[无量香光 · 显密文库 · 手机站]
fowap.goodweb.net.cn
{返回首页}


Sustaining the Nature of Mind
 
{返回 Thrangu Rinpoche 文集}
{返回网页版}
点击:1761
Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
 
Sustaining the Nature of Mind
 
From: Songs of Naropa.*
 
Our nature does not go or stay anywhere since it is always with us. It does not become more present by going to the mountains and living in a hermitage. Our nature does not change according to circumstances. Therefore, moving about, staying somewhere, going or not going to the mountains – all these are superficial attributes that are not found in the basic nature itself. (Pages 150-151.)
 
As you know, Jetsun Milarepa sang many songs, which were very pithy and beneficial to those who listened and understood. Among those songs is one he sang for a woman called Paldabum. In the song she is referred to as being a female lay practitioner. In those days, there were women who would practice a lot but still led the life of lay people. They took vows to do intensive practice on the 8th or the 15th or the 30th day of the Tibetan month, and in between they would carry on their normal work. Milarepa had many such disciples. Paldabum was very bright and devoted, and she asked Milarepa many questions. (…) She asked questions about how she herself, being an ordained woman, could combine Dharma practice with her daily life. As she related, “In the daytime I have to work, at night time I sleep, in the morning and evening I need to cook. I am a servant to all these tasks that fill up my life. In spite of this, I still want to practice. How can I do this? Please give me some advice?’
 
In reply, Milarepa sang a song of four analogies and one meaning, five points. First he said, “Look at the mountain. The mountain is unshakable. Like that, train in being like a mountain, always steady and stable.” Then he said, “Look at the sun and moon. Though sometimes covered by clouds and haze, the sun and moon in themselves never change; their brilliance doesn’t increase or decrease, they’re forever the same. Train yourself in being constant, without waxing or waning.” The third analogy he gave was: “Look at the sky. Space is not made out of anything. Its nature is empty, and has neither centre nor edge. Train yourself in being free from centre and edge.” Then he said: “Look at the great lake: Though its surface ripples, the body of water remains unwavering. Train yourself in being unwavering.” Finally he gave the fifth point, the meaning, singing, “Your mind is the most important. Simply settle into yourself and look into your mind. Without being carried away by thoughts about this and that, be totally steady and meditate. That is the heart essence of meditation.”
 
Paldabum connected her next questions with the analogies Milarepa had just given. She said: “I can at times train in being as stable as a mountain. However, on the mountain various plants, shrubs and trees grow. What should I do? I can at times practice in a way which is unchanging like the brilliance of the sun and moon. But occasionally the sun and moon are eclipsed. When that happens, what should I do? I can at times train in being as steady and unchanging as the sky, but sometimes many clouds gather. At that time, what should I do? I can train in being as stable as the ocean, but sometimes great waves appear. At that time, what should I do? In the same way, when I’m simply looking into mind, sometimes many thoughts occur. At that time, what should I do?”
 
Milarepa’s reply continued with these themes. He said: “When you practice in a way that is like a mountain, remember this: shrubs, trees and plants grow naturally on the mountain, sprouting, growing and perishing there. This arising, dwelling and ceasing of growth does not change the mountain in any way whatsoever. It is merely different expressions that don’t affect the stability of the mountain at all.
 
“Sometimes you are able to practice in a way that is unchanging, like the brilliance of the sun and moon. However, remember that the eclipsing of the sun and moon is not real and constant; it’s a momentary event that does not have any concrete substance in itself. It vanishes. It’s only the different expressions of the sun and moon, and does not affect the inherent nature, as they continue to shine naturally.
 
“Sometimes you are able to practice in a way that is unchanging, like the sky. Remember this: when clouds gather, they do not change the sky itself, no matter how dense or dark they are. The many different types of weather are a varied display, but the sky remains beyond change.
 
“Although you can practice like the ocean, remember this: when the surface is in turmoil with waves, there is no wave that exists apart from the ocean. It’s the ocean itself that manifests different expressions. No wave has a separate identity from the ocean.”
 
Milarepa continued: “When different thoughts crowd your mind, remember that no thought has any existence apart from the empty cognisance of the mind nature. It is empty cognisance itself that takes the form of a thought, and is like varying facial expressions or moods, without any separate identity.” This is Milarepa’s instruction in sustaining the nature of mind.” (Pages 187-189.)
 
May virtue increase!

{返回 Thrangu Rinpoche 文集}
{返回网页版}
{返回首页}

上一篇:A Guide To Shamatha Meditation
下一篇:Protecting One’s Mind
 Directly Experience the Nature of M..
 The Invitation from the King of Kat..
 The Story of Nyama Paldarbum
 King of Samadhi Sutra
 Chod – The Introduction & A Few Pra..
 The Third Madhyamaka Analysis:Seeki..
 The Reason We Practice Meditation..
 Protecting One’s Mind
 Buddha Nature and Buddhahood:the Ma..
 A Guide To Shamatha Meditation
全文 标题
 
【佛教文章随机阅读】
 生命的座标[栏目:普献法师]
 通灵澈释病源——读“大藏治病药”讲义有感[栏目:印良法师]
 《八吉祥颂》里的“大菩萨”指的是什么?[栏目:达真堪布·学修问答]
 愚人喝水[栏目:般若]
 法海集四 第二部分:菩提之道 佛法大要[栏目:法海集]
 放生两万多块钱的泥鳅鱼,放的时候死了,给它皈依,那样有没有意义?[栏目:妙祥法师·开示问答]
 穿著代表文化的涵养[栏目:蔡礼旭老师]
 05-046珍惜悲心与慈爱[栏目:海涛法师弘法讲义-2005年]
 关于佛教文化的研究(孙昌武)[栏目:佛教与文化]
 毗卢遮那佛,光明遍照一切处[栏目:海云继梦法师文集·禅法]


{返回首页}

△TOP

- 手机版 -
[无量香光·显密文库·佛教文集]
教育、非赢利、公益性的佛教文化传播
白玛若拙佛教文化传播工作室制作
www.goodweb.net.cn Copyrights reserved
(2003-2015)
站长信箱:yjp990@163.com