Cultivators of the Way Must Not Tell Lies
Don't want to admit mistakes, so we rationalize for ourselves.
How can a person who behaves like this cultivate the Way? |
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Here in the Chan
Hall, we must be orderly and well-mannered; we cannot put on airs or try
to stand out. We cannot do as we please and defy the regulations of the
Hall. Realize that the Chan Hall is a place where sages are created; thus
we may not disturb the Way-place and deprive others of their chance at
enlightenment. Those of you who are taking part in the Chan Session should
pay attention to this point. You must hold the precepts strictly and not
be lax. It's most difficult
to get to join in a Chan Session; under no circumstances should we let
this chance slip by. All of you have this chance to investigate Chan together
only because you planted down good roots many lives ago. Given the opportunity
to join in a Chan Session, a hardworking cultivator of the Way will certainly
seize the time and won't waste an instant. He'd never let a fleeting moment
of pleasure lull him into laziness; if he did, he'd lose his chance to
become enlightened and would fall into the Three Evil Destinies. That
would certainly bring him regrets, but to no avail. That's why I say:
Don't wait till
the pain sets in before you So we should work
hard and be vigorous in every moment. In the Chan Hall, hang your meditation
topic squarely before your mind's eye, and investigate it both when walking
and when sitting. Investigate it back and forth until you penetrate right
through it. Then you will see your original identity. Why? Because the
meditation topic cuts through all idle thoughts. Keep investigating until
"you are unaware of the heavens above, the earth below, and the people
in between." At that point, how could you have time for idle thoughts?
We should realize that idle thinking is simply false speech. We have failed
to observe the five basic precepts: we tell lies when we contend; we tell
lies when we are greedy; we tell lies as we seek gratification; we tell
lies as we are selfish; we tell lies as we chase personal advantages.
Telling lies deceives people; we don't want to admit mistakes, so we rationalize
for ourselves. How can a person who behaves like this cultivate the Way?
Why would someone
who works hard fail to make progress? It comes from having told too many
lies in the past. Once you utter a single lie, it stirs up a hundred idle
thoughts. Then when you meditate, you won't be able to sit still, nor
will you be able to stand firmly. You'll be restless and at a loss: "Should
I advance? Should I retreat?" You'll be in a muddle, totally out
of harmony with the Dharma. Genuine cultivators
adhere to the rules in everything they do. They are constantly diligent
and would absolutely not tell lies, nor would they ever exploit situations.
I hope that you all will not imitate liars and unruly characters. Not
only will you fail to benefit from such people, on the contrary, you'll
suffer their harm. Be careful, take heed! Once you catch the infection,
the results are disastrous. Real cultivators
fear neither suffering nor hardship. They cultivate earnestly at all times
and don't allow external situations to disturb their minds. Investigate! Investigate! Investigate until the waters recede and the rocks appear (the truth is brought to light). Then you will see your original appearance. |
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