Q19: Venerable Sir, are there only two objects to note, “rising and falling”?

问19：尊者，只有两个观照的所缘吗，“起与伏”？

Yes, one is instructed to note initially only two objects, “rising and falling.” He is, however, instructed to note thoughts also if they occur to him, and then to go back to the main object. Similarly with pain. He should go back to the main object when the pain fades away, or after a moderate amount of time even if the pain persists. The same is true with bending or stretching his limbs, or changing his posture. He should note each and every activity or behavior involved in it, and then go back to the main object. If one sees or hears something predominant, one must note it as it is; i.e., “seeing,” “hearing” and so on. After noting them three or four times, one must go back to the main object with full energy.

是的，我们教导开始只观照两个所缘，“起与伏”。然而我们也教导禅修者在妄念生起的时候观照妄念，随后回到主要所缘。疼痛也是一样，当疼痛消失或者过了一段适中的时间疼痛仍然持续，他应当回到主要所缘。这同样适用于屈伸肢体或变换姿势，他应该观照这些过程中的每一个动作，然后回到主要所缘。如果看见或听见的所缘占了支配地位，他必须如实观照，“看见”、“听见”，等等。在观照它们三、四次后，他必须以全部精进力回到主要所缘。