师教

Teacher’s Advice

佛教徒常常以“依法不依人”来否定别人的见解，但在上师的问题上却应另当别论。

While trying to refute another’s viewpoint, some Buddhists often put forth the quote: “Do not rely upon the person, but upon the Dharma.” But when the issue is that of spiritual teachers, there is an exception to the rule.

学习世间的学问，尚需要对师长的恭敬仰慕之情。修行想得成就，则完全仰仗对上师的恭敬心。记得阿难曾说过：弟子的成就绝大部分依靠上师。世尊纠正道：弟子的成就完全依靠上师。显宗尚有此言，更何况密法？

In acquiring worldly education, students are expected to have respect and trust toward their teachers. In spiritual practice, moreover, accomplishment is totally dependent upon students’ faith and devotion toward their masters. Ananda once said: “A disciple’s attainment is mostly dependent on his spiritual teacher.” The Buddha was quick to correct him: “A disciple’s accomplishment is entirely dependent on his spiritual teacher.” If such a principle applies to the Sutrayana, what needs to be said of the secret Mantrayana?

八世噶mb不动金刚曾说过：即使上师令你去杀父亲，你也应遵照执行。红帽法王也说过：上师将帽子说成是鞋子，或者将鞋子说成是帽子，你也应当谨听遵命。这是对修习密法的人的基本要求。所谓根器差别，全在弟子的信心，上等根器也就是上等信心；中等根器也就是中等信心；下等根器也就是下等信心，这是一条颠扑不破的真理。如果能从心底里视师为佛，那他与成就也仅一步之遥。

The Eighth Gyalwa Karmapa Mikyö Dorje says: “Even if your guru orders you to kill your father, you should follow his instruction to the letter.” Shamarpa, Holder of the Red Crown, also teaches: “Even if your guru calls a hat a shoe, or a shoe a hat, you should still take his word.” This kind of attitude is the basic prerequisite for anyone who seeks the secret Mantrayana. What sets disciples apart is nothing but the strength of their devotion. High acumen means immense devotion; mediocre ability equates to moderate devotion. Inferior capability comes from little devotion. This is an incontrovertible truism. If a person regards his teacher as a real Buddha from the bottom of his heart, then accomplishment for this person is merely one step away.

当帝洛巴强迫那若巴从楼上跳下时；当玛尔巴命令米拉日巴背石造房时，正是因为对上师坚定不移的无伪信心，才使那若巴和米拉日巴毫不犹豫地谨遵师教，瞬间圆满了无数资粮，造就了两代空前绝后的宗师，也为我们后人留下了在尊师重教方面弥足珍贵的行为榜样。

Milarepa and Naropa followed instructions from their gurus without the slightest hesitation: Naropa jumped from high towers when forced by Tilopa, and Milarepa hauled boulders to build houses when ordered by Marpa. They did so out of unshakable devotion to their gurus and as a result were able to accumulate innumerable merit in an instant, and went on to become the two unsurpassable masters in history. They have left us the best examples of how to follow a spiritual teacher.

不论你是修学哪一个宗派，如果违背师教，自救尚不可能，又怎么能言及其他呢？

In any lineage practice, whenever a breach is made against the teacher, not even self-liberation is possible. If this is the case, how can any other achievement be bragged about?

壬午年五月二十九日　
2002年7月9日　

29th of May, Year of RenWu
July 9, 2002