Must Reads
Soh

遣除黑暗之灯

依诸老成就者传统而直指心之本面的教授

麦彭绛巴多杰 造

藏文原文:https://www.lotsawahouse.org/bo/tibetan-masters/mipham/lamp-to-dispel-darkness

本工作译本参考的 AtR Gemini Prompt 页面:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html

本简体中文藏文锚定工作译本说明

此简体中文工作译本仅供个人参考,不是校勘版,准确性仍需具藏文与大圆满背景者复核。本译本以藏文为源头权威;英文草译、Lotsawa House 英译及其他公开译文仅作参照。本轮特别按用户所附 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 对公开英文译法的批评作去污染复核:凡不能由藏文语法、术语或上下文支持的“过程”“觉知”“经验者/主体”“智慧已生起”等解释性措辞,均不作为正文依据。

本译本中,rig pa 依 AtR Batch 27 Prompt 1/6 术语锁定作 明(vidyā;藏 rig pa),不译作“觉知”“觉性”“觉智”“本觉”“自觉知”或“觉知觉知”。ye shes 译作 本初觉智sems 译作 rnam shes 及普通认知模式依文脉译作 识 / 意识kun gzhi 译作 一切基lhun grub 译作 自然圆满,不译作“任运成就”。

若您通达藏文并能对此工作译本提出校正,请联系:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/p/contact-us.html

礼敬

礼上师与文殊智慧萨埵。

甚深道之力

不必广泛训练闻思,只须依经验传承之窍诀,保任对心之本面的认出。以此甚深道之力,即便普通村野咒士等,也能不太困难地抵达持明者的地位。

然而,其要点是:让此心以其自然方式安住,不故意作意任何分别想;同时,在此方式中不散乱地维持忆念之流。如此时,会生起一种令人厌腻、浓稠的黑暗:一种昏钝、惰性、空白而没有主动思维的识。

1. 破开无知之壳

彼时,只要尚未生起清明照见——能准确辨别何者为何的殊胜胜观——诸上师便可正当地称这种状态为无明。由于不能指出说“它就是这样”,也称为不定。又由于没有执取任何所缘、也没有在心中持任何念头,故称为普通等舍。实际上,这不过是安住于一切基中的普通状态。

作为令无分别本初觉智现前的助缘,这类等持安住之法确有必要。然而,由于认识自身状态的本初觉智尚未显露,所以这类方法还不能算作大圆满禅修的正行。如《普贤王如来愿文》所说:

什么也未忆念的浓滞之境——
此即无明迷乱之因。

因此,当心经历这种什么也不忆念、惰性、浓滞之境时,应自然、柔和地观此境本身的知。就在彼处,离戏之明鲜明澄澈,超越内外之想,如晴空一般。

虽所取境与能取心并无二异,若对于自身本性生起确定知——即“除此之外别无其他”之感——则因不能陈述或描述为“它是这样”,可称为离边离言的本初光明,或称为。由于已被引介而证得的本初觉智已经显露,令人厌腻的浓稠黑暗便消散。正如天亮时能看见屋内一般,对于自心之法性、真实本性,生起确定知。

这就是名为破开无知之壳的窍诀。

2. 斩断轮回之网

如此证悟时,便知法性本身无造作。自始以来,它不由因缘和合而成,并且在过去、现在、未来三时中不迁不变。除此之外,所谓“心”的哪怕微尘许也不可见。

先前所说的什么也不忆念、惰性的黑暗,也无法被描述。它正因无法被描述,故缺乏决定性。明也不可思议、不可言说;然而要点在于:这两种不可言说的差别,犹如盲人与明眼之别。因此,一切基与法身的区别,即摄于此关要。

因此,普通识不作意离言说等名相,都有真实与不真实两面。当声与义完全相符、关要得以确定时,便能经验甚深法义。

令心以其自然方式安住时,有些人试图守护“仅仅清明”或“仅仅知”,一边想着“这就是识的清明”,一边安住在普通意识的方式中。另一些人则专注于一片空茫,认为“知”已经消失、“空”已经出现。然而二者都是普通意识范围内的执著:一者执著于清明的所取与能取,另一者执著于空的所取与能取。

此时,应观察忆念与注意之流如何运作。若对所取的清明或空,以及能取它者有所执著,就截断那概念识的系索。于是,明空离边之明便由自身而得定解,生起明朗鲜活。这称为认出本面:明——本初觉智无遮而起,脱离执取与取著之壳。

这就是名为斩断轮回之网的窍诀。

3. 安住如虚空平等

同样,不依分析等助伴,离戏论之明应通过自然安住与自明之门,被认出为法性,如稻粒脱壳。

由于明之本性不能仅凭概念性的了知而得知,必须在那个状态中立稳脚跟。因此,不散乱地守护使知自然安住的忆念之流,是极其关键的。

如此训练时,有时会有昏钝的无念,不能辨别何者为何;有时会有通透的无念,但胜观的明晰尚未显现;有时会有带执著的乐受经验,有时会有无执著的乐受经验;有时会有种种带持取的明晰经验,有时则会有无染、离持取的明朗鲜活。

有时会有粗重、扰动的经验;有时会有平顺、悦意的经验。有时由于分别念变得十分粗重,人会被带入向外驰散的分别中。有时由于尚未辨明昏钝与明晰,状态会变得混浊。无始以来的分别习气,以及种种业风的吹动,会无定准、不可衡量地生起。这就像走一条长路,会遇到许多地方,有些悦意,有些艰难。因此,无论生起什么,都不要故意执持;应持续增强自己的道。

尤其在尚未熟练时,有时诸多念头像火焰般炽燃,有时觉受摇荡。不要拒斥它们。保持松缓柔顺,不令相续中断。其后,诸如“获得”等禅修觉受会次第生起。

此时,总的说来,一旦通过上师窍诀与自身经验,辨别了认出明与未认出明、一切基与法身、识与本初觉智之间的差别,便应以确信保任引介。正如水不被搅动便自行澄清,识若安置于自处,如静止池水般不动,关要在于其法性——自生、自明之本初觉智——自行澄清。应以此作为修持的要点。

不应扩展取舍的戏论,也不应让经教学习与推理的动念增盛,想着:“我所修的这个境是识,还是本初觉智?”这样做会稍微障蔽止与胜观。

当训练稳定为止观双运时——止,是令心安住时保持忆念之流稳定;胜观,是以自明认出自己的本面——则自然安住与本性的俱生光明,被知为从一开始即不可分离。自生的本初觉智、大圆满密意,便会显露。

这就是安住如虚空平等之教授

佐证引文

因此,严格依照具德萨拉哈所说:

彻底舍弃诸念及所念之境,
如幼童般安住于无念。

——萨拉哈

关于安住的方法,又说:

专注上师语,殷重用功——

——萨拉哈

若具足指出明的窍诀,则:

俱生本性必将生起,毫无疑问。

——萨拉哈

摄要

如彼所说,心之俱生本性——明,自生之本初觉智——从无始以来便与自身普通心一同生起。由于这与诸法法性无别,亦即真实的本初光明。

因此,如是自然安住而持守法性——心之精要、认出明之本面——乃是百要归一的窍诀。对此必须持续护持。

至于串习之量,是即使在睡眠中亦能保任光明。至于正道之相,是信心、悲心与智慧自然增长。由自身经验可知,证悟容易且少有艰难。至于此法之甚深与迅速,可将由此获得的证量,与那些依此道或其他道、须经极大勤苦方能成办者的证量相比较,由此获得确信。

至于修持自心光明所得之果:当此心上的分别念遮障及其习气自然清净时,二智便无勤开展。于是夺得自身本初状态之坚城,三身自然圆满。

甚深。秘密。三昧耶。

跋文

胜生火马年二月十二日,为了那些虽大多不精进于闻思、却仍希望修持心之本面的村野咒士等,麦彭绛巴多杰依照多数老成就者经验直指引导中易懂的法语,编排此甚深教授。善哉。吉祥。


修订说明

  • rig pa:正文译为“明(vidyā;藏 rig pa)”,不译为“觉知”“觉性”“觉智”“本觉”或“觉知觉知”。
  • ye shes:译为“本初觉智”,不泛译为普通意义的“智慧”。
  • kun gzhi:译为“一切基”。
  • sems / rnam shes:sems 译为“心”;普通认知模式依文脉译为“识 / 意识”。
  • lhun grub:译为“自然圆满”,避免使用“任运成就”。
  • dmar khrid:跋文中的 dmar khrid 依藏文语境译为“经验直指引导”,不译作“赤裸”或任何身体裸露之义。
  • 反实体化:尽量避免把法性、光明、明译成“内在实体”或“某个主体”;正文中不加入“另有一个知者”“觉知觉知”等无藏文依据的解释。
  • Ācārya Malcolm Smith 去污染复核:本轮按用户所附批评,特别检查了“stepping stone / process / primordial wisdom”“object of experience / experiencing agent”“awareness of the state”等公开英文译法可能造成的污染;本轮又对照 AtR 英文见证译文,改为更清楚而仍不从属于英文的“令无分别本初觉智现前的助缘”“所取境与能取心并无二异”“明由自身而得定解”等表述,并避免把藏文读成一个独立的经验者、觉知主体或自我反观主体。
  • Prompt 6/9 复核:本版已做高风险术语、无添加义注、反实体化、中文自然度与 HTML 读回检查;因浏览器可抽取的藏文正文仍不完整,状态仍为“源头导向、藏文锚定的工作译本”,不是校勘版、逐句藏文认证版或终稿。完整逐句藏文校勘仍建议由具藏文与大圆满训练者复核。
Soh

明的引介:无遮直见而自行解脱

根据藏文重译并经第五轮审校的简体中文工作译本,仅供个人参考。

藏文原文:རིག་པ་ངོ་སྤྲོད་ཅེར་མཐོང་རང་གྲོལ་

早前 AI 翻译所用提示词:https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html

译者说明

此为简体中文工作译本,并非藏文校勘本或学术定本。本文依据可查藏文标题与文本脉络、前一版英文修订译文、旧中文译本作参考,并依照 AtR 的术语与翻译审校规则重新整理与复审。若要公开流通,仍建议请精通藏文与大圆满语境的善知识进一步审阅。

本译本不将 rig pa 译作“觉知”“觉性”或一个本体化的“Awareness”。依照本次采用的 Ācārya Malcolm Smith / krodha 术语方向,rig pa 在文中主要译作 明(vidyā)。与此相关但不同的 shes paye shessemsrang riggsal ba / rang gsal,则分别按语境译为“识”“本初觉智”“心”“亲证之觉智”“明晰 / 自明”等,以免混同。

旧译《无染觉性直观自行解脱之道》可作参考,但其中若将 rig pa 过度译为“觉性 / 本觉 / 觉照”,或将无能所的直指语境读成本体化的内在觉性,本译本不予沿用。

正文

《甚深法·寂忿密意自行解脱》中:

此处所安立者,为《明的引介:无遮直见而自行解脱》。

顶礼三身本尊——自明之明。

今从《甚深法·寂忿密意自行解脱》中,宣说《明的引介:无遮直见而自行解脱》。

应如是将自己的明引介给自己。善加审思吧,具缘善男子。

三昧耶。封印、封印、封印。

诶玛吙——遍摄轮涅的一心

诶玛吙!

遍摄轮回与涅槃的一心:
虽然从本以来就是自身所有,却未被认出;
虽然明晰之知从未间断,却未见其面目;
虽然无碍地显现为任何事物,却未能识别。

为使人认出自己的这一自性,
三世诸佛宣说八万四千法门,
以及不可思议的经续教典;
然而所说一切,只是为了证知此义。
除此之外,诸佛并未另有所说。

虽然经典无量,等同虚空,
实际上,引介明的口诀,归结起来不过是这几句直指。

此即诸佛密意的直接引介:
毫不隐蔽,毫无保留,只是这样直接指出。

嗟吙!具缘子,请在此谛听。

未识心之过患

所谓“心”(sems)这个众所谈论、广为人知的名词:
因为未证知、误证知、或只片面证知,
又因为未能如实证知,
遂生起不可思议数量的哲学体系与宗义主张。

再者,凡夫不证知它,
不知自己的自性,
因而流转于三界六趣,领受痛苦。
这就是未能证知自己此心本身的过失。

外道中的常见者与断见者,对它作错误分别。
因堕入常、断二边而迷乱。
这也同样是未能证知自己此心本身的过失。

声闻与缘觉虽欲证知
人无我以及部分的法无我,
却未能如实证知。
受各自经论与宗义主张所束缚,
他们被遮蔽而不能见净光。

声闻与缘觉被对能取与所取的执著所遮蔽。
中观者被对二谛边际的执著所遮蔽。
事部与瑜伽部行者被对近修与成就两端的执著所遮蔽。
摩诃与阿努行者被对界域与明的执著所遮蔽。

他们将不二之义分作二分,因此偏离。
若二者未成一味,便不能觉醒。
既然一切都是自己的心,轮回与涅槃本不可分。
然而,由于落入取舍之乘,以取与舍而行,众生便在轮回中流转。

自己之明的三身本来自然圆满,无需造作。
然而,那些迷于计算地道次第者,
以向外、向远处寻求的种种方法,偏离了此义。

佛陀密意超越分别心。
然而,若依所缘与相状而修诵,便已落入错乱。
因此,应舍弃一切造作之法与作业。

因为此处宣说《无遮直见明而自行解脱》,
应证知一切法皆为大自行解脱。
因此,在大圆满中,一切本已圆满。

三昧耶。封印、封印、封印。

心的诸多名称

诶玛吙!

此明亮、鲜活的知,被称作“心”:
虽说它存在,却连一物也不成立;
虽说它生起,却生起为轮回与涅槃、乐与苦的种种差别;
若论宗义主张,它依十二乘而被安立;
若论名称,则有不可思议的种种异名。

  • 有些称它为“心”(sems)或“心性”(sems nyid)。
  • 有些外道给它“我”(bdagātman)之名。
  • 声闻说它是“人无我”。
  • 唯识者给它“唯心”之名。
  • 有些给它“中道”之名。
  • 有些说它是“般若波罗蜜多”。
  • 有些给它“善逝藏”(tathāgatagarbha)之名。
  • 有些给它“大手印”之名。
  • 有些给它“唯一明点”(thig le nyag gcig)之名。
  • 有些给它“法界”之名。
  • 有些给它“一切基”(ālaya)之名。
  • 有些给它“平常识”(tha mal shes pa)之名。

直接引介

若以直指方式直接引介此要点:

过去的念头已消逝,无迹可寻;
未来的念头尚未生起,鲜活未染;
于现在,识自然安住、未经造作之时,
就在此当下平常之识中,
由自己向自己,纯然直观其面目。

一看之时,并无任何可见之物——然而明晰。
这就是明:无遮、直接、鲜明。
因为丝毫不成立,故为空而明。
因为明与空不二,故清朗分明。

它不是常住,因为任何东西都不成立;
它也不是断灭,因为它明晰而鲜明;
它不是一,因为它明知而显为种种;
它也不成立为多,因为不可分而一味;
它不在别处,正是自己的此明。

这就是对诸法安住方式的引介。

其中,三身一体圆具、不可分离:

  • 因其不成立为任何事物,故为空性的法身
  • 空性的自然光明——即其明晰——是报身
  • 无碍显现为任何事物,是化身
  • 这三者一体圆具,即是其体性。

若以强力直指来引介此要点:
正是你此刻当下的这个识,如其本然。

斩断疑惑的问句

既然它正是此未被改造的自明,
你说自己未证知心性,是什么意思?

