Go Beyond Words: See for Yourself

　　超越文字──亲身体验

In my own practice, I did not know or study much. I took the straightforward teachings the Buddha gave and simply began to study my own mind according to nature. When you practice, observe yourself. Then gradually knowledge and vision will arise of themselves. If you sit in meditation and want it to be this way or that, you had better stop right there. Do not bring ideals or expectations to your practice. Take your studies, your opinions, and store them away.

　　在我个人的修行里，我所知道的或学习的并不多。我追随了佛陀所给予的直接了当的教导，然後就依著自然开始探究自己的心。当你在修行的时候，审视你自己，然後，智慧和洞察力就会自然地逐渐生起。如果你在打坐时，想要这样或那样的话，你最好在那儿就马上停止!不要对你的修行有所理想或期盼。将你们所学的、你们的主见都丢到一旁去。

You must go beyond all words, all symbols, all plans for your practice. Then you can see for yourself the truth, arising right here. If you do not turn inward, you will never know reality. I took the first few years of formal Dharma text study, and when I had the opportunity, I went to hear various scholars and masters teach, until such study became more of a hindrance than a help. I did not know how, to listen to their sermons because I had not looked within.

　　你必须超越一切的文字、一切的形相和你对修行的所有计划。如此一来，你才能亲身体验到真理就在当下这儿生起。如果你不向内看，你会永远也不认识真理。我在最初的几年中，接受了正规的经教研究，一有机会，就会去听各个不同学者及法师的教授，一直到这种的学习弊多於利。因为我还未向内观照，所以不知道该怎么去听他们的开示。

The great meditation masters spoke about the truth within oneself. Practicing, I began to realize that it existed in my own mind as well. After a long time, I realized that these teachers have really seen the truth and that if we follow their path, we will encounter everything they have spoken about. Then we will be able to say, ''Yes, they were right. What else could there be? Just this." When I practiced diligently, realization unfolded like that.

　　伟大的禅师们谈的是存在於自我内在的真理。藉由修行，我开始觉悟到，原来真理也存在我自己的内心里。一段很长的时间之後，我觉悟到这些禅师曾经也都真正地看到真理，而且，如果我们追随他们的足迹，我们也会体验到他们所说的一切。那么，我们才能够说：“对，他们说的没错，还能有异吗?”当我精进地修行时，觉悟便如此地扩展开来。

If you are interested in Dharma, just give up, just let go. Merely thinking about practice is like pouncing on the shadow and missing the substance. You need not study much. If you follow the basics and practice accordingly, you will see the Dharma for yourself. There must be more than merely hearing the words. Speak just with yourself, observe your own mind. If you cut off this verbal, thinking mind, you will have a true standard for judging. Otherwise, your understanding will not penetrate deeply. Practice in this way and the rest will follow.

　　如果你对“法”有兴趣，那就舍弃、就放下吧!光空想修行就如同痴人捕影，而失其实。你不需要读太多书。如果你依教奉行的话，你便会亲身体验到“法”，除了听闻与文字之外，必定还有其他的。只须跟自己对话，审视你自己的心。如果你斩断这个思考的心，你将会有个真正的判断标准。否则的话，你的领悟将无法深入地彻见。如此地修行，其他的自然会追随而来。