止觀輔行傳弘決 5.5

5.5

"Obstacles and difficulties of myriad paths" and so forth: this reproves both oneself and others. As in the mutual manifestation of the ten objects below, since they do not comprehend them, they judge themselves and judge others, and all is lost. "The blind and the lame" and so forth: lack of understanding is like being blind; lack of practice is like being lame. Since the teacher is like this, the disciples can be known, and so both fall. This borrows from the *Śata-śāstra*, where an outsider, upon being refuted, saves himself by saying: "If the soul has no contact, the body could not arrive. Body and soul rely on each other and thus can arrive somewhere, just as the blind and the lame relying on each other can reach far away." Now, one person possesses both [defects], so they cannot advance a single step. Next, "blind and stumbling" re-explains the previous metaphor. Having no eyes is called "blind" (gu); having lame feet is called "stumbling" (jue). Being both blind and lame, and wandering by night besides! Lacking understanding and lacking practice, they lose the sun of the Buddha's teaching and roam the night of ignorance. From "should not" below, it concludes in summary that they are not suitable vessels. One should not speak of marvelous understanding and practice to such persons who lack practice and understanding. "Noble": those as mentioned before who have faith, practice, and understanding are those who ennoble this text. "Base": those like the aforementioned who lack faith, understanding, and practice will surely belittle this teaching.