既然此中没有丝毫可修之物,
你说它不能由禅修显发,是什么意思?

既然它正是这个明本身,
你说找不到自己的心,是什么意思?

既然它正是此无间断的明晰之知,
你说看不见心的面目,是什么意思?

既然思维此心者正是心本身,
你说寻觅后仍未找到,是什么意思?

既然对此并无任何可作,
你说它不是由行动而发生,是什么意思?

既然只须任其不改、自明,便已足够,
你说不能安住,是什么意思?

既然只须宽松放下,什么也不作,便已足够,
你说自己不能做到,是什么意思?

既然明晰之知自然圆满,与三轮不可分,
你说它不能由修行成就,是什么意思?

既然它是自生的自然圆满,不依因缘,
你说不能靠精勤证知,是什么意思?

既然念头与解脱同时,
你说无法施用对治,是什么意思?

既然它正是此当下之识,
你说不知此义,是什么意思?

对心性的决定

心性为空、无基,是决定无疑的。
自己的心无实体,如空旷虚空。
观照自己的心,看它是否如此。

它并非空洞无物,也不是断灭之空。
自生的本初觉智从本以来明晰,是决定的。
自生的自明,如日轮核心。
观照自己的心,看它是否如此。

明与本初觉智无有间断,是决定无疑的。
无间断之明,如河流相续。
观照自己的心,看它是否如此。

分别念的迁流不可被指认为实有,是决定无疑的。
无实体的迁流,如虚空中的微风。
观照自己的心,看它是否如此。

凡所显现皆是自显现,是决定无疑的。
显现为自显现,如镜中影像。
观照自己的心,看它是否如此。

一切相状皆于本处解脱,是决定无疑的。
自生的自行解脱,如虚空中的云。
观照自己的心,看它是否如此。

既然离心之外别无一法,
就见而言,也别无其他可观之法。

既然离心之外别无一法,
就修而言,也别无其他可修之法。

既然离心之外别无一法,
就行而言,也别无其他可行之法。

既然离心之外别无一法,
就三昧耶而言,也别无其他可护之法。

既然离心之外别无一法,
就果而言,也别无其他可成之法。

再观、内观

再看,再看!看自己的心。

向外看虚空界域时,
若此心的投射没有可去之处;

向内看自己的心时,
若念头的投射并无投射者;

那么,自己的心,无投射而明晰,
即是亲证之明、净光、空性法身。
它如无云晴空中升起的太阳。
虽无分别念,却明明了知。

证知此义与不证知此义,差别极大。

此自生净光,从本以来无生,
乃是无父无母的明之子——何其奇妙!
此自生本初觉智,非任何人所造——何其奇妙!
它从未经历生,亦无死因——何其奇妙!
虽然直接明晰,却无能见者——何其奇妙!
虽然流转轮回,却不变坏——何其奇妙!
虽然成佛,却不变好——何其奇妙!
虽然人人皆有,却不认出——何其奇妙!
舍此不顾,却希求别的果——何其奇妙!
虽然本在自身,却向别处寻求——何其奇妙!

诶玛吙!

此当下明晰之明,离于实体,
它本身就是一切见的顶峰。

此无所缘、周遍含摄、超越分别心的状态,
它本身就是一切修的顶峰。

此不改造、不抓取、宽松安住,
它本身就是一切行的顶峰。

此从本以来无须追求的自然圆满,
它本身就是一切果的顶峰。

四大无谬桩与四大不变钉

今无误宣说四大无谬桩:

  1. 无谬之见的大桩
    即此当下明晰之明。
    因其明晰而无谬,故称为桩。

  2. 无谬之修的大桩
    即此当下明晰之识。
    因其明晰而无谬,故称为桩。

  3. 无谬之行的大桩
    即此当下明晰之识。
    因其明晰而无谬,故称为桩。

  4. 无谬之果的大桩
    即此当下明晰之识。
    因其明晰而无谬,故称为桩。

今宣说四大不变钉:

  1. 不变之见的大钉
    正是此当下明晰而知的识。
    因其于三时皆如是宣说,故称为钉。

  2. 不变之修的大钉
    正是此当下明晰而知的识。
    因其于三时皆如是宣说,故称为钉。

  3. 不变之行的大钉
    正是此当下明晰而知的识。
    因其于三时皆如是宣说,故称为钉。

  4. 不变之果的大钉
    正是此当下明晰而知的识。
    因其于三时皆如是宣说,故称为钉。

口诀:将三时安顿为一

不要追随过去;舍弃对过去的想法。
不要迎取未来;斩断意之牵连绳。
将现在放在虚空界域中,不作抓取。

没有可修之物,所以不要修任何东西。
没有散乱,所以依止不散乱的正念。
在无修亦无散乱的状态中,无遮地直看。

自己的亲证之识,鲜明而自明。
此一起现,即称为菩提心。
因为没有可修之物,所以超越所知境。
因无散乱,故以其体性而明晰。
显现与空自行解脱;明晰与空即是法身。

由于佛道并非造作而成,而是现前显发,
金刚萨埵就在此刻被见。

将见、修、行、果护送至穷尽处

此为将究竟见护送至穷尽处的口诀:

虽有许多相违之见,
在此自生本初觉智、心性、自己的明之中,
并无所见之境与能见者的二元。
不要看“见”本身;去寻找看者。
若寻找看者而不可得,
那时,见便被护送至穷尽处。
见的究竟要点也归结于此。

虽然在见中没有丝毫可看之物,
但不堕入泛泛空洞的虚无,
此当下属于自己之明的明晰之识,
本身就是大圆满之见。
于其中,并无证知与未证知的二元。

虽有许多相违之修,
在自己的明、平常而通透之识中,
并无所修之境与能修者的二元。
不要修“修”本身;去寻找修者。
若寻找修者而不可得,
那时,修便被护送至穷尽处。
修的究竟要点也归结于此。

虽然没有丝毫可修之物,
但不落入昏沉、掉举、惛睡之力,
此当下未改造、明晰之识,
即是不改造的等持,是真正的禅定。
于其中,并无安住与不安住的二元。

虽有许多相违之行,
在自己的明、唯一明点之本初觉智中,
并无作为对象的行与行者的二元。
不要作“行”本身;去寻找行者。
若寻找行者而不可得,
那时,行便被护送至穷尽处。
行的究竟要点也归结于此。

虽然没有丝毫可修作之行,
但不落入习气与迷乱之力,
在当下之识未改造的自明中,
不从事任何修饰、改变、取或舍,
这本身就是完全清净之行。
于其中,并无清净与不清净的二元。

虽有许多相违之果,
在自己的明、心性、自然圆满的三身中,
并无所成之果与能成者的二元。
不要成办“果”本身;去寻找能成办者。
若寻找能成办者而不可得,
那时,果便被护送至穷尽处。
果的究竟要点也归结于此。

虽然没有丝毫可成办之果,
但不落入取舍、希望与恐惧之力,
于当下能知之识自然圆满的自明之中,
自明三身的证悟显现为现前。
这本身就是本初成佛之果。

明的同义名称

此明远离常、断等八边。
因不落任何边,故称为“中道”。
它称为“无间断正念之明知”。
因为空性具有明之体,
故得名“善逝藏”。

若知此义,它即是一切所知境中最胜者。
因此得名“般若波罗蜜多”。
因其远离分别心之边,从本以来即已解脱,
故得名“大手印”。
由于此自性是否被证知,
成为一切轮回与涅槃、乐与苦的基础,
故得名“一切基”。

当它自然安住、平常而未造作时,
此明晰而鲜活之识,
得名“平常识”。

无论附加多少善妙、绚丽、悦意的名称,
实际上,除了此当下能知之识以外,
若有人在此之外另立更胜之物,
就如已经找到大象,却还去寻找象迹。
即使遍行三千大千世界,也不可能找到。

离心之外,不可能找到佛。
不知此义,若向外寻心,
又怎能用自己去寻找他者而找到自己?

譬如,一个愚人身处人群,
看完戏法后忘失了自己。
不认得自己的脸,便向别处寻找。
以自己去寻找别人之迷乱,正是如此。

由于不见事物本性的安住方式,
不知显现即是心,便漂泊轮回。
不证知自己的心即是佛,涅槃便被遮蔽。

轮回与涅槃,
由知与不知、明与无明,
在一刹那中分出差别。
将自己的心见为他物,便成错乱。
错乱与不乱,本为一体。

既然众生的心续并不成立为二,
只要让心性在本处不改造而安住,便得解脱。
若不知此错乱本身即是心,
便永远不能证知法性之义。
向内看自己:看这自生、自起的自明!

这些显现最初从何处生起?
中间住于何处?
最后又往何处去?
一看之下,犹如船上的乌鸦:
虽从船上飞离,却无别处可落。
同样,由于显现从心中生起,
它们便在自己的心中生起,并在心中解脱。

凡所显现皆是心

此心性,遍知遍明,空而明晰:
如虚空中明与空从本以来不可分,
当自生本初觉智明然显现,
并被决定时,这本身就是法性。

其为如此的征相是:一切显有与寂静,
都被知为自己的心。
既然此心性是知而明晰,
应了知它犹如虚空。

虽然以虚空作为象征法性的譬喻,
但这只是暂时指出某一面向的象征。
心性具有明,既空而又明晰地显为一切;
虚空没有明,只是空、只是空白的虚无。
因此,心的意义不能由虚空完全说明。
不散乱地安住于那一状态中。

甚至这些种种相对显现,
虽被执为真实,却连一物也不成立。
因此,一切显有、轮回与涅槃,
都是自己唯一心性的可见展现。

每当自己的心续改变时,
外在的可见显现也似乎随之改变。
因此,一切都是心的可见展现。
六道众生各见自己的相应显现。
外道以常、断二元来看。
九乘依各自的见而看。
见为种种,并见种种彼此相异,
他们执著差别,并被各自的执著所迷乱。

因为一切显现都是心之明,
虽有可见显现生起,不抓取即是佛。
显现本身并不错;因抓取而错。
若知抓取之念即是心,它们便自然解脱。

凡所显现,一切都是心的显现:

  • 无情器世间的显现也是心。
  • 有情六道众生的显现也是心。
  • 上界天人与人的安乐显现也是心。
  • 三恶趣痛苦的显现也是心。
  • 无明、烦恼与五毒的显现也是心。
  • 明作为自生本初觉智的显现也是心。
  • 恶念与轮回习气的显现也是心。
  • 善念与涅槃界的显现也是心。
  • 障碍、魔与鬼神的显现也是心。
  • 天尊与殊胜悉地的显现也是心。
  • 种种分别念的显现也是心。
  • 安住于一境无念之定也是心。
  • 具有实有相状的色彩显现也是心。
  • 无相与离戏也是心。
  • 一与多不二的显现也是心。
  • 不成立为存在或非存在的显现也是心。
  • 离心之外,绝无任何显现。

虽然心性无碍,任何显现都可生起,
即使显现生起,也如海水与波浪,
不二,并在心的状态中解脱。

虽然名称无碍,任何名称都可安立,
实际上,离唯一心性之外,别无一物。
即使此“一”,也无基、无根。
向任何方向观看,都见不到一物。

它不被见为实体,也不成立为任何东西。
它也不被见为仅仅是空,因为它是知与明晰的光明。
它不被见为相异,因为它是明与空不可分的状态。

此刻,自己的明鲜活而明晰。
即使想把它做成某物,也无从下手。
虽无自性,却能直接经验。
当这本身被经验时,一切都解脱。
由此了知,根器并无利钝之别。

芝麻与乳中虽含油与酥油之源,
若不压榨、不搅拌,油与酥油不会出现。
同样,虽然一切众生本为佛之真实精髓,
若不修行,众生不会觉醒。
若能修行,即使牧牛人也会解脱。

虽不知如何言说,却能现量自定。
当红糖已在自己口中尝到,
便不需要别人解释其味。
不证知此义,即使班智达也会迷乱。
即使精通九乘所知境的解说,
也如讲述自己从未见过的远方故事。
与佛果连一刹那也未曾更接近。

若证知此义,善与不善在本处解脱。
若不证知此义,无论行善或造恶,
都不能超越上下趣的轮回。

在证知自己的心为空而明的本初觉智之刹那,
善与不善、利与害,丝毫不成立。
如水不会聚集于虚空,
善与不善从本以来也不成立于空性本身之中。

因此,为了与自己的明当下照面,
此《无遮直见而自行解脱》极为甚深。
因此,应熟悉自己的这个明。

甚深。封印、封印、封印。

跋文

诶玛吙!

至于此《明的引介:无遮直见而自行解脱》:
为利益未来浊世中的具缘者,
一切续、阿笈摩、口诀,以及自己之明的体验,
我已在此汇集为简略而明了的密意表达。
如今不令其广为流布,而将其作为珍宝伏藏。
愿它未来遇见福缘成熟者。

三昧耶。封印、封印、封印。

名为《无遮直见而自行解脱》、直接引介明的甚深法,由邬金大师莲花生所造,至此圆满。

三昧耶。封印、封印、封印。

伏藏师、成就者噶玛林巴,从甘波达舞姿天尊之山迎请出此法。


本简体中文第五版审校要点

  • rig pa:按本次术语规则译为“明(vidyā)”,不译为“觉性”“觉知”或本体化的“觉”。
  • ye shes:译为“本初觉智”,与“明”区别。
  • shes pa:依语境译为“识”或“能知之识”。
  • sems:译为“心”,保持其世俗、二元心的语境。
  • gsal ba / rang gsal:译为“明晰”“自明”,避免译成实体化的光体或大我。
  • rang grol:译为“自行解脱”,指显现与念头于本处解脱,而非一个不变背景的存续。
  • gcer/cer mthong:本轮改译为“无遮直见 / 纯然直观”,不再用容易被误解为身体裸露的字面词,以避免现代中文误读,同时保留“不被概念遮蔽而直接看见”的藏文语感。
  • HTML / Prompt 6-9 复审: 本轮按 Prompt 6 的“源证问题优先”与 Prompt 9 的“来源锚定精修”原则,再次复核疑似重复、术语漂移、中文过度名词化、链接与样式结构;疑似重复的区段经 raw HTML readback 判定为嵌套标签抽取假象,未误删有效内容。
  • 第五轮整体改进:旧译仅作参考,本轮进一步微调标题、术语、问句、直指段、四桩四钉、穷尽处、“凡所显现皆是心”、跋文和 HTML 结构,使简体中文更顺畅,同时尽量不牺牲藏文语境与 AtR 术语规则。
Soh

A Lamp to Dispel Darkness

An Instruction Pointing Directly to Mind’s Face, According to the Tradition of the Old Realized Ones

By Mipham Jampal Dorje

Original Tibetan text: https://www.lotsawahouse.org/bo/tibetan-masters/mipham/lamp-to-dispel-darkness

Gemini Prompt reference used for the earlier draft: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html

Translator’s Note for This Fifth-Pass Tibetan-Anchor Working Version

This fifth-pass working translation is provided solely for personal reference. It is not a critical edition and its accuracy is not guaranteed. In this pass, the Tibetan text itself is treated as the source authority. Public English translations, including Lotsawa House, are treated as contaminated comparison witnesses only; none is allowed to determine wording where Tibetan/source-control, the [redacted] criticism supplied by the user, or AtR terminology safeguards point elsewhere. It should still be reviewed by someone proficient in Tibetan and Dzogchen before being reproduced or distributed.

In this revision, rig pa is not translated as “awareness,” “awareness of awareness,” “reflexive awareness,” or svasaṃvedana. Following the Acarya Malcolm/Kyle Dixon criticism supplied by the user and the Prompt 1/6 termbank, rig pa is kept as rigpa and glossed as vidyā / knowledge where needed. Ye shes is rendered as pristine consciousness, sems as mind, rnam shes / ordinary cognitive modes as consciousness, kun gzhi as all-basis, and lhun grub as natural perfection rather than “spontaneous presence.”

If you are proficient in Tibetan and can offer corrections regarding this working translation, please contact: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/p/contact-us.html

The Homage

Homage to the Guru and Mañjuśrī Jñānasattva.

The Power of the Profound Path

Without needing extensive training in hearing, reflection, and practice, one may simply sustain the recognition of mind’s own face according to the pith instructions of the experiential lineage. By the power of this profound path, even ordinary village mantrikas and the like can, without too much difficulty, reach the level of a vidyādhara.

Yet this is done by letting this very mind settle in its own natural way, without deliberately imagining anything at all, while maintaining an undistracted continuity of recollection in that very mode. When this is done, there arises a cloying, dense darkness: a dull, inert consciousness, blank and devoid of active thought.

1. Opening the Husk of Unknowing

At that time, so long as clear seeing has not arisen — the special insight, vipaśyanā, that discerns precisely what is what — masters may rightly call that state ignorance. Since one cannot identify it by saying, “It is like this,” it is also called indeterminate. And because there is no taking up of any object and no thought being entertained, it is called common equanimity. In reality, it is merely abiding in an ordinary state within the all-basis.

Such methods of equipoise are useful as conditions for bringing forth non-conceptual pristine consciousness. Yet because the pristine consciousness that recognizes the state itself has not yet dawned, this cannot count as the main practice of Dzogchen meditation. As the Prayer of Kuntuzangpo says:

A dense state in which nothing at all is recalled —
This itself is the cause of ignorance’s confusion.

Therefore, when mind experiences such an unconscious, inert, dense state, look naturally and gently at the knowing of that very state. Right there, rigpa, free from discursiveness, is vividly clear, beyond any notion of inside or outside, like a clear sky.

Although there is no dualistic separation between the experienced object and the experiencing agent, if certainty about one’s own nature arises — a sense that, “Apart from this there is nothing else,” then, because it cannot be stated or described as “it is like this,” it may be called the primordial radiant clarity beyond extremes and expression, or rigpa. Since the pristine consciousness to which one has been introduced has dawned, the cloying dense darkness clears away. Just as one can see inside a house when day breaks, certainty arises regarding the dharmatā, the true nature, of one’s own mind.

This is the pith instruction called Opening the Husk of Unknowing.

2. Cutting the Net of Cyclic Existence

When it is realized in this way, one knows that dharmatā, by its very nature, is unconstructed. From the very beginning, it has abided without being compounded by causes and conditions, and it does not undergo transition or change across the three times. Apart from that, not even the slightest particle of something called “mind” is observed.

Earlier, the unconscious, inert darkness was not described. Its very inability to be described means that it lacks decisive determination. Rigpa, too, cannot be thought or described; nevertheless, the decisive point is this: the difference between these two kinds of inexpressibility is like the difference between blindness and clear sight. Thus, the distinction between the all-basis and the dharmakāya is gathered into this essential point.

Therefore, terms such as ordinary consciousness, not attending mentally, and freedom from expression have two sides: authentic and unauthentic. When sound and meaning are brought fully into accord and the essential point is fixed, one gains experience of the profound meaning of the Dharma.

When leaving mind to settle in its own way, some try to guard “mere clarity” or “mere knowing,” settling into a mode of ordinary mental consciousness while thinking, “This is the clarity of consciousness.” Others focus on a blank vacuity, taking “knowing” to have disappeared and “emptiness” to have occurred. Yet both are attachments within the range of ordinary mental consciousness: one clings to the apprehended and apprehender of clarity, while the other clings to the apprehended and apprehender of emptiness.

At that point, look at how the stream of memory and attention is functioning. If there is clinging to an apprehended clarity or emptiness and to an apprehender of it, cut the tether of that conceptual consciousness. Then rigpa — clear and empty, beyond extremes — is decisively ascertained by itself, and a lucid vividness arises. This is called recognizing the face: rigpa, pristine consciousness arising uncovered, free from the husk of grasping and appropriation.

This is the pith instruction called Cutting the Net of Cyclic Existence.

3. Remaining in Space-Like Equality

Likewise, without relying on companion factors such as analysis and so forth, rigpa free from elaboration should be recognized as dharmatā through the gate of self-settling and self-clarity — like a grain of rice freed from its husk.

Because the nature of rigpa is not known merely through conceptual knowing-about, one must establish one’s footing in that very state. Therefore, it is crucial to guard, without distraction, the stream of recollection that lets knowing settle in its own natural way.

When one trains in this way, at times there will be dull non-conceptuality in which one does not know what is what. Sometimes there will be a transparent non-conceptuality in which the clarity of special insight has not yet emerged. Sometimes there will be blissful experiences with attachment, and sometimes blissful experiences without attachment. Sometimes there will be various experiences of clarity that involve holding, and sometimes there will be clear, lucid vividness that is unsullied and free from holding.

Sometimes there will be rough, unsettling experiences; sometimes smooth, pleasing experiences. Sometimes, because conceptuality becomes very coarse, one is carried off into outward discursivity. Sometimes, because dullness and clarity have not been distinguished, the state becomes murky. Beginningless habituations of conceptuality, together with the various gusts of karmic winds, arise without certainty or fixed measure. This is like traveling a long road and encountering many places, some pleasant and some difficult. Therefore, whatever arises, do not deliberately hold to it; keep strengthening your own path.

Especially when one is untrained, there will be times when the many thoughts blaze like fire and times when experiences waver. Do not reject them. Remain relaxed and pliant, without breaking the continuity. Later, meditative experiences such as attainment will arise in stages.

At this time, in general, once the distinctions between recognizing and not recognizing rigpa, between all-basis and dharmakāya, and between consciousness and pristine consciousness have been discerned through the lama’s pith instructions and through one’s own experience, one should sustain the introduction with confidence. Just as water becomes clear by itself when it is not stirred, when consciousness is left in its own place, unmoved like a still pool, the key point is that its dharmatā — self-arisen, self-clear pristine consciousness — becomes clear by itself. This should be made the main point of practice.

One should not expand proliferations of adopting and abandoning, nor swell the movement of scriptural study and inference, thinking, “Is this object of my meditation consciousness or pristine consciousness?” To do so slightly obscures both calm abiding and special insight.

When the training becomes stable as the union of calm abiding and special insight — the calm abiding that keeps steady the stream of recollection leaving mind to settle, and the special insight by which one’s own face is recognized as self-clarity — then natural settling and the innate radiant clarity of one’s own nature are known as indivisible from the very beginning. The self-arisen pristine consciousness, the intent of the Great Perfection, becomes manifest.

This is The Instruction on Remaining in Space-Like Equality.

Supporting Quotations

Thus, strictly in accordance with the glorious Saraha:

Utterly abandon thoughts and objects of thought,
And remain without thought, like a young child.

— Saraha

And regarding the method of resting:

Focus on the guru’s words and apply great effort—

— Saraha

And if one possesses the pith instruction pointing out rigpa:

There is no doubt that the co-emergent nature will arise.

— Saraha

The Condensed Point

As stated there, the co-emergent nature of mind — rigpa, self-originated pristine consciousness — has arisen together with one’s own ordinary mind from the very beginning. Since this is not different from the dharmatā of all phenomena, it is also the genuine primordial radiant clarity.

Therefore, this way of resting naturally while sustaining dharmatā — the essence of mind, the recognition of rigpa’s own face — is the pith instruction that gathers a hundred key points into one. This is what must be guarded continuously.

As for the measure of familiarization, it is to maintain radiant clarity even during sleep. As for the signs of the right path, faith, compassion, and wisdom increase naturally. Through one’s own experience, one knows that realization is easy and involves little hardship. As for the profundity and swiftness of this approach, one attains certainty by comparing the measure of realization with those who enter this or other paths only after accomplishing them through very great effort.

As for the fruition attained by meditating on the radiant clarity of one’s own mind: when the obscurations of conceptual thoughts upon that mind, together with their habitual tendencies, naturally clear away, the twofold knowing expands without effort. One seizes the stronghold of one’s own primordial state, and the three kāyas are naturally perfected.

Profound. Guhya. Samaya.

Colophon

On the twelfth day of the second lunar month in the Fire Horse year (1906), this profound instruction was arranged by Mipham Jampal Dorje for village mantrikas and others who, though they do not exert themselves greatly in hearing and reflection, nevertheless wish to practice the face of mind. It accords with the easy-to-understand Dharma language of direct experiential guidance from most of the old realized ones. Virtue. Maṅgalam.


Revision Notes

  • rig pa: kept as rigpa and glossed as vidyā/knowledge, rather than translating it as “awareness.”
  • ye shes: rendered as pristine consciousness, not “wisdom” in a generic sense.
  • kun gzhi: rendered as all-basis.
  • sems: rendered as mind; ordinary cognitive modes are rendered as consciousness where appropriate.
  • lhun grub: rendered as natural perfection / naturally perfected, avoiding “spontaneous presence.”
  • gcer/bare language: rendered contextually as uncovered, direct, or laid bare, not as physically “naked.”
  • Anti-reification: this fourth pass continues reducing repeated “intrinsic reality” language by using dharmatā or true nature where appropriate, so as not to imply a substantial inner entity.
  • Fifth-pass Tibetan-anchor review: the Tibetan title, homage, opening verse, dull/inert/dense-state terminology, Kuntuzangpo quote, three instruction titles, rice-husk image, Saraha sequence, and colophon were rechecked against the Tibetan page where accessible, with Lotsawa and Wallace used only as comparison witnesses.
  • Acarya Malcolm / reflexive-awareness safeguard: the supplied screenshot was treated as a release-critical warning. This pass removes wording that could suggest “awareness of awareness” or reflexive-awareness/svasaṃvedana as the meaning of rig pa. Non-source explanatory glosses have been removed from the body; any remaining doctrinal caution is confined to this QA note.
Soh

Introducing Knowledge (Vidyā): Self-Liberation through Naked Seeing

Second-pass revised working translation from Tibetan, prepared for personal reference.

Original Tibetan text: རིག་པ་ངོ་སྤྲོད་ཅེར་མཐོང་རང་གྲོལ་

Prompt used for the earlier AI translation: https://www.awakeningtoreality.com/2025/04/ai-gemini-prompt-to-translate-atr-blog.html

Translation Note

This is a second-pass revised working translation, not a critical edition. It has been checked against the accessible Tibetan source title/context, the older English rendering supplied for repair, and current AtR terminology safeguards, but it should still be treated as provisional unless reviewed by a qualified Tibetan scholar-practitioner.

In this revision, rig pa is not rendered as “awareness.” Following the stricter terminology associated with Ācārya Malcolm Smith and Kyle Dixon/krodha, rig pa is rendered mainly as vidyā, with “knowledge” used as its explanatory English equivalent. Ordinary knowing, consciousness, clarity, self-clarity, and pristine consciousness are kept distinct where the Tibetan appears to distinguish rig pa, shes pa, gsal ba / rang gsal, rang rig, and ye shes.

Other translators have often used “intrinsic awareness” or “naked awareness” for this text. Those older title conventions are well known, but this edition avoids using “Awareness” as a reified background or as an equivalent for rig pa.

The Text

From the Profound Dharma, Self-Liberation of the Intent of the Peaceful and Wrathful Ones:

Here is the Introduction to Knowledge (Vidyā): Self-Liberation through Naked Seeing.

I bow to the deity of the three kāyas, self-clear vidyā.

From the Profound Dharma, Self-Liberation of the Intent of the Peaceful and Wrathful Ones, I shall teach the Introduction to Knowledge (Vidyā): Self-Liberation through Naked Seeing.

In this way, introduce your own vidyā to yourself. Consider this well, fortunate child of noble family.

Samaya. Sealed, sealed, sealed.

Emaho — The Single Mind

Emaho!

The single mind that encompasses all of saṃsāra and nirvāṇa:
Although it has been one’s own from the very beginning, it has not been recognized.
Although clear knowledge is uninterrupted, its face has not been met.
Although it arises unobstructedly as anything whatsoever, it has not been identified.

In order that this very nature of one’s own be recognized,
The Victors of the three times taught the eighty-four thousand gates of Dharma
And inconceivable collections of scripture.
Yet all that was taught was only for the purpose of realizing this.
Apart from this, the Victors have taught nothing.

Although the scriptures are infinite, equal to the sky,
In actuality, the instruction that introduces vidyā comes down to this concise pointing-out.

This direct introduction to the intent of the Victors
Is just this method of pointing directly, without concealment and without omission.

Kye ho! Fortunate children, listen here!

The Failure to Recognize Mind

This much-discussed and renowned term called “mind” (sems):
Because it is not realized, wrongly realized, or only partly realized,
And because it is not realized exactly as it is,
Inconceivable numbers of philosophical systems and assertions have arisen from this.

Furthermore, ordinary beings do not realize it.
Not knowing their own nature,
They wander in the six destinies of the three realms and experience suffering.
This is the fault of not realizing one’s own mind itself.

The eternalists and nihilists among the non-Buddhists conceptualize it wrongly.
By falling into the extremes of eternalism and nihilism, they are deluded.
This, too, is the fault of not realizing one’s own mind itself.

Although śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas wish to realize
The selflessness of persons and a partial selflessness of phenomena,
They do not realize it exactly as it is.
Bound by the assertions of their own texts and tenets,
They are veiled and do not see the clear light.

Śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas are veiled by attachment to object and subject.
Mādhyamikas are veiled by attachment to the extremes of the two truths.
Kriyā and Yoga practitioners are veiled by attachment to the extremes of approach and accomplishment.
Mahā and Anu practitioners are veiled by attachment to expanse and vidyā.

They stray by dividing the nondual meaning into two.
If the two do not become of one taste, awakening will not be attained.
Since everything is one’s own mind, saṃsāra and nirvāṇa are inseparable.
Yet through the vehicles of adoption and avoidance, by accepting and rejecting, beings wander in saṃsāra.

The three kāyas of one’s own vidyā are naturally perfected without effort.
Yet those deluded by calculating stages and paths
Are distracted from this meaning by methods that seek elsewhere, far away from it.

The intent of the Buddha is beyond intellect.
Yet through meditation and recitation that rely on reference points and marks, beings are mistaken.
Therefore, cast away all fabricated dharmas and activities.

Because this Self-Liberation through Nakedly Seeing Vidyā is taught here,
Realize all phenomena as the great self-liberation.
Therefore, in the Great Perfection, everything is perfected.

Samaya. Sealed, sealed, sealed.

The Many Names Given to Mind

Emaho!

This bright, vivid knowing called “mind”:
Although one says it exists, it is not established as even a single thing.
Although one says it arises, it arises as the diversity of saṃsāra and nirvāṇa, happiness and suffering.
As for assertions, it is asserted in accord with the twelve vehicles.
As for names, inconceivable distinct names are applied to it.

  • Some call it “mind” (sems) or “nature of mind” (sems nyid).
  • Some non-Buddhists give it the name “self” (bdag, ātman).
  • The śrāvakas say it is the “selflessness of persons.”
  • The Cittamātrins give it the name “mind.”
  • Some give it the name “Middle Way.”
  • Some say it is the “Perfection of Wisdom.”
  • Some give it the name “Essence of the Sugata” (tathāgatagarbha).
  • Some give it the name “Mahāmudrā.”
  • Some give it the name “single thig le.”
  • Some give it the name “dharmadhātu.”
  • Some give it the name “all-basis” (ālaya).
  • Some give it the name “ordinary consciousness” (tha mal shes pa).

The Direct Introduction

If one is directly introduced to this point by pointing it out:

The past thought has vanished without a trace.
The future thought has not arisen and is fresh.
In the present, when consciousness abides naturally, uncontrived,
In this ordinary consciousness of the present moment,
Look nakedly at your own face, by yourself.

When you look, there is nothing to see — and yet there is clarity.
It is vidyā: naked, direct, and vivid.
Because nothing whatsoever is established, it is empty and clear.
Because clarity and emptiness are nondual, it is distinctly open.

It is not permanent, for nothing whatsoever is established.
It is not nihilistic, for it is lucid and vivid.
It is not one, for it is clear and knowing as the many.
It is not established as many, for it is inseparable and of one taste.
It is not elsewhere; it is this very vidyā of one’s own.

This is the introduction to the meaning of the abiding mode of things.

In this, the three kāyas are complete as one and inseparable:

  • Because it is not established as anything whatsoever, it is the empty Dharmakāya.
  • The natural radiance of emptiness, which is clarity, is the Sambhogakāya.
  • Arising as anything whatsoever without obstruction is the Nirmāṇakāya.
  • The state in which these three are complete as one is the essence itself.

If this very point is introduced forcefully by pointing it out:
It is just this present consciousness of yours, exactly as it is.

Questions that Cut Through Doubt

Since it is just this unaltered self-clarity,
What do you mean by saying you do not realize the nature of mind?

Since there is nothing whatsoever to meditate upon in this,
What do you mean by saying it does not arise through meditation?

Since it is just this vidyā itself,
What do you mean by saying you do not find your own mind?

Since it is just this uninterrupted clear knowledge,
What do you mean by saying you do not see the face of mind?

Since the one who thinks of mind is mind itself,
What do you mean by saying you did not find it by searching?

Since there is nothing whatsoever to be done with regard to this,
What do you mean by saying it did not occur through action?

Since it is enough to leave it unaltered and self-clear,
What do you mean by saying you cannot remain?

Since it is enough to leave it loosely without doing anything,
What do you mean by saying you are unable?

Since clear knowledge is naturally perfected, inseparable from the three spheres,
What do you mean by saying it is not accomplished through practice?

Since it is self-originated natural perfection, without causes and conditions,
What do you mean by saying you cannot realize it through effort?

Since thoughts and liberation occur together,
What do you mean by saying you cannot apply an antidote?

Since it is just this present consciousness,
What do you mean by saying you do not know this?

Certainty in the Nature of Mind

It is certain that the nature of mind is empty and without basis.
One’s own mind is insubstantial, like empty space.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

Without being a vacuous nothingness or a nihilistic emptiness,
It is certain that self-originated pristine consciousness is clear from the beginning.
Self-originated self-clarity is like the heart of the sun.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

It is certain that vidyā and pristine consciousness are uninterrupted.
Uninterrupted knowledge is like the flow of a river.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

It is certain that the movement of discursive thought cannot be identified.
Insubstantial movement is like a breeze in the atmosphere.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

It is certain that whatever appears is self-appearance.
Appearances being self-appearance is like a reflection in a mirror.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

It is certain that all characteristics are liberated in their own place.
Self-originated self-liberation is like clouds in the atmosphere.
Look at your own mind to see whether it is like that or not.

Since there is no dharma elsewhere apart from mind,
There is no other dharma to look at through the view.

Since there is no dharma elsewhere apart from mind,
There is no other dharma to meditate upon through meditation.

Since there is no dharma elsewhere apart from mind,
There is no other dharma to practice through conduct.

Since there is no dharma elsewhere apart from mind,
There is no other dharma to guard as samaya.

Since there is no dharma elsewhere apart from mind,
There is no other dharma to accomplish as the fruit.

Looking Again and Looking Inward

Look again, look again. Look at your own mind.

When you look outward into the expanse of space,
If there is no place for the mind’s projection to go;

When you look inward at your own mind,
If there is no projector of the projection of thought;

Then your own mind, clear without projection,
Is personally-intuited vidyā, clear light, the empty Dharmakāya.
It is like the sun rising in a cloudless, clear sky.
Although it does not possess discursive thought, it knows lucidly.

The difference between realizing and not realizing this meaning is great.

This self-originated clear light, unborn from the beginning,
Is the parentless child of vidyā — how wonderful!
This self-originated pristine consciousness, made by no one — how wonderful!
It has never experienced birth and has no cause for death — how wonderful!
Although it is directly clear, there is no seer — how wonderful!
Although it wanders in saṃsāra, it does not become worse — how wonderful!
Although it attains Buddhahood, it does not become better — how wonderful!
Although it is present in everyone, they do not recognize it — how wonderful!
Leaving this aside, they hope for some other fruit — how wonderful!
Although it is their own, they search for it elsewhere — how wonderful!

Emaho!

This present clear vidyā, free from substance,
Is itself the very pinnacle of all views.

This state without reference point, all-embracing and beyond intellect,
Is itself the very pinnacle of all meditations.

This unaltered, ungrasping, loose resting,
Is itself the very pinnacle of all conducts.

This unsought natural perfection from the very beginning,
Is itself the very pinnacle of all fruits.

The Four Great Unerring Stakes and the Four Great Nails

The four great unerring stakes are taught:

  1. The great stake of the view without error
    Is this clear vidyā of the present.
    Because it is clear and unerring, it is called a stake.

  2. The great stake of meditation without error
    Is this clear consciousness of the present.
    Because it is clear and unerring, it is called a stake.

  3. The great stake of conduct without error
    Is this clear consciousness of the present.
    Because it is clear and unerring, it is called a stake.

  4. The great stake of the fruit without error
    Is this clear consciousness of the present.
    Because it is clear and unerring, it is called a stake.

The four great nails of changelessness are taught:

  1. The great nail of the changeless view
    Is just this clear knowing consciousness of the present.
    Because it is taught throughout the three times, it is called a nail.

  2. The great nail of changeless meditation
    Is just this clear knowing consciousness of the present.
    Because it is taught throughout the three times, it is called a nail.

  3. The great nail of changeless conduct
    Is just this clear knowing consciousness of the present.
    Because it is taught throughout the three times, it is called a nail.

  4. The great nail of the changeless fruit
    Is just this clear knowing consciousness of the present.
    Because it is taught throughout the three times, it is called a nail.

The Pith Instruction: Settling the Three Times as One

Do not follow the past; abandon the notion of the past.
Do not invite the future; cut the rope that links the mind forward.
Leave the present in the expanse of the sky, without grasping.

There is nothing to meditate upon, so do not meditate on anything.
There is no distraction, so rely on undistracted mindfulness.
In the state without meditation and without distraction, look nakedly.

One’s own personally-intuited consciousness is vividly self-clear.
That arising is called bodhicitta.
Because there is nothing to meditate upon, it transcends the object of knowledge.
Because there is no distraction, it is clear by its very essence.
Appearance and emptiness are self-liberated; clarity and emptiness are the Dharmakāya.

Since the path to Buddhahood is not newly produced but becomes manifest,
Vajrasattva is seen at this very moment.

Escorting View, Meditation, Conduct, and Fruit to the Place of Exhaustion

The instruction for escorting the final point to the place of exhaustion:

Although there are many discordant views,
Within this self-originated pristine consciousness, the nature of mind, one’s own vidyā,
There is no duality of a viewed object and a viewer.
Do not look at the view; look for the looker.
If you search for the looker and do not find him,
At that time, the view is escorted to the place of exhaustion.
The ultimate point of the view, too, comes down to that.

Although there is nothing whatsoever to look at in the view,
Without drifting into a generic, blank nothingness,
This present clear consciousness of one’s own vidyā
Is itself the view of the Great Perfection.
In that, there is no duality of realizing and not realizing.

Although there are many discordant meditations,
Within one’s own vidyā, ordinary penetrating consciousness,
There is no duality of an object meditated upon and a meditator.
Do not meditate on meditation; look for the meditator.
If you search for the meditator and do not find him,
At that time, meditation is escorted to the place of exhaustion.
The ultimate point of meditation, too, comes down to that.

Although there is nothing whatsoever to meditate upon,
Without falling under the power of dullness, agitation, and torpor,
The unaltered, clear consciousness of the present
Is unaltered equipoise, true dhyāna.
In that, there is no duality of remaining and not remaining.

Although there are many discordant conducts,
Within one’s own vidyā, the pristine consciousness of the single thig le,
There is no duality of conduct as object and one who acts.
Do not perform conduct; look for the one who acts.
If you search for the one who acts and do not find him,
At that time, conduct is escorted to the place of exhaustion.
The ultimate point of conduct, too, comes down to that.

Although there is nothing whatsoever to practice as conduct,
Without falling under the power of habitual tendencies and delusion,
In the unaltered self-clarity of the consciousness of the present,
Without engaging in modification, alteration, acceptance, or rejection,
That itself is perfectly pure conduct.
In that, there is no duality of pure and impure.

Although there are many discordant fruits,
Within one’s own vidyā, the nature of mind, the naturally perfected three kāyas,
There is no duality of a result to be accomplished and an accomplisher.
Do not accomplish the fruit; look for the one who would accomplish it.
If you search for the one who would accomplish it and do not find him,
At that time, the fruit is escorted to the place of exhaustion.
The ultimate point of the fruit, too, comes down to that.

Although there is nothing whatsoever to accomplish as the fruit,
Without falling under the power of accepting and rejecting, hoping and fearing,
Within the naturally perfected self-clarity of present knowing consciousness,
The realization of the self-clear three kāyas becomes manifest.
That itself is the fruit of primordial Buddhahood.

Synonyms of Vidyā

This vidyā is free from the eight extremes, such as eternalism and nihilism.
Because it does not fall into any extreme, it is called the “Middle Way.”
It is called “uninterrupted mindful knowledge.”
Because emptiness has the essence of vidyā,
It is given the name “Essence of the Sugata.”

If the meaning of this is known, it is supreme among all knowable objects.
Therefore it is called the “Perfection of Wisdom.”
Because it is free from the extremes of intellect and free from the very beginning,
It is given the name “Mahāmudrā.”
Because, depending on whether this very nature is realized or not realized,
It becomes the basis for all saṃsāra and nirvāṇa, happiness and suffering,
It is given the name “all-basis.”

When it abides naturally, ordinary and unproduced,
This clear and vivid consciousness
Is given the name “ordinary consciousness.”

However many good, colorful, and pleasing names are attached,
In actuality, apart from this knowing consciousness of the present,
Whoever asserts something superior to this, other than this,
Is like someone who has found an elephant but searches for its footprints.
Even if one were to traverse the three-thousandfold universe, it would be impossible to find.

Apart from mind, it is impossible to find the Buddha.
Not knowing this meaning, if one searches for mind externally,
How could one find oneself by using oneself to search for another?

For example, it is like a fool in a crowd of many people
Who, after watching a spectacle, forgets himself.
Not recognizing his own face, he searches elsewhere.
The delusion of using oneself to search for someone else is just like that.

Because one does not see the abiding mode of the disposition of things,
Not knowing appearances to be mind, one strays into saṃsāra.
Not realizing one’s own mind to be the Buddha, nirvāṇa is obscured.

Saṃsāra and nirvāṇa are differentiated
By knowing and not knowing, vidyā and ignorance,
In a single instant.
One is mistaken by seeing one’s own mind as something other.
Mistake and non-mistake are of one essence.

Since the mindstreams of beings are not established as two,
By leaving the nature of mind unaltered in its own place, it is liberated.
If one does not know that this very mistake is mind,
One will never realize the meaning of dharmatā.
Look into yourself at self-originated, self-arisen self-clarity.

Where do these appearances arise from at first?
Where do they abide in the middle?
Where do they go at the end?
When one looks, it is like a crow on a ship:
Although it flies away from the ship, there is nowhere else for it to land.
Likewise, because appearances arise in mind,
They arise in one’s own mind and are liberated in mind.

Everything that Appears is Mind

This nature of mind, all-knowing and all-discerning, empty and clear:
Like the sky, in which clarity and emptiness are inseparable from the beginning,
When self-originated pristine consciousness is manifestly clear
And is settled with certainty, that itself is dharmatā.

The sign that this is so is that all appearance, existence, and peace
Is known as one’s own mind.
Since this nature of mind is knowing and clear,
Understand it to be like the sky.

Although the sky is posited as an example symbolizing dharmatā,
It is only a symbolic indication, illustrating a mere aspect for the time being.
The nature of mind possesses vidyā, is empty, and is clear as anything.
The sky is without vidyā; it is empty, a blank void.
Therefore, the meaning of mind is not fully illustrated by the sky.
Without distraction, rest in that very state.

Even these various relative appearances
Are not established as even one thing, although they are taken to be true.
Therefore, all appearance and existence, saṃsāra and nirvāṇa,
Are the visible display of one’s own single nature of mind.

Whenever one’s own mindstream changes,
External visible appearances also seem to change.
Therefore, everything is the visible display of mind.
The six classes of beings see their respective appearances.
The non-Buddhist outsiders see in terms of the dualism of eternalism and nihilism.
The nine successive vehicles see according to their respective views.
Seeing multiplicity and the non-identity of multiplicity,
They grasp at difference and are deluded by their respective attachments.

Because all appearances are mind’s vidyā,
Even though visible appearances arise, not grasping them is Buddhahood.
Appearances are not mistaken; one is mistaken by grasping.
If one knows grasping thoughts to be mind, they are naturally liberated.

