觀心論疏 1.19

1.19

偈云：「諸來求法者，多聽得言語，不知問觀心，未得真法樂。」此一偈明聽者存名執相而不虛懷，不知尋理之失。何者？經云：「生生不可說，乃至不生不生皆不可說。」諸法寂滅相，不可以言宣，而今方便宣者，理外之辭也，亦如醫方是愈病之外緣。而今學者存名執相、恃解陵他、增長我慢，不修念處內觀照，顯言外之理除煩惱病，是則何益於學者？如尋方而不服藥，何利於病者也？若病必須服藥而愈，學者必須內觀而得道也。

The verse states: 'All who come seeking the Dharma, / Mostly listening to obtain mere words, / If they do not know to inquire into contemplating the mind, / Have not yet obtained true Dharma joy.' This single verse explains the fault of listeners who retain names and grasp at characteristics without an open mind, not knowing how to seek the principle. How so? A sūtra states: 'Arising-arising is inexpressible, up to non-arising non-arising is inexpressible.' The quiescent mark of all phenomena cannot be expressed in words; that they are now proclaimed expediently consists of phrases outside the principle, just as a medical prescription is an external condition for curing an illness. Now students retain names and grasp at characteristics, rely on their understanding to look down on others, and increase their arrogance, failing to cultivate the inner contemplation of the smṛtyupasthānas to reveal the principle beyond words and eliminate the illness of defilements—what benefit does this have for the student? Just as looking at a prescription without taking the medicine, what profit does it bring to the sick person? If illness must be cured by taking medicine, a student must contemplate internally to attain the Way.