正确。因为这些“开启”有一个危险:我们把它们变成可供收藏的“战利品”,让记忆把它们凝固,反过来壮大自我,助长那种占有、追逐与分裂的“自我”。另一方面,它们也重要:它们标示着“可能性”,也会随着时间,深化并增强我们自由与爱的能力,重新界定“我们是谁”。两边如何平衡?六祖慧能给了一个观察:“就佛性而言,罪人与圣人并无差别。一念悟,凡夫即是佛;一念迷,佛亦还成凡夫。”事情总是如此往返。

让我再以一个例子说明。我昨天开车下来时,听着艾莉森·克劳斯的 CD。没听过她的朋友,我得说她是很棒的歌手,身边也都是实力派乐手——但她能唱出一种“真的、真的很伤”的调子。我一路开着,开始受音乐感染,心情越来越低落,念头也越来越灰(众所周知,这“特别有帮助”)。忽然间,我觉察到身体略微塌下去——你知道我们伤心时,身体是怎样往里萎缩的;呼吸也开始变短、变窄。就在那一刹那的觉察里,没有“我”去做什么,呼吸自然拉长了一点,身体自然扩展了一点,视野自然打开了一点;下一刻,影像涌进眼底——暴风雪后,成千上万被冰包裹的树枝,在阳光下亮得炫目。整个过程里,心没有在想;只有纯然的感受、纯然的看。在那无时的一刻,心完全醒着,忽然从与“伤心”的贴近,迁入与“下一个这个”的完全贴近。也许并没有持续多久,但身心已处在另一种状态;我把音乐关了,安安静静地开车。请留意:这一切的“法门”,就是那一刹那的“觉察伤心”,以及不试图把它变成别的什么。也请留意:这一切一点也不“了不起”;它只是注意那一切构成“活着”的平常心境、感受与见闻。我们不必去别处找;只要开始珍惜:我们早已具足一切,足以在此时此地醒来与自由。

这也把我们带向理解佛陀教言的另一种方式:把它当作一份对“广大、无选择的觉照”的邀请。我们可以逐一练习各个根门,可以以这种直接、质朴、亲密的方式对治五盖;我们也可以把一切同时打开:看、听、觉、触、尝——一切同时发生;没有分辨、没有偏好、没有选择。所有根门全然敞开、欢迎、受持、警觉、活泼——让“听”变成整个身心的事:每一个毛孔、每一根毫毛,合为一片通体受持、活生生的“听”。在这里,还有“谁”吗?还有“我在听”吗?请你自己检验。它也许有点滑溜,因为当“你”只是听、只是见、只是触、只是尝、只是嗅时,可能根本没有一个人在“记录”或“反思”——没有“你”在那儿!当你注意到“分离”出现——心想要把当下变成另一个样子——在“只是看见分离”的那一刻,会发生什么?当你一路走上“思维之路”,然后突然看见“我在想”的那一刻,会发生什么?那一刻的觉知里,有“你”吗?如果“看见”本身就是“觉醒”,如果“听见”本身就是“觉醒”,如果事情就是这么简单、这么显眼——那你可能会问:那我来闭关干什么?如果只是对那个念头“如其所是地觉知”,会怎样?这就是“觉醒的练习”;或者说得更贴切些:其实是“觉醒在练我们”。

总之,在这次闭关剩下的时光里,我们有一个很好的机会,继续这份持续的觉醒与自知之练习。让声音、色彩、气味、触受、心情、感觉,一刻一刻地把我们召回真正的自己——召回到朴素的觉知——以我们生命每一刻独一无二的方式,任它各展其相。当“你”不在时,呼唤与回应会自然地谐振、毫不费力。当出现挣扎、冲突或痛苦,也是在发生,它同样可以被认识为“只是这个”。无所排除——凡来者皆有一席之地。恐惧坐在希望旁边,希望挨着悲伤,悲伤对面是喜悦,旁边是愤怒,愤怒旁边是爱,如此等等。它们来,停留一阵,又离开——只要“我们”不在那里拦它们的路。当只剩“这个”时,觉知这位“主人”与任何来访的“客人”,就处在完全的和谐之中。  

来源:Douglas Phillips, “The Sutta About Bahiya, Part 1 (Feb 4, 2005)” 与 “Part 2 (Feb 12, 2005)”,Empty Sky Sangha 官网。参见上文链接标注。