Whatever appears, everything is the appearance of mind:

  • Even the appearance of the inanimate container-world is mind.
  • Even the appearance of the animate six classes of sentient beings is mind.
  • Even the appearance of the happiness of gods and humans in the higher realms is mind.
  • Even the appearance of the suffering of the three lower realms is mind.
  • Even the appearance of ignorance, afflictions, and the five poisons is mind.
  • Even the appearance of vidyā as self-originated pristine consciousness is mind.
  • Even the appearance of habitual tendencies, bad thoughts, and saṃsāra is mind.
  • Even the appearance of good thoughts and the realm of nirvāṇa is mind.
  • Even the appearance of obstacles, māras, and demons is mind.
  • Even the appearance of gods and excellent siddhis is mind.
  • Even the appearance of various discursive thoughts is mind.
  • Even abiding in the meditation of one-pointed non-thought is mind.
  • Even the appearance of colors and substantial marks is mind.
  • Even being without characteristics and without elaboration is mind.
  • Even the appearance of the nonduality of one and many is mind.
  • Even the appearance of not being established as existence or non-existence is mind.
  • Apart from mind, there are no appearances whatsoever.

Although the nature of mind is unobstructed and any appearance may arise,
Even when appearances arise, like water and waves of the ocean,
They are nondual and are liberated in the state of mind.

Although names are unobstructed and any name may be applied,
In actuality, nothing exists apart from the single nature of mind.
Even that singleness is without basis and without root.
If one looks in any direction, not even one thing is seen.

It is not seen as a substance, nor is it established as anything.
It is not seen as mere emptiness, for it is the radiance of knowing clarity.
It is not seen as distinct, for it is the state of inseparable clarity and emptiness.

Right now, one’s own vidyā is vivid and clear.
Even if one tries to make it into something, there is no way to do so.
Although it has no nature of its own, it is directly experienced.
When this itself is experienced, everything is liberated.
One realizes that faculties are neither sharp nor dull.

Although sesame seeds and milk contain the source of oil and butter,
Without pressing or churning, oil and butter do not emerge.
Likewise, although all beings are the actual essence of Buddhahood,
If one does not practice, sentient beings will not awaken.
If one practices, even a cowherd will be liberated.

Although one may not know how to explain it, one ascertains it directly.
When brown sugar has been tasted in one’s own mouth,
One does not need another person to explain its taste.
Not realizing this, even paṇḍitas are deluded.
Even if one is learned in explaining the objects of knowledge of the nine vehicles,
It is like telling a story about a distant place one has never seen.
One has not come even an instant closer to Buddhahood.

If one realizes this, virtue and negativity are liberated in their own place.
If one does not realize this, whatever virtue or negativity one performs,
One will not go beyond saṃsāra, the higher and lower realms.

The moment one realizes one’s own mind as empty, clear pristine consciousness,
Virtue and negativity, benefit and harm, are not established whatsoever.
Just as water does not gather in empty space,
Virtue and negativity have not been established from the beginning in emptiness itself.

Therefore, for the direct encounter with one’s own vidyā,
This Self-Liberation through Naked Seeing is exceedingly profound.
Therefore, become familiar with this vidyā of your own.

Profound. Sealed, sealed, sealed.

Colophon

Emaho!

As for this Introduction to Knowledge (Vidyā): Self-Liberation through Naked Seeing:
For the benefit of fortunate ones in the future, in the dregs of time,
All tantras, āgamas, pith instructions, and experiences of one’s own vidyā
I have gathered here in a condensed, brief, and clear expression of intent.
Although I do not spread it abroad now, I conceal it as a precious treasure.
May it meet with those whose karmic fortune ripens in the future.

Samaya. Sealed, sealed, sealed.

The profound Dharma teaching that directly introduces vidyā, called Self-Liberation through Naked Seeing, composed by the Master of Oḍḍiyāna, Padmasambhava, is complete.

Samaya. Sealed, sealed, sealed.

The treasure revealer, the siddha Karma Lingpa, brought this forth from Gampo Dar, the mountain of the dancing deity.


Brief QA Notes for This Second-Pass Revision

  • Rig pa: rendered mainly as vidyā, with “knowledge” as explanatory English, not as “Awareness.”
  • Ye shes: rendered as “pristine consciousness,” kept distinct from rig pa.
  • Shes pa: rendered as “consciousness” or “knowing consciousness,” depending on context.
  • Gsal ba / rang gsal: rendered as “clarity,” “clear,” or “self-clarity,” not as a substantial luminous Self.
  • Self-liberation: preserved as the liberation of appearances/thoughts in their own place, not as the endurance of a changeless background.
  • Whole-text polish: tightened awkward literal phrases, reduced pronoun ambiguity, restored some Tibetan metaphors such as “stakes” and “nails,” and improved consistency between vidyā, consciousness, clarity, mind, and pristine consciousness.
Soh

才與 Yin Ling 討論時,我重新讀到達賴喇嘛書中的一段文字。寫得很好,所以想分享。

尊者達賴喇嘛:大圓滿(Dzogchen)和大手印(Mahāmudrā)

依經教而言,單是禪修心清明而能知的本性,或單是禪修可轉化佛性,並不能根除煩惱。不過,這確實會讓我們更有信心:煩惱並不是心中本具的一部分,因此成佛是可能的。

這又會引導我們追問:是什麼染污了心?又有什麼能夠徹底消除這些染污?爲了尋求淨化可轉化佛性的方法,我們會修習證悟無自性空性的智慧,並斷除無明。

依大圓滿和大手印而言,禪修心清明而能知的本性,可能令粗分氣消融,並使最微細的光明心顯現。此時,若修行者先前已經修習了對空性的正確理解,便會把這種理解融入禪修,並運用俱生光明心來證悟空性、斷除煩惱。

從大圓滿和大手印的角度,正確理解《寶性論》(Sublime Continuum)非常重要。有些人按字面理解它,由此誤以爲本初覺智是常住的、實有的、不依賴任何其他因素,也不依因緣而生。於是他們會說出諸如“如果你解開這個祕密,就會解脫”之類的話。

多智欽·吉美丹貝尼瑪(Dodrup Jigme Tenpai Nyima,1865–1926)及其弟子楚臣桑波(Tsultrim Zangpo,1884–約1957)是偉大的大圓滿學者兼修行者。他們說,僅僅因爲我們具有這種本初覺智,並不足以讓我們解脫。爲什麼呢?臨終時,其他一切心識都已消融,只剩下本初之心。雖然在我們輪迴中無數次死亡時它都曾顯現,但這並沒有幫助我們成就佛果。

這兩位大德說,若要成佛,必須運用本初覺智來證悟空性;唯有如此才會令我們解脫。這與宗喀巴大師的知見一致。

有些大圓滿和大手印的註釋說:安住於煩惱中的這份智慧就是真實智慧;基於這一點,每一個有情衆生本來已經是佛。雖然我們從無始以來就是佛,但仍須再次被“喚醒”。我們現在具有的智慧,就是佛陀的遍知心;佛陀三身本來具足於每一個有情衆生。有情衆生具有一個本質清淨之基;這並不只是空性,而是具足三方面。

其體是法身——即本初覺智的安住方式;其性是受用身——也就是此心的顯現面向;而悲心是化身——也就是它的光明流露或表現。簡言之,他們說三種佛身在我們的平常狀態中都已圓滿具足,只是因爲被障蔽,我們才沒有覺察到它們已然具足。

如果把這些說法照字面理解,就會帶來許多問題。有些人批判時帶有偏頗,而且並不公允,只駁斥某些傳承中的誤解;章嘉·若必多吉(Changkya Rolpai Dorje,1717–1786)則不偏不倚,指出了藏傳佛教四大傳統——包括他自己的格魯派——中都可能出現的錯誤解釋。

他在《體驗知見之道歌》(Song of the Experience of the View)中說:“我說這些,並不是對那些上師不敬;只是也許他們較少有機會對大論典作嚴密的哲學探究,因此未能恰當地使用某些術語。”也就是說,他們主張中的困難,在於寬泛使用了一些並未立足於大論典權威的術語。

當然,章嘉的評論並不適用於多智欽·吉美丹貝尼瑪以及他的上師阿瓦·旁楚(Awa Pangchu)這樣的真正大圓滿和大手印大師;他們曾嚴肅研習並檢驗大論典,並以此爲依據來安立他們對大圓滿的理解。他們的解釋和著述都非常卓越。

藏傳佛教四大傳統都教授探尋心的修法:探究心從何而來、往何處去、它有什麼形狀和顏色等等。談到這種共同修法時,章嘉說,當我們這樣尋覓之後,會發現心並不是可觸摸的實體,沒有顏色和形狀,也不是從某處來、往某處去。發現這一點後,禪修者會生起一種空無感。

然而,這種空無並不是心之究竟實相——無自性空性;它只是“心並非可觸摸之物”的單純缺失。即使有人把這種空無誤認爲究竟實相,並長期安住其中禪修,那也不是在禪修心的究竟本性。禪修心有兩種方式。第一種如上所述,檢驗心是否具有顏色、形狀、位置、可觸性等等。

這會讓人感受到:心的世俗本性並不具有這些特質。第二種則是禪修心的究竟本性:檢驗心的究竟存在方式,並發現它無自性空。

若有人混淆這兩種禪修心的方法,以爲心沒有可觸性、沒有顏色等等就是心的究竟本性,便可能批評陳那、法稱等大師對辯論、理則和推理所作的精細闡釋,認爲這些只會增加先入之見。另一位能夠公允分析藏傳佛教各傳統的大師——貢唐·貢卻丹貝仲美(Gungtang Konchog Tenpai Dronme,1762–1823)——對此感到驚訝。

有些人認爲,在修道上不需要推理或探究,只要對上師具足信心、接受上師加持,本初覺智就會生起。有鑑於此,我非常欣慰地看到,現在有更多講授印度與西藏傳統哲學典籍的學術院校(shedra)建立起來。

有些西方人同樣不重視佛法的學習與探究,也許是因爲佛法在西方仍相對新。缺乏對佛法的全面理解時,人們往往會尋求最容易、最快捷的覺醒之道——一條不需要捨棄執著的道路。這樣的態度在藏人當中也同樣存在。

宗喀巴大師曾說,許多人認爲佛陀的功德令人讚歎;可是當善知識以理證和經教引文說明如何獲得這些功德時,他們便灰心喪氣,說:“誰真能成就那樣的證悟呢?”

我們已經是佛了嗎?

在《如來藏經》(Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra)中,佛陀開示:每一個有情衆生都具有一個常住、堅固、恆常而不壞的如來藏;它是具足佛陀三十二相的圓滿佛身(kāya)。

於是便會產生這些疑問:如果我們內在已經有一尊已證悟的佛,豈不是成了“無明的佛”嗎?如果我們現在就是實際的佛,那麼修道還有什麼意義?如果我們已經是佛,卻仍須淨化染污,豈不是佛也有染污嗎?如果我們具有一個常住、堅固且恆常的本質,豈不是與無我教法相違,反而類似外道所主張的我或靈魂嗎?大慧(Mahāmati)在《楞伽經》(Descent into Lanka Sūtra)中也向佛陀提出同樣的疑問:

“(佛在某些經中)所宣說的如來藏,被說成本性爲光明,從本以來完全清淨,並且在一切有情的身中具足三十二相。

如果佛說此如來藏如同被污布包裹的寶石:被蘊、界、處之布包裹並染污;被貪、瞋、癡之力壓伏;被分別概念的垢染污;並且是常住、堅固、恆常的,那麼這所宣說的如來藏,與外道所宣說的我有何不同呢?”[88]

有些藏地學者把“常住、堅固、恆常的佛性”這一教法照字面接受,認爲它是了義教。應成派(Prāsaṅgika)承接前文大慧提出的疑問,說這是不了義、需解釋的教法。他們並不是一時興起才這樣說,而是通過考量以下三點:

應成派考量點

1. 佛陀說這句話時,最終想表達的本意是什麼?
當佛陀說每個有情衆生都有一個常住、堅固、恆常的本質時,他真正的本意是:心的空性,即自然安住的佛性,才是常住、堅固、恆常的。正因爲心無自性,而染污是客塵,成佛才成爲可能。

2. 佛陀爲什麼這樣說?
佛陀之所以宣說一個常住、堅固、恆常且具足三十二相的本質,是爲了平息某些人對無我的恐懼,並逐步引導外道信衆圓滿證悟如如。此時,這些根機尚未成熟的人,對“常住本質”的觀念比較安心。無自性空性令他們害怕;他們誤以爲空性意味著一切法都完全不存在。

他們害怕通過證悟空性,自己會消失、不再存在。爲了平息這種恐懼,佛陀便以符合他們當前觀念的方式說法。後來,當他們更能接受時,佛陀才會教授真實義。這就像善巧的父母會把複雜觀念簡化,使年幼的孩子能夠理解。

3. 如果把這句話照字面理解,會產生哪些理性上的矛盾?
若把“常住、堅固、恆常的佛性”這一教法照字面接受爲究竟義,就會與佛陀在《般若經》中所闡明的空性與無我了義相衝突。在這些經典中,佛陀提出許多理據來破斥這種見解。此外,若照字面接受這種說法,佛陀的教法就會與主張常住自我的外道教法沒有差別。

無自性空性——也就是心的究竟實相和自然清淨——無差別地存在於一切有情之中。基於這一點,才說“有佛在其中”。但佛陀的究竟實相並不存在於有情衆生之中。

佛與有情衆生相同之處,在於他們心的究竟本性都是空性;但這種究竟實相並不相同:一個是佛陀之心的究竟實相——自性法身;另一個則是染污心的究竟實相。如果說自性法身存在於有情衆生之中,那麼我們也必須說,與它同一體性的智慧法身同樣存在於有情衆生之中。

那就意味著有情衆生已經遍知,這顯然並非事實!同樣,如果斷盡一切染污的清淨已經存在於普通有情衆生之中,就沒有任何東西能阻止他們直接現見自心的自然清淨;他們理應直接證悟空性。但事實也並非如此。

有些人說,具足二種清淨——自然清淨以及斷除一切染污之清淨——的法身,存在於有情衆生的心相續中;只是因爲有情被障蔽,所以沒有覺察到它。

如果真是如此,那麼究竟是誰的心被淨化?又是誰獲得了那種“斷盡一切染污的清淨”之自由?如果有情衆生本來就具有法身,就不需要修道、也不需要淨化自心,因爲從無始以來,他們的心就已經遠離客塵染污。

主張一尊具足三十二相的佛完整存在於一切有情的心相續中,這呼應了有神論關於永恆清淨、不變自我的理論。如果三十二相已經存在於我們之中,卻又說我們仍需修道來創造它們的因,那就自相矛盾了。

如果有人說這些相已經以未顯現的形式存在於我們之中,只需要使它們顯現出來,那就類似於數論派(Sāṃkhya)所謂“從自體生”的主張;因爲即便這尊佛已經存在,它仍須再次被生起,才能顯現出來。龍樹菩薩及其追隨者已經徹底破斥了“從自體生”。

經文接著記載佛陀的回答:

“大慧,我所宣說的如來藏,並不類似外道宣說自我。大慧,如來、阿羅漢、圓滿正等覺佛,以空性、圓滿清淨之邊際、涅槃、無生、無相、無願等詞義來指示如來藏。這樣做,是爲了讓幼稚的有情完全捨棄對無我的恐懼,並教導無分別境界、無顯現之界。”[89]

由此可見,佛陀會依衆生當下所需以及從長遠而言對其修道有益之處,善巧地教授不同觀念。我們也由此知道,必須深入思維教法,從不同角度加以探究,並結合推理所得以及閱讀其他經典所得的知識,來辨別其了義。

學習佛性的目的,是爲了明白心並非本身就有缺陷;相反,它可以被圓滿成就。不只是心可以被轉化;心中已經具有某種使它能夠被淨化並圓滿成就的因素。理解這一點,會給予我們極大的信心和力量,去修持那些淨化並圓滿我們自心的方法,使其成爲全然覺醒的佛心。

反思

  • 說“本初覺智安住於煩惱中”是什麼意思?
  • 我們是否已經是具智慧的佛,只是自己不知道而已?
  • 佛陀有煩惱嗎?
  • 佛陀說我們每個人都有一個常住、堅固且恆常的佛性。他說這話的最終本意是什麼?他這樣教導的目的是什麼?
  • 如果照字面理解這句話,會產生哪些邏輯矛盾?

