摩訶止觀 4.187

4.187

○第五、行五法者，所謂欲、精進、念、巧慧、一心。前喻陶師，眾事悉整，而不肯作、作不殷勤、不存作法、作不巧便、作不專一，則事無成。今亦如是，上二十法雖備，若無樂欲希慕、身心苦策、念想、方便、一心決志者，止觀無由現前。若能欣習無厭、曉夜匪懈、念念相續、善得其意、一心無異，此人能進前路。一心譬船柁，巧慧如點頭，三種如篙櫓，若少一事則不安隱。又如飛鳥，以眼視，以尾制，以翅前。無此五法，事禪尚難，何況理定？當知五法通為小大、事理而作方便也。

Fifth, practicing the five dharmas: namely desire, vigor, mindfulness, skillful wisdom, and single-mindedness. As in the earlier simile of the potter: if all preparations are ready, but he is unwilling to work, works without diligence, does not maintain the method of working, works without skill, or works without single-minded focus, then nothing will be accomplished. Now it is also like this: although the twenty dharmas above are fully provided, if one lacks eager aspiration and yearning, strenuous exertion of body and mind, mindfulness, expedient means, and a resolute single mind, calming and contemplation will have no way to become manifest. If one can take delight in practice without weariness, be untiring day and night, maintain uninterrupted continuity thought after thought, skillfully grasp its meaning, and be single-minded without straying, this person will be able to advance along the path ahead. Single-mindedness is like the rudder of a boat; skillful wisdom is like looking ahead; the other three are like the poles and oars—if even one thing is missing, there will be no safety. Again, it is like a flying bird: looking with its eyes, steering with its tail, and moving forward with its wings. Without these five dharmas, even phenomenal dhyāna is difficult, let alone noumenal concentration! One should know that these five dharmas serve universally as expedients for both the small and the great, the phenomenal and the noumenal.