摩訶止觀 8.113

8.113

能具十法，必有良驗。一、信，二、用，乃至第十、識遮障。信是道元，佛法初門。如治癩人信血是乳；敬駱駝骨是真舍利。決信此法能治此病，不生狐疑。信而不用，於己無益，如執利劍不用擬賊，翻為彼害。不用亦爾。何意須勤？初、中、後夜，朝暮專精，以得汗為度。鑽火中息，火難可得。不勤亦爾。何謂為恒？恒用治法，念念在緣而不動亂。何謂別病？別病因起，如上所說。若不識病，浪行治法，不相主對，於事無益。何謂方便？善巧用治，吐納得所，運想成就，不失其宜。如琴弦緩急，輾轉軫柱，輕重手指，聲韻方調。何謂為久？若用未益，不計日月，習不休廢。何謂知取捨？益則勤用；損則改治。何謂知將護？善識禁忌，行來飲食，不使觸之。何謂識遮障？用益勿𠹕說；未益勿疑謗。向人說者，未差不差，差已更發，更治不差，設差倍功。若能十法具足，用上諸治，益定無疑。我當為汝保任此事終不虛也。

If one can possess the ten dharmas, there will surely be good efficacy. The first is faith, the second is application, up to the tenth, which is recognizing obstructions. Faith is the source of the Way, the initial gate of the Buddha-dharma. It is like a leper believing that blood is milk, or revering a camel's bone as a genuine relic. Decisively believe that this method can cure this illness, without giving rise to skeptical hesitation. Believing yet not applying brings no benefit to oneself, like holding a sharp sword but not using it against a bandit, being harmed by him instead. Not applying is also like this. What is meant by the need for diligence? In the first, middle, and last watches of the night, and in the morning and evening, be single-minded and concentrated, taking breaking into a sweat as the measure. If one rests while drilling for fire, fire is hard to obtain. Lack of diligence is also like this. What is called constancy? Constantly apply the curative method, moment to moment resting upon the object of meditation without agitation or distraction. What is distinguishing illnesses? Distinguishing the conditioned arising of illnesses is as explained above. If one does not recognize the illness and recklessly applies a curative method that does not correspond to it, it will be of no benefit to the matter. What is meant by expedient means? Use the cures skillfully, inhaling and exhaling properly, bringing the visualization to completion, without losing what is appropriate. Just as with the looseness and tightness of lute strings, turning the pegs and adjusting the bridges, with light and heavy touches of the fingers, the tone and melody only then become harmonious. What is meant by duration? If in using it one has not yet benefited, take no account of months and days, practicing without interruption or abandonment. What is knowing what to adopt and what to discard? If there is benefit, apply it diligently; if there is harm, change the treatment. What is knowing how to care for and protect oneself? Skillfully recognize taboos in walking, resting, drinking, and eating, not allowing them to clash. What is recognizing obstructions? When application brings benefit, do not boast and speak of it; when it has not yet brought benefit, do not doubt and disparage it. If one speaks of it to others, what has not yet healed will not heal, what has healed will break out again, treating it again will not cure it, and even if it is cured it will take double the effort. If one can possess these ten dharmas completely and apply the cures above, benefit will be certain without doubt. I will personally guarantee this matter for you: it will never be in vain.