摘自:達賴喇嘛、圖登秋準(Thubten Chodron)所著《輪迴、涅槃與佛性》(《智慧與慈悲文庫》第3卷,第372頁),Wisdom Publications,Kindle 版。


2025年更新:Nafis 發給我達賴喇嘛另一部著作中的一段精彩引文:

普通人死亡時的光明被說成是“有分別的”;在此語境中,這意味著心仍被障蔽。當普通有情經驗死亡時的根本俱生光明心時,他們並不了知此心具有所緣。有些學者主張,空性會顯現於死亡光明,但並未被確定了知;另一些學者則說,它的所緣是一種類似空性、卻並非無自性空性的空無。

無論哪一種說法,在死亡光明顯現時,現行無明雖暫時不現前,但這種止息只是暫時的;八十種指示性分別念及其他煩惱,會在中陰和下一次投生中再次現行。然而,若有人勤修密乘法門,就能利用光明中無明自然暫息的狀態來禪修空性。缺乏訓練的普通有情則錯失這個機會。對他們而言,光明顯現時,就好像他們的心陷入昏厥。

有些證量很高的修行者,在呼吸停止後,仍能於死亡光明中禪修數日。有些人由此獲得證悟,甚至獲得圓滿覺醒。然而,臨終時安住於光明中,並不一定表示具有瑜伽證量。有些看起來並非瑜伽行者的人——雖然他們在生前或許曾體驗過某種形式的光明——也會因爲其他因緣而安住於光明中。最可能的原因,是他們善德的力量。

雖然如此,如果他們缺乏證悟空性的智慧,便無法從安住於光明中得到巨大利益。

所有大德都強調理解心性的關鍵意義。在圓滿次第中,這指的是顯現喻光明與義光明——也就是能夠證悟空性的心識狀態。能夠做到這一點的瑜伽士,已接近佛地。這些心識狀態遠比波羅蜜多乘所運用的心識微細。

義光明,就是能證悟空性的根本俱生光明心;它通過令一切氣消融於心間中脈而顯現。此外,空性的所依非常特殊:它不再是我們平常五蘊那樣的染污對象,而是已經被淨化的最微細心。

簡言之,在圓滿次第的高階位上,根本俱生光明心證悟自身的空性本質;這賦予它特別的力量,能夠從心中斷除染污。能取(最微細心)與所取(空性)二者皆得清淨。

這就是密續中“證悟心性”的含義;這樣的證悟會迅速引向圓滿覺醒,也就是我們的最終目標。當岡波巴初次見到密勒日巴時,曾誇耀自己具有強大的單點專注。密勒日巴回答:“那很好,但我了知自己的心性。”

標籤:佛性、空性、尊者達賴喇嘛


此外,與此相關的還有:

Soh 寫信給 Mr. J: 正如 John Tan 之前所說,並且許多經歷過相似階段的人(包括 Ācārya Malcolm Smith、達賴喇嘛等)也曾重申過:修行過程中存在明顯的階段。認識覺知(Awareness,雖然 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 並不以相同方式使用此術語),也就是認識明(rig pa / vidyā)中那無造作的清明面向,與證悟空性是不同的體證。甚至龍欽巴(Longchenpa)及其他大圓滿大師也會指出,證悟空性要到妥噶(Thögal)四相中的第三相才真正發生。

John Tan 回應 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 2020 年一篇文章時寫道:

“這正如我對你所說的,本質上強調:‘明心非見性。先明心,後見性。’
(Soh 注:明心即領會心識,而非見其性;先領會心識,後體證本性。)

首先是直接認出心/識——明心(Soh:領會心識)。有一種直接途徑,就像禪宗的頓悟本心、大手印、大圓滿的直接直指明(rig pa / vidyā),甚至 Advaita 的自我探究——也就是不經中介、直接、即刻地感知‘識’。這些都是相同的。

然而,那並不是空性的體證。空性的體證即爲見性。依我之見,雖然存在通向明心的直接途徑,但我還沒有見過任何通向見性的直接途徑。如果你深入探究我們心識結構的深度與微細之處,就會明白盲點是多麼深邃、微妙。

因此,空性或‘空之本性’(Soh:空之本性)是佛教與其他宗教之間的主要區別。雖然無我(anatta)是直接體驗空性之味,但佛教無我與其他宗教所強調的無我之間仍有差別:這種無我是僅僅通過自我消融的體驗而感受到,還是由空性智慧觸發。

前者側重於無我,其整個修行途徑都是爲了消除自我;後者則是活在空性智慧中,並將空性的洞見與智慧應用於萬法。

至於空性,有一種細微區別:一方面是宗喀巴大師所指的‘看破自性見’,另一方面是果朗巴大師(Gorampa)所說的‘離於極端的空性’。兩者各有其深刻之處,因此不要胡說八道、用輕蔑言語談論結論;歸根結底(依我之見),它們是相同的。” — John Tan

達賴喇嘛:“本性(Nature)有許多不同層次。世俗層面,是一種本性;此外,還有其他不同層次。然後是究竟層面,也就是終極實相……所以,只要體認心的清明,那就是世俗層面。這與印度教徒是相通的。因此我們必須瞭解這些不同層次……”(見達賴喇嘛在新書中關於佛性、無我與空性的論述。)

或者,正如 Kyle Dixon 就徹卻(trekchö)的知見向 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 重申的那樣:

Kyle Dixon:是的,徹卻的真實狀態,就是瑜伽現量直觀空性的無分別等持。未覺悟者無法認識空性,但清明卻是可以被知道的。我們在體證空性之前所練習的名義上的徹卻,其運作都依靠清明面向(gsal cha)。名義上的“小”徹卻也稱爲“明瑜伽”。

Ācārya Malcolm Smith:“這個問題的表述並不準確。徹卻(trekchö)通常可概括爲一種將空性洞見與奢摩他相結合的修法。但在見道位以下,這種洞見是概念性的,是基於直指傳授時的喻智慧。因此,在踏上見道位之前,徹卻中所禪修的空性也是比量所得。實際上,般若波羅蜜多、大手印、禪宗等,與徹卻之間並沒有真正的區別。我聽說祖古烏金仁波切曾斷言徹卻存在於所有乘中。究竟是什麼使徹卻有別於其他直指法門?徹卻,和任何密咒乘修法一樣,都是基於加持/直指的。”

“事實上,人所安住的是空寂的清明。然而,在見道位以下,那清明中的空性是概念推理。不過,在修定時,我們只是安住於清明面向,而不陷入‘這是空的’之類概念。我們早已知道它是空的,因爲我們在心的 rushan(區分有寂)或漸頓空性的 semzin(持心法)中已經作過分析確認。”

以下是根據 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 2011 年關於此主題的發言編輯而成的一段說明:

認識明(rig pa / vidyā)與體證空性之間有什麼差別?認識明,意味著你是一位修行者;體證空性,意味著你是一位覺悟者(聖者 / ārya)。

認識明並不等於在初地進入見道位。一個人對空性的理解,不再只是智識構造,而成爲有效的現量經驗之時,就是達到見道位。[1] 換言之,當一個人不再把諸法實體化爲四邊(四個極端)時,那就是對空性的現量直觀。在那之前,你的“空性”仍只是一個否定序列的智識,也許是準確的,但依然是概念性的。此處在 Dzogchen 中體證的空性,與其他大乘宗派中體證空性的意義相同。

對明的認識,即是對清明的認識。它只是關於自己修行所依工作基的明(rig pa / vidyā),而不是智識性的“知識”。這種對明的認識——對基的明——並不要求預先體證空性。若真如此,非聖者就根本無法修行 Dzogchen。所以,需要正確的理解,但不要求已經體證空性。因此,這種認識並不等同於見道位中對空性的體證;它只是一種喻智慧。

體證空性也不是徹卻基本要求的前提;徹卻的基本要求,是穩定安住於一剎那無造作之識(ma bcos pa shes pa skad gcig ma)。只需要對空性有正確理解。

這種對空性的理解雖是必要條件,但絕不等於體證空性。空性的體驗,是體驗一種不被概念染污的識(shes pa),常被稱爲覺察兩念之間的間隙。如果你依循 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 的教法,卻把這種體驗稱爲“法身”,那是錯誤的;它只是無常的體驗。

就妥噶及四相而言,只要你仍繼續把諸法實體化,就不會達到第三相。這也是現代 Dzogchen 修法爲何更強調徹卻基礎、而非妥噶之道的主要原因。如果你是一位初地菩薩等,Dzogchen 中的四相顯現會非常非常迅速。然而,由於僅靠徹卻修習並不能保證必然體證空性,因此也推薦拙火(tummo)等修法。
[1] 詳見《現觀莊嚴論》(Abhisamayālaṃkāra)。

Soh Wei Yu:rig pa skad cig ma 是最初未成熟的明(vidyā / rig pa)。

Kyle Dixon:“如果心性被證悟……”

有一系列可以被認識與體證的層面,從明(vidyā / rig pa)到心性(sems nyid),二者在技術上並非同義。在其中,我們必須區分 ngo shes(認識)、rtogs pa(體證),再到 grol ba(解脫)。對 sems nyid 的認識並不等於體證 sems nyid;同樣,最初以心所形式出現的明(rig pa skad cig ma)——Norbu Rinpoche 所稱的“瞬時臨在(Instant Presence)”——其性質並不等同於明的終極表達,也就是那知曉心之精要(snying po)的狀態。

所以,這個議題其實並不是那麼簡單明瞭。

“這就是爲什麼第一相有時被譯爲‘顯現內在實相’(出自達賴喇嘛的《Dzogchen》中關於第一相的說法),或‘直接體驗法性’(出自《A Guide to the Practice of Ngöndro》)。直接體驗法性並不排除空性。”

是的,這個議題確實頗爲有趣。第一相中,chos nyid 在 chos nyid mngon sum(“法性現前相”)這一說法裏,實際上與經乘中“法性”的用法不同。在這裏,當我們看到 chos nyid 時,它表示 rig pa mngon sum du gtan la phebs,也就是“在現量中確定明(vidyā)”。因此,在第一相中,我們所說的法性並不是空性,而是一個用來指稱通過現量(pratyakṣa)所確定之明(rig pa)顯現的術語。

當空性得到全面體證時,便進入第三相,稱爲“明量圓滿相”(vidyā 的圓滿尺度),因爲那時,在體證空性與無生之後,我們對諸法的明(vidyā)已經完整,達到圓滿境。

“我們並沒有任何誤解。再次說明,這是修辭與實相的差別。直到第三相以前,‘空性’仍然被障蔽;因此在直指傳授時,它只是修辭上的說法。心性,作爲非二元的清明與空性,直到第三相才被真正體證;這同樣是依龍欽巴、Khenpo Ngachung 等所說。我們在直指傳授中通常認識到的是什麼?我們認識到清明(gsal ba),以及伴隨清明而來的明(vidyā)面向。明支撐我們的修行,但明並不是 citta dharmatā,也就是心性。

這就是爲什麼前兩相類似奢摩他,而後兩相類似毗鉢舍那。”
“我從未見過有人在直指傳授時獲得任何對空性的洞見。倒是見過很多人認識到剎那之明(rig pa skad cig ma)。我不敢自稱比龍欽巴和 Khenpo Ngachung 等大師更懂;他們都指出,空性直到第三相才真正體證。如果你另有看法,我們可以各持己見。” — Kyle Dixon

Kyle Dixon:有人問:

大家好!🤗 我在理解 Rigpa 作爲 AtR 階段定義時遇到了困難。感覺它就像我所處的“I AM”階段,但我想要發問,因爲我覺得自己似乎遺漏了什麼。我已經閱讀了 AtR 上那篇《對“Rigpa”術語的澄清》……但仍有些不確定和困惑。謝謝 🙏🏻

Soh 回覆道:“感覺確實像是‘I AM’階段。”你不能這樣說,因爲存在多種模式。Kyle Dixon 舉例列出了五種類型的明(vidyā / rig pa)。

Kyle Dixon 之前曾分享:
這只是對“住、動、明”三分法(gnas gyu rig gsum)中初步洞見的認識(ngo shes)。這便是以心所形式出現的剎那之明(skad cig ma yi rig pa),在“知住動者”(gnas gyu shes pa)的語境中,表現爲一個“不變背景”;在這個背景上,靜止(gnas pa)與運動(gyu ba)的“流動體驗”得以發生。

這意味著,上述討論的是未成熟的明(ma smin pa’i rig pa)。這種明的模式必須通過證悟之智慧(prajñā)的體證而成熟。正如龍欽巴在《句義寶藏論》(Tshig don mdzod)中所說:“此外,由基而生的明(rig pa)如同種子;其結果既可能導向解脫,也可能導向迷亂,因此稱爲‘未成熟的明’:使其成熟爲圓滿佛果的,是證悟之智慧(prajñā)。”

無論它是否成爲體證(rtogs pa),上述所描述的認識確實就是我們作爲修行基石所採用的知見;但這種知見只是底層,它需要被培養、成熟並圓滿。

……

法王晉美彭措(Khenpo Jikphun)對這一段的評註說:

“你具有自然狀態之基(gzhi)。由於該狀態的動態性,基中有一種明(rig pa)閃現而出。它閃現(‘phags pa)的方式(tshul)是不確定的(ma nges pa),因爲這種方式的性質會隨著體證而改變。因此,這種明之狀態被稱爲‘未成熟’(ma smin pa),因爲它尚未通過智慧(prajñā)而成熟。如果沒有認識到從基中閃現的聲音、光芒與光線之本質,就會進入無明(ma rig pa)的模式,並誤入迷亂;如果認識到這種閃現的本質——聲音與光線作爲我們自身的自然顯現(rang snang)——就會進入明(rig pa)與解脫(grol ba)的模式。當那明被清楚地體證爲其本來狀態之後,不確定性便消失。”

如果我們只是認識到心的背景覺知能力,就等於認識了清明(gsal ba)。然而,我們尚未“體證”,因爲我們還沒有體證諸法之性,或體證究竟的心性;這種心性直到第三相才得以體證。

我把“體證者”定義爲對心性及諸法具有知見的人。終極“體證”的明之表達,實際上是一種 jñāna(覺智),也就是親證事物本來面目的智慧,即 pratyātma vid(一種個人親證之覺智)。

