参禅的秘诀

The Secret to Success in Chan Meditation

在自己的自性上用功夫，不是向外驰求。

You should apply effort within your own nature and not seek outside.

禅译为「静虑」，又为「思惟修」。思惟就是参；静虑就是「时时勤拂拭，勿使惹尘埃」。思惟修就是教你提起话头，念兹在兹，时刻不忘的意思。所谓「朝于斯，夕于斯」，在自己的自性上用功夫，不是向外驰求。凡是外来的境界，若是跟着它跑，便很容易走错路。从自性生出的境界，才是真境界。这一点，希望各位要弄清楚，否则便上魔王的当，结果成了他的眷属。

Chan translates as "stilling the thought." It also means "thought cultivation." "Thought" refers to investigating the meditation topic. "Stilling the thought" means, "At all times, wipe it clean, and let no dust alight." "Thought cultivation" is done by means of raising the meditation topic in thought after thought and never forgetting it. As it is said, "We do it in the morning, and we also do it in the evening." You should apply effort within your own nature and not seek outside. If you follow after any external state, it is easy to go astray. Only states that arise from your own nature are true states. I hope all of you will note this point clearly. Otherwise, you will be tricked by the demon king and end up as one of his followers.

静虑这个法门，要绵绵密密地用功，不要间断。在用功的时候，要好像母鸡在孵蛋那样地专心，又好像龙在养珠那样地谨慎，又好像猫在捕鼠那样地忍耐。参禅要有坚、诚、恒的心，不可有骄傲的心。不要以为我比谁都高，比谁都强。如果有这种思想，那就是狂魔入体，功夫不会进步。

This Dharma-door of "stilling the thought" requires that you apply continuous, unrelenting effort, without any interruption. In your meditation, you should as concentrated as a mother hen sitting on her eggs. You should also be as careful as a dragon guarding its pearl. Furthermore, you must be as patient as a cat waiting outside a mousehole. Chan meditation requires determination, sincerity, and perseverance. You cannot be arrogant and assume that you're higher and better than everyone else. If you have thoughts like these, that means a demon of insanity has possessed you, and your skill will never advance.

参禅的时候，不可打妄想。打妄想就没有真实的受用，浪费大好的时光。参禅要有忍耐心、长远心。参禅的秘诀，就是忍，忍不住也要忍；忍到极点，就豁然贯通，明朗开悟。若没有忍耐心，不能吃得苦，不能耐得劳，遇到境界，便投降了，这种行为最要不得，是参禅的大忌。

When you cultivate Chan, you should not indulge in idle thoughts. When you have idle thoughts, you don't gain any benefit, and you waste a tremendous amount of time. Sitting in Chan requires patience and perseverance. The secret of success in Chan meditation is patience; whatever you cannot endure, you must still endure. If you can endure to the ultimate point, then suddenly you can penetrate through and experience the clarity of enlightenment. If you lack patience and cannot endure bitterness and fatigue, then you will surrender to the states that you encounter. To give in like that is a great mistake; it is the great taboo in Chan meditation!