觀心論疏 1.43

1.43

偈云「若觀一念心」下一行，明若能觀一念心能答此問，當知心眼則開，得入清涼池也。偈云「不能答此問」下一行，明迷惑者不能答問也。「哀哉末法中」下一行，傷嘆，明末法無行道人。設有三數，寧別是問，故傷嘆也。偈云「故生悲愍心」下一行，明恐畏後生或有能解者，故起悲心，作此《觀心論》，令觀者開朗也。「願諸見聞者」下一行，明誡勸，令莫疑謗。何者？而《法華》略說中，恐生疑謗故，三止不說，止其毀謗，非但不能得解，復增其重罪。後廣說中，雖嚴誡勸，五千之流猶從座起，不信佛言。今將欲開於論端，畏物疑謗故，預先誡勸也。

The one line following the verse 'If one contemplates the mind in a single thought-moment' explains that if one can contemplate the mind in a single thought-moment and answer this question, one should know that the mind's eye will open and one will enter the cool pool. The one line following the verse 'If one cannot answer this question' explains that those who are deluded cannot answer the question. The one line following 'Alas, in the Final Dharma age' is a lamentation, explaining that in the Final Dharma age there are no people who practice the Way. Even if there are a mere few, how could they discern these questions? Hence he laments. The one line following the verse 'Therefore giving rise to a mind of pity' explains that fearing whether among later generations there might be someone capable of understanding, he gives rise to a mind of compassion to compose this Treatise on Contemplating the Mind, so that those who contemplate will become open and bright. The one line following 'May all who see and hear this' explains an admonition and exhortation, causing them not to harbor doubt or slander. Why is this? In the brief exposition of the Lotus Sūtra, fearing that doubt and slander would arise, the Buddha stopped three times and did not preach, to halt their slander; for not only would they fail to attain understanding, they would also increase their grave transgressions. In the later extensive exposition, although he strictly admonished and exhorted, the group of five thousand still rose from their seats, not having faith in the Buddha's words. Now, being about to open the beginning of the treatise, out of fear that people will doubt and slander, he gives admonitions and exhortations in advance.