在未成熟的明中,覺智(jñāna)尚未出現。它是明中潛藏的可能性,但尚未表現爲一種活躍的認知方式,因爲 rtsal(潛能/動態能量)尚未被認識爲自顯(rang snang)。相反,它被外化並具體化爲客觀的現象、人物、地點、事物以及五大。只要內界與外界的二分仍然存在,個體在技術上就還未“體證”。

若你願意把對瞬時臨在的認識稱爲“體證”,我想你可以;但認識(ngo shes)、體證(rtogs pa)與解脫(grol ba)這三者之所以並列建立,是有原因的。

……

一個不變的背景,對照著不斷變化的體驗,這是最初的知見。這並不是成熟的知見。在真正體證的等持中,沒有不變背景,也沒有變化的體驗。

……

這就是最初形式的明,是的,雖然不是“終極”形式。終極形式與智慧(shes rab / prajñā)同義。

進一步說明:Norbu Rinpoche 在上述引文中討論 rig pa 時,是在 gnas gyu rig gsum(住、動、明)的語境中說明的。此處的 rig pa 定義爲 gnas gyu shes pa,即“知住動者”。Norbu Rinpoche 明確指出,這種初始形式的明,只是對自己心識清明的領會;因此稱爲“明”,因爲它屬於 shes pa(知/識)的一種。

這種類型的明可以被認識,並可作爲修行基石;但它尚未達到伴隨本初覺智(ye shes / jñāna)的覺悟形態。作爲單純心識清明之表現的這種初步明,是一種較粗的明,表現爲無垢友(Vimalamitra)所謂的識蘊(vijñāna skandha)。他稱之爲“取相之明”。無垢友把這種明定義爲:“把現象歸爲普遍性、僅僅作爲個人名相來把握的明;也就是被無數認知污染的、單純非概念化的自知。”Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 稱這種明的模式爲“被誤認爲虛幻心的明”,也稱之爲“取相之明”。

Jean-Luc Achard 將這種明稱爲“未成熟的明”(ma smin pa’i rig pa)。

Tsoknyi Rinpoche 明確指出,我們不應把這種初步形式的明與究竟覺悟的明混爲一談:

“這種初期覺察或觀察心是否安住、是否有念頭生起的階段,也稱爲 rigpa。然而,它的含義不同於大圓滿中所說的自生之明(rang byung rig pa)。” — Tsoknyi Rinpoche

他的父親,Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche,也如此說明:

“在安住、念頭生起以及覺察之中,rigpa 一詞用於指察覺。而自生之明也稱爲 rigpa。詞雖相同,含義卻不同。這兩種修行的差別,就像天與地之間的距離一樣巨大。” — Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche
Soh

才与 Yin Ling 讨论时,我重新读到达赖喇嘛书中的一段文字。写得很好,所以想分享。

尊者达赖喇嘛:大圆满(Dzogchen)和大手印(Mahāmudrā)

依经教而言,单是禅修心清明而能知的本性,或单是禅修可转化佛性,并不能根除烦恼。不过,这确实会让我们更有信心:烦恼并不是心中本具的一部分,因此成佛是可能的。

这又会引导我们追问:是什么染污了心?又有什么能够彻底消除这些染污?为了寻求净化可转化佛性的方法,我们会修习证悟无自性空性的智慧,并断除无明。

依大圆满和大手印而言,禅修心清明而能知的本性,可能令粗分气消融,并使最微细的光明心显现。此时,若修行者先前已经修习了对空性的正确理解,便会把这种理解融入禅修,并运用俱生光明心来证悟空性、断除烦恼。

从大圆满和大手印的角度,正确理解《宝性论》(Sublime Continuum)非常重要。有些人按字面理解它,由此误以为本初觉智是常住的、实有的、不依赖任何其他因素,也不依因缘而生。于是他们会说出诸如“如果你解开这个秘密,就会解脱”之类的话。

多智钦·吉美丹贝尼玛(Dodrup Jigme Tenpai Nyima,1865–1926)及其弟子楚臣桑波(Tsultrim Zangpo,1884–约1957)是伟大的大圆满学者兼修行者。他们说,仅仅因为我们具有这种本初觉智,并不足以让我们解脱。为什么呢?临终时,其他一切心识都已消融,只剩下本初之心。虽然在我们轮回中无数次死亡时它都曾显现,但这并没有帮助我们成就佛果。

这两位大德说,若要成佛,必须运用本初觉智来证悟空性;唯有如此才会令我们解脱。这与宗喀巴大师的知见一致。

有些大圆满和大手印的注释说:安住于烦恼中的这份智慧就是真实智慧;基于这一点,每一个有情众生本来已经是佛。虽然我们从无始以来就是佛,但仍须再次被“唤醒”。我们现在具有的智慧,就是佛陀的遍知心;佛陀三身本来具足于每一个有情众生。有情众生具有一个本质清净之基;这并不只是空性,而是具足三方面。

其体是法身——即本初觉智的安住方式;其性是受用身——也就是此心的显现面向;而悲心是化身——也就是它的光明流露或表现。简言之,他们说三种佛身在我们的平常状态中都已圆满具足,只是因为被障蔽,我们才没有觉察到它们已然具足。

如果把这些说法照字面理解,就会带来许多问题。有些人批判时带有偏颇,而且并不公允,只驳斥某些传承中的误解;章嘉·若必多吉(Changkya Rolpai Dorje,1717–1786)则不偏不倚,指出了藏传佛教四大传统——包括他自己的格鲁派——中都可能出现的错误解释。

他在《体验知见之道歌》(Song of the Experience of the View)中说:“我说这些,并不是对那些上师不敬;只是也许他们较少有机会对大论典作严密的哲学探究,因此未能恰当地使用某些术语。”也就是说,他们主张中的困难,在于宽泛使用了一些并未立足于大论典权威的术语。

当然,章嘉的评论并不适用于多智钦·吉美丹贝尼玛以及他的上师阿瓦·旁楚(Awa Pangchu)这样的真正大圆满和大手印大师;他们曾严肃研习并检验大论典,并以此为依据来安立他们对大圆满的理解。他们的解释和著述都非常卓越。

藏传佛教四大传统都教授探寻心的修法:探究心从何而来、往何处去、它有什么形状和颜色等等。谈到这种共同修法时,章嘉说,当我们这样寻觅之后,会发现心并不是可触摸的实体,没有颜色和形状,也不是从某处来、往某处去。发现这一点后,禅修者会生起一种空无感。

然而,这种空无并不是心之究竟实相——无自性空性;它只是“心并非可触摸之物”的单纯缺失。即使有人把这种空无误认为究竟实相,并长期安住其中禅修,那也不是在禅修心的究竟本性。禅修心有两种方式。第一种如上所述,检验心是否具有颜色、形状、位置、可触性等等。

这会让人感受到:心的世俗本性并不具有这些特质。第二种则是禅修心的究竟本性:检验心的究竟存在方式,并发现它无自性空。

若有人混淆这两种禅修心的方法,以为心没有可触性、没有颜色等等就是心的究竟本性,便可能批评陈那、法称等大师对辩论、理则和推理所作的精细阐释,认为这些只会增加先入之见。另一位能够公允分析藏传佛教各传统的大师——贡唐·贡却丹贝仲美(Gungtang Konchog Tenpai Dronme,1762–1823)——对此感到惊讶。

有些人认为,在修道上不需要推理或探究,只要对上师具足信心、接受上师加持,本初觉智就会生起。有鉴于此,我非常欣慰地看到,现在有更多讲授印度与西藏传统哲学典籍的学术院校(shedra)建立起来。

有些西方人同样不重视佛法的学习与探究,也许是因为佛法在西方仍相对新。缺乏对佛法的全面理解时,人们往往会寻求最容易、最快捷的觉醒之道——一条不需要舍弃执著的道路。这样的态度在藏人当中也同样存在。

宗喀巴大师曾说,许多人认为佛陀的功德令人赞叹;可是当善知识以理证和经教引文说明如何获得这些功德时,他们便灰心丧气,说:“谁真能成就那样的证悟呢?”

我们已经是佛了吗?

在《如来藏经》(Tathāgatagarbha Sūtra)中,佛陀开示:每一个有情众生都具有一个常住、坚固、恒常而不坏的如来藏;它是具足佛陀三十二相的圆满佛身(kāya)。

于是便会产生这些疑问:如果我们内在已经有一尊已证悟的佛,岂不是成了“无明的佛”吗?如果我们现在就是实际的佛,那么修道还有什么意义?如果我们已经是佛,却仍须净化染污,岂不是佛也有染污吗?如果我们具有一个常住、坚固且恒常的本质,岂不是与无我教法相违,反而类似外道所主张的我或灵魂吗?大慧(Mahāmati)在《楞伽经》(Descent into Lanka Sūtra)中也向佛陀提出同样的疑问:

“(佛在某些经中)所宣说的如来藏,被说成本性为光明,从本以来完全清净,并且在一切有情的身中具足三十二相。

如果佛说此如来藏如同被污布包裹的宝石:被蕴、界、处之布包裹并染污;被贪、瞋、痴之力压伏;被分别概念的垢染污;并且是常住、坚固、恒常的,那么这所宣说的如来藏,与外道所宣说的我有何不同呢?”[88]

有些藏地学者把“常住、坚固、恒常的佛性”这一教法照字面接受,认为它是了义教。应成派(Prāsaṅgika)承接前文大慧提出的疑问,说这是不了义、需解释的教法。他们并不是一时兴起才这样说,而是通过考量以下三点:

应成派考量点

1. 佛陀说这句话时,最终想表达的本意是什么?
当佛陀说每个有情众生都有一个常住、坚固、恒常的本质时,他真正的本意是:心的空性,即自然安住的佛性,才是常住、坚固、恒常的。正因为心无自性,而染污是客尘,成佛才成为可能。

2. 佛陀为什么这样说?
佛陀之所以宣说一个常住、坚固、恒常且具足三十二相的本质,是为了平息某些人对无我的恐惧,并逐步引导外道信众圆满证悟如如。此时,这些根机尚未成熟的人,对“常住本质”的观念比较安心。无自性空性令他们害怕;他们误以为空性意味着一切法都完全不存在。

他们害怕通过证悟空性,自己会消失、不再存在。为了平息这种恐惧,佛陀便以符合他们当前观念的方式说法。后来,当他们更能接受时,佛陀才会教授真实义。这就像善巧的父母会把复杂观念简化,使年幼的孩子能够理解。

3. 如果把这句话照字面理解,会产生哪些理性上的矛盾?
若把“常住、坚固、恒常的佛性”这一教法照字面接受为究竟义,就会与佛陀在《般若经》中所阐明的空性与无我了义相冲突。在这些经典中,佛陀提出许多理据来破斥这种见解。此外,若照字面接受这种说法,佛陀的教法就会与主张常住自我的外道教法没有差别。

无自性空性——也就是心的究竟实相和自然清净——无差别地存在于一切有情之中。基于这一点,才说“有佛在其中”。但佛陀的究竟实相并不存在于有情众生之中。

佛与有情众生相同之处,在于他们心的究竟本性都是空性;但这种究竟实相并不相同:一个是佛陀之心的究竟实相——自性法身;另一个则是染污心的究竟实相。如果说自性法身存在于有情众生之中,那么我们也必须说,与它同一体性的智慧法身同样存在于有情众生之中。

那就意味着有情众生已经遍知,这显然并非事实!同样,如果断尽一切染污的清净已经存在于普通有情众生之中,就没有任何东西能阻止他们直接现见自心的自然清净;他们理应直接证悟空性。但事实也并非如此。

有些人说,具足二种清净——自然清净以及断除一切染污之清净——的法身,存在于有情众生的心相续中;只是因为有情被障蔽,所以没有觉察到它。

如果真是如此,那么究竟是谁的心被净化?又是谁获得了那种“断尽一切染污的清净”之自由?如果有情众生本来就具有法身,就不需要修道、也不需要净化自心,因为从无始以来,他们的心就已经远离客尘染污。

主张一尊具足三十二相的佛完整存在于一切有情的心相续中,这呼应了有神论关于永恒清净、不变自我的理论。如果三十二相已经存在于我们之中,却又说我们仍需修道来创造它们的因,那就自相矛盾了。

如果有人说这些相已经以未显现的形式存在于我们之中,只需要使它们显现出来,那就类似于数论派(Sāṃkhya)所谓“从自体生”的主张;因为即便这尊佛已经存在,它仍须再次被生起,才能显现出来。龙树菩萨及其追随者已经彻底破斥了“从自体生”。

经文接着记载佛陀的回答:

“大慧,我所宣说的如来藏,并不类似外道宣说自我。大慧,如来、阿罗汉、圆满正等觉佛,以空性、圆满清净之边际、涅槃、无生、无相、无愿等词义来指示如来藏。这样做,是为了让幼稚的有情完全舍弃对无我的恐惧,并教导无分别境界、无显现之界。”[89]

由此可见,佛陀会依众生当下所需以及从长远而言对其修道有益之处,善巧地教授不同观念。我们也由此知道,必须深入思维教法,从不同角度加以探究,并结合推理所得以及阅读其他经典所得的知识,来辨别其了义。

学习佛性的目的,是为了明白心并非本身就有缺陷;相反,它可以被圆满成就。不只是心可以被转化;心中已经具有某种使它能够被净化并圆满成就的因素。理解这一点,会给予我们极大的信心和力量,去修持那些净化并圆满我们自心的方法,使其成为全然觉醒的佛心。

反思

  • 说“本初觉智安住于烦恼中”是什么意思?
  • 我们是否已经是具智慧的佛,只是自己不知道而已?
  • 佛陀有烦恼吗?
  • 佛陀说我们每个人都有一个常住、坚固且恒常的佛性。他说这话的最终本意是什么?他这样教导的目的是什么?
  • 如果照字面理解这句话,会产生哪些逻辑矛盾?

