觀心論 1.3

1.3

答曰：如所問言，佛經無量、論亦甚多，是事共知，但弘法之人為利物故，多施加水之乳，致令聽受之者失真道味，四眾轉就澆離，致使信心之者漸歇薄談。將恐深廣大法不久停留，眾生眼滅，失正法利。是以閑生悲傷，煩究難忍，不惟凡淺、寡聞少見，欲助鸚鵡奮其翅力，輒承三寶力，欲作斯論也。問者欲知作論者，大意有二：一者自責為諸學徒；二者外諸四眾脫能信受亦可傳之。略以偈答曰：

Answer: As you have asked, the Buddhist scriptures are immeasurable and the treatises are also very numerous—this is universally known. However, because those who propagate the Dharma wish to benefit beings, they mostly offer milk diluted with water, causing those who hear and receive it to lose the taste of the true path. The fourfold assembly turns increasingly shallow and fragmented, causing those with faith to gradually cease and speak faintly of it. One fears that the profound and vast great Dharma will not long remain, the eyes of sentient beings will be extinguished, and they will lose the benefit of the true Dharma. Therefore, in seclusion, sorrow arises; tormented and distressed, it is difficult to bear. Without considering myself ordinary, shallow, of little learning, and narrow experience, wishing to assist like the parrot exerting the power of its wings, I presume upon the power of the Three Jewels, desiring to compose this treatise. If the questioner wishes to know the author's intent, there are broadly two aspects: first, to reproach myself on behalf of my disciples; second, if the external fourfold assembly can perhaps believe and receive it, it may also be transmitted to them. In brief, I answer in verse: