You can also investigate “who?”

参「谁」也可以

Q: Master, you teach us that in investigating, “Who is mindful of the Buddha?” we should keep on investigating the “who?” However, when I am reciting the word “who,” I am not able to give rise to the subsequent thought: “Who is mindful of the Buddha?”

A: If you cannot be mindful of the entire phrase, it is all right to just investigate the word “who?” You can investigate “who?” for as long as you like. When you focus on “who?” no other false thoughts will exist in your mind. When others investigate, “Who is mindful of the Buddha?” they can investigate the word “who?” alone for hours. As long as you keep the thought “who?” going without interruption, it is perfectly fine.

Q: Sometimes, I do not seem to be able to find the door. I don’t know how to get out.

A: Do not panic. Take your time. You will eventually find it.

Q: When cultivating the Way, I sometimes advance but sometimes I retreat. Till now I feel very unstable and confused.

A: If you had been stable all the time, you would have become a Buddha already.

问：师父教我们参「念佛是谁」要一直去参「谁」字，可是我在念「谁」，第二个「念佛是谁」的话头就提不起来了。

答：你要是提不起来，单单就参一个「谁」也可以，这个「谁」参多久的时间都可以。你有「谁」在这儿，什么妄念都没有了。人家参「念佛是谁」就这一个「谁?」可以参几个钟头，你要能接接连连不断的参都可以的。

问：有时候我好像找不到门，不知道怎么出去？

答：不要着急，慢慢找，慢慢就会找到了。

问：修道有时候进步，有时候退步，到现在还是不稳定、很迷糊。

答：你要是都稳定，那不早就成佛了嘛！