摘自:达赖喇嘛、图登秋准(Thubten Chodron)所著《轮回、涅槃与佛性》(《智慧与慈悲文库》第3卷,第372页),Wisdom Publications,Kindle 版。


2025年更新:Nafis 发给我达赖喇嘛另一部著作中的一段精彩引文:

普通人死亡时的光明被说成是“有分别的”;在此语境中,这意味着心仍被障蔽。当普通有情经验死亡时的根本俱生光明心时,他们并不了知此心具有所缘。有些学者主张,空性会显现于死亡光明,但并未被确定了知;另一些学者则说,它的所缘是一种类似空性、却并非无自性空性的空无。

无论哪一种说法,在死亡光明显现时,现行无明虽暂时不现前,但这种止息只是暂时的;八十种指示性分别念及其他烦恼,会在中阴和下一次投生中再次现行。然而,若有人勤修密乘法门,就能利用光明中无明自然暂息的状态来禅修空性。缺乏训练的普通有情则错失这个机会。对他们而言,光明显现时,就好像他们的心陷入昏厥。

有些证量很高的修行者,在呼吸停止后,仍能于死亡光明中禅修数日。有些人由此获得证悟,甚至获得圆满觉醒。然而,临终时安住于光明中,并不一定表示具有瑜伽证量。有些看起来并非瑜伽行者的人——虽然他们在生前或许曾体验过某种形式的光明——也会因为其他因缘而安住于光明中。最可能的原因,是他们善德的力量。

虽然如此,如果他们缺乏证悟空性的智慧,便无法从安住于光明中得到巨大利益。

所有大德都强调理解心性的关键意义。在圆满次第中,这指的是显现喻光明与义光明——也就是能够证悟空性的心识状态。能够做到这一点的瑜伽士,已接近佛地。这些心识状态远比波罗蜜多乘所运用的心识微细。

义光明,就是能证悟空性的根本俱生光明心;它通过令一切气消融于心间中脉而显现。此外,空性的所依非常特殊:它不再是我们平常五蕴那样的染污对象,而是已经被净化的最微细心。

简言之,在圆满次第的高阶位上,根本俱生光明心证悟自身的空性本质;这赋予它特别的力量,能够从心中断除染污。能取(最微细心)与所取(空性)二者皆得清净。

这就是密续中“证悟心性”的含义;这样的证悟会迅速引向圆满觉醒,也就是我们的最终目标。当冈波巴初次见到密勒日巴时,曾夸耀自己具有强大的单点专注。密勒日巴回答:“那很好,但我了知自己的心性。”

标签:佛性、空性、尊者达赖喇嘛


此外,与此相关的还有:

Soh 写信给 Mr. J: 正如 John Tan 之前所说,并且许多经历过相似阶段的人(包括 Ācārya Malcolm Smith、达赖喇嘛等)也曾重申过:修行过程中存在明显的阶段。认识觉知(Awareness,虽然 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 并不以相同方式使用此术语),也就是认识明(rig pa / vidyā)中那无造作的清明面向,与证悟空性是不同的体证。甚至龙钦巴(Longchenpa)及其他大圆满大师也会指出,证悟空性要到妥噶(Thögal)四相中的第三相才真正发生。

John Tan 回应 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 2020 年一篇文章时写道:

“这正如我对你所说的,本质上强调:‘明心非见性。先明心,后见性。’
(Soh 注:明心即领会心识,而非见其性;先领会心识,后体证本性。)

首先是直接认出心/识——明心(Soh:领会心识)。有一种直接途径,就像禅宗的顿悟本心、大手印、大圆满的直接直指明(rig pa / vidyā),甚至 Advaita 的自我探究——也就是不经中介、直接、即刻地感知‘识’。这些都是相同的。

然而,那并不是空性的体证。空性的体证即为见性。依我之见,虽然存在通向明心的直接途径,但我还没有见过任何通向见性的直接途径。如果你深入探究我们心识结构的深度与微细之处,就会明白盲点是多么深邃、微妙。

因此,空性或‘空之本性’(Soh:空之本性)是佛教与其他宗教之间的主要区别。虽然无我(anatta)是直接体验空性之味,但佛教无我与其他宗教所强调的无我之间仍有差别:这种无我是仅仅通过自我消融的体验而感受到,还是由空性智慧触发。

前者侧重于无我,其整个修行途径都是为了消除自我;后者则是活在空性智慧中,并将空性的洞见与智慧应用于万法。

至于空性,有一种细微区别:一方面是宗喀巴大师所指的‘看破自性见’,另一方面是果朗巴大师(Gorampa)所说的‘离于极端的空性’。两者各有其深刻之处,因此不要胡说八道、用轻蔑言语谈论结论;归根结底(依我之见),它们是相同的。” — John Tan

达赖喇嘛:“本性(Nature)有许多不同层次。世俗层面,是一种本性;此外,还有其他不同层次。然后是究竟层面,也就是终极实相……所以,只要体认心的清明,那就是世俗层面。这与印度教徒是相通的。因此我们必须了解这些不同层次……”(见达赖喇嘛在新书中关于佛性、无我与空性的论述。)

或者,正如 Kyle Dixon 就彻却(trekchö)的知见向 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 重申的那样:

Kyle Dixon:是的,彻却的真实状态,就是瑜伽现量直观空性的无分别等持。未觉悟者无法认识空性,但清明却是可以被知道的。我们在体证空性之前所练习的名义上的彻却,其运作都依靠清明面向(gsal cha)。名义上的“小”彻却也称为“明瑜伽”。

Ācārya Malcolm Smith:“这个问题的表述并不准确。彻却(trekchö)通常可概括为一种将空性洞见与奢摩他相结合的修法。但在见道位以下,这种洞见是概念性的,是基于直指传授时的喻智慧。因此,在踏上见道位之前,彻却中所禅修的空性也是比量所得。实际上,般若波罗蜜多、大手印、禅宗等,与彻却之间并没有真正的区别。我听说祖古乌金仁波切曾断言彻却存在于所有乘中。究竟是什么使彻却有别于其他直指法门?彻却,和任何密咒乘修法一样,都是基于加持/直指的。”

“事实上,人所安住的是空寂的清明。然而,在见道位以下,那清明中的空性是概念推理。不过,在修定时,我们只是安住于清明面向,而不陷入‘这是空的’之类概念。我们早已知道它是空的,因为我们在心的 rushan(区分有寂)或渐顿空性的 semzin(持心法)中已经作过分析确认。”

以下是根据 Ācārya Malcolm Smith 2011 年关于此主题的发言编辑而成的一段说明:

认识明(rig pa / vidyā)与体证空性之间有什么差别?认识明,意味着你是一位修行者;体证空性,意味着你是一位觉悟者(圣者 / ārya)。

认识明并不等于在初地进入见道位。一个人对空性的理解,不再只是智识构造,而成为有效的现量经验之时,就是达到见道位。[1] 换言之,当一个人不再把诸法实体化为四边(四个极端)时,那就是对空性的现量直观。在那之前,你的“空性”仍只是一个否定序列的智识,也许是准确的,但依然是概念性的。此处在 Dzogchen 中体证的空性,与其他大乘宗派中体证空性的意义相同。

对明的认识,即是对清明的认识。它只是关于自己修行所依工作基的明(rig pa / vidyā),而不是智识性的“知识”。这种对明的认识——对基的明——并不要求预先体证空性。若真如此,非圣者就根本无法修行 Dzogchen。所以,需要正确的理解,但不要求已经体证空性。因此,这种认识并不等同于见道位中对空性的体证;它只是一种喻智慧。

体证空性也不是彻却基本要求的前提;彻却的基本要求,是稳定安住于一刹那无造作之识(ma bcos pa shes pa skad gcig ma)。只需要对空性有正确理解。

这种对空性的理解虽是必要条件,但绝不等于体证空性。空性的体验,是体验一种不被概念染污的识(shes pa),常被称为觉察两念之间的间隙。如果你依循 Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 的教法,却把这种体验称为“法身”,那是错误的;它只是无常的体验。

就妥噶及四相而言,只要你仍继续把诸法实体化,就不会达到第三相。这也是现代 Dzogchen 修法为何更强调彻却基础、而非妥噶之道的主要原因。如果你是一位初地菩萨等,Dzogchen 中的四相显现会非常非常迅速。然而,由于仅靠彻却修习并不能保证必然体证空性,因此也推荐拙火(tummo)等修法。
[1] 详见《现观庄严论》(Abhisamayālaṃkāra)。

Soh Wei Yu:rig pa skad cig ma 是最初未成熟的明(vidyā / rig pa)。

Kyle Dixon:“如果心性被证悟……”

有一系列可以被认识与体证的层面,从明(vidyā / rig pa)到心性(sems nyid),二者在技术上并非同义。在其中,我们必须区分 ngo shes(认识)、rtogs pa(体证),再到 grol ba(解脱)。对 sems nyid 的认识并不等于体证 sems nyid;同样,最初以心所形式出现的明(rig pa skad cig ma)——Norbu Rinpoche 所称的“瞬时临在(Instant Presence)”——其性质并不等同于明的终极表达,也就是那知晓心之精要(snying po)的状态。

所以,这个议题其实并不是那么简单明了。

“这就是为什么第一相有时被译为‘显现内在实相’(出自达赖喇嘛的《Dzogchen》中关于第一相的说法),或‘直接体验法性’(出自《A Guide to the Practice of Ngöndro》)。直接体验法性并不排除空性。”

是的,这个议题确实颇为有趣。第一相中,chos nyid 在 chos nyid mngon sum(“法性现前相”)这一说法里,实际上与经乘中“法性”的用法不同。在这里,当我们看到 chos nyid 时,它表示 rig pa mngon sum du gtan la phebs,也就是“在现量中确定明(vidyā)”。因此,在第一相中,我们所说的法性并不是空性,而是一个用来指称通过现量(pratyakṣa)所确定之明(rig pa)显现的术语。

当空性得到全面体证时,便进入第三相,称为“明量圆满相”(vidyā 的圆满尺度),因为那时,在体证空性与无生之后,我们对诸法的明(vidyā)已经完整,达到圆满境。

“我们并没有任何误解。再次说明,这是修辞与实相的差别。直到第三相以前,‘空性’仍然被障蔽;因此在直指传授时,它只是修辞上的说法。心性,作为非二元的清明与空性,直到第三相才被真正体证;这同样是依龙钦巴、Khenpo Ngachung 等所说。我们在直指传授中通常认识到的是什么?我们认识到清明(gsal ba),以及伴随清明而来的明(vidyā)面向。明支撑我们的修行,但明并不是 citta dharmatā,也就是心性。

这就是为什么前两相类似奢摩他,而后两相类似毗钵舍那。”
“我从未见过有人在直指传授时获得任何对空性的洞见。倒是见过很多人认识到刹那之明(rig pa skad cig ma)。我不敢自称比龙钦巴和 Khenpo Ngachung 等大师更懂;他们都指出,空性直到第三相才真正体证。如果你另有看法,我们可以各持己见。” — Kyle Dixon

Kyle Dixon:有人问:

大家好!🤗 我在理解 Rigpa 作为 AtR 阶段定义时遇到了困难。感觉它就像我所处的“I AM”阶段,但我想要发问,因为我觉得自己似乎遗漏了什么。我已经阅读了 AtR 上那篇《对“Rigpa”术语的澄清》……但仍有些不确定和困惑。谢谢 🙏🏻

Soh 回覆道:“感觉确实像是‘I AM’阶段。”你不能这样说,因为存在多种模式。Kyle Dixon 举例列出了五种类型的明(vidyā / rig pa)。

Kyle Dixon 之前曾分享:
这只是对“住、动、明”三分法(gnas gyu rig gsum)中初步洞见的认识(ngo shes)。这便是以心所形式出现的刹那之明(skad cig ma yi rig pa),在“知住动者”(gnas gyu shes pa)的语境中,表现为一个“不变背景”;在这个背景上,静止(gnas pa)与运动(gyu ba)的“流动体验”得以发生。

这意味着,上述讨论的是未成熟的明(ma smin pa’i rig pa)。这种明的模式必须通过证悟之智慧(prajñā)的体证而成熟。正如龙钦巴在《句义宝藏论》(Tshig don mdzod)中所说:“此外,由基而生的明(rig pa)如同种子;其结果既可能导向解脱,也可能导向迷乱,因此称为‘未成熟的明’:使其成熟为圆满佛果的,是证悟之智慧(prajñā)。”

无论它是否成为体证(rtogs pa),上述所描述的认识确实就是我们作为修行基石所采用的知见;但这种知见只是底层,它需要被培养、成熟并圆满。

……

法王晋美彭措(Khenpo Jikphun)对这一段的评注说:

“你具有自然状态之基(gzhi)。由于该状态的动态性,基中有一种明(rig pa)闪现而出。它闪现(‘phags pa)的方式(tshul)是不确定的(ma nges pa),因为这种方式的性质会随着体证而改变。因此,这种明之状态被称为‘未成熟’(ma smin pa),因为它尚未通过智慧(prajñā)而成熟。如果没有认识到从基中闪现的声音、光芒与光线之本质,就会进入无明(ma rig pa)的模式,并误入迷乱;如果认识到这种闪现的本质——声音与光线作为我们自身的自然显现(rang snang)——就会进入明(rig pa)与解脱(grol ba)的模式。当那明被清楚地体证为其本来状态之后,不确定性便消失。”

如果我们只是认识到心的背景觉知能力,就等于认识了清明(gsal ba)。然而,我们尚未“体证”,因为我们还没有体证诸法之性,或体证究竟的心性;这种心性直到第三相才得以体证。

我把“体证者”定义为对心性及诸法具有知见的人。终极“体证”的明之表达,实际上是一种 jñāna(觉智),也就是亲证事物本来面目的智慧,即 pratyātma vid(一种个人亲证之觉智)。

在未成熟的明中,觉智(jñāna)尚未出现。它是明中潜藏的可能性,但尚未表现为一种活跃的认知方式,因为 rtsal(潜能/动态能量)尚未被认识为自显(rang snang)。相反,它被外化并具体化为客观的现象、人物、地点、事物以及五大。只要内界与外界的二分仍然存在,个体在技术上就还未“体证”。

若你愿意把对瞬时临在的认识称为“体证”,我想你可以;但认识(ngo shes)、体证(rtogs pa)与解脱(grol ba)这三者之所以并列建立,是有原因的。

……

一个不变的背景,对照着不断变化的体验,这是最初的知见。这并不是成熟的知见。在真正体证的等持中,没有不变背景,也没有变化的体验。

……

这就是最初形式的明,是的,虽然不是“终极”形式。终极形式与智慧(shes rab / prajñā)同义。

进一步说明:Norbu Rinpoche 在上述引文中讨论 rig pa 时,是在 gnas gyu rig gsum(住、动、明)的语境中说明的。此处的 rig pa 定义为 gnas gyu shes pa,即“知住动者”。Norbu Rinpoche 明确指出,这种初始形式的明,只是对自己心识清明的领会;因此称为“明”,因为它属于 shes pa(知/识)的一种。

这种类型的明可以被认识,并可作为修行基石;但它尚未达到伴随本初觉智(ye shes / jñāna)的觉悟形态。作为单纯心识清明之表现的这种初步明,是一种较粗的明,表现为无垢友(Vimalamitra)所谓的识蕴(vijñāna skandha)。他称之为“取相之明”。无垢友把这种明定义为:“把现象归为普遍性、仅仅作为个人名相来把握的明;也就是被无数认知污染的、单纯非概念化的自知。”Chögyal Namkhai Norbu 称这种明的模式为“被误认为虚幻心的明”,也称之为“取相之明”。

Jean-Luc Achard 将这种明称为“未成熟的明”(ma smin pa’i rig pa)。

Tsoknyi Rinpoche 明确指出,我们不应把这种初步形式的明与究竟觉悟的明混为一谈:

“这种初期觉察或观察心是否安住、是否有念头生起的阶段,也称为 rigpa。然而,它的含义不同于大圆满中所说的自生之明(rang byung rig pa)。” — Tsoknyi Rinpoche

他的父亲,Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche,也如此说明:

“在安住、念头生起以及觉察之中,rigpa 一词用于指察觉。而自生之明也称为 rigpa。词虽相同,含义却不同。这两种修行的差别,就像天与地之间的距离一样巨大。” — Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche