Q20: Venerable Sir, is it possible to bring about insight knowledge by observing the objects like going or right step, left step, which are known in
common sense to every body?
问20 :尊者,观察所缘如走或者左步、右步,这些在通俗的意义上尽人皆知,由此能引生观智吗?
You know the Ana-pana pratice, the observation of in-and-out breath. The object, “inhalation and exhalation” seems not to be observed, as it’s known by common sense to everyone. But no one dares to criticize like that. In the same way, it makes no sense if you criticize that mindfulness, concentration and insight knowledge cannot be developed by noting “right, left” which is compared with military training. The military training is taken for the purpose of sport or health, while the noting is used to develop mindfulness, concentration and insight knowledge. Ifyoureject thispartof thepractice,thatwill mean you are rejecting the teaching of the Buddha.
你知道修安般念即观照出入息,对其所缘“入息与出息”的观照,似乎并非如通俗意义上尽人皆知的那样,但没人敢像这样批评。同理,如果你批评观照“左步、右步”象军事训练所以不能培育正念、定力和观智,这样就毫无意义。军事训练的目的是为了锻炼或健康,而标记观照是为了培育正念、定力和观智。