西方合論 9.16

9.16

九、淨侶者，一切悟機非友不發，一切惡法非友不止；如車二輪，去一則蹶。是故世間文字諸戲論法，尚須同心印正，何況志求無上大道。《因緣經》曰：「譬如風性雖空，由旃檀林薝蔔林，吹香而來，風有妙香；若經糞穢臭屍而來，其風便臭。不如淨衣置之香篋，出衣衣香；若置臭處，衣亦隨臭。」友亦如是。是以行道，求友者，當嚴別淨穢。一、山林間適之友當近，能止躁心故。二、巖持戒律之友當近，能淡諸慾故。三、智慧廣大之友當近，能出迷津故。四、總持文字之友當近，能決疑難故。五、寂寞枯槁之友當近，能恬進取故。六、謙卑忍辱之友當近，能銷我慢故。七、直心忠告之友當近，能抑諸過故。八、勇猛精進之友當近，能速道果故。九、輕財好施之友當近，能破大慳故。十、仁慈覆物，不惜身命之友當近，能摧人我等執故。若無如是淨侶，即當屏人獨處，自辦道業。以像設為師，以經論為侶，其他嬉戲之徒，寧絕勿通。如人園中雖無佳花，不植臭草，以無益賞心，徒增厭穢故。

Ninth, pure companions: All triggers of awakening are not set off without friends, and all evil dharmas are not stopped without friends; like the two wheels of a carriage, if one is gone, it collapses. Therefore, even worldly literature and various playful discourses still require like-minded friends for verification and correction, how much more so for one aspiring to the unsurpassed great Way? The *Sūtra of Causes and Conditions* says: "For example, although the nature of the wind is empty, when it blows past a grove of sandalwood or campaka trees, the wind carries a wondrous fragrance; if it passes through excrement and stinking corpses, the wind becomes foul. It is not like pure clothes placed in an incense box: when taken out, the clothes are fragrant; if placed in a foul place, the clothes likewise become foul." Friends are also like this. For this reason, when practicing the Way and seeking friends, one must strictly distinguish the pure from the defiled. First, leisurely companions of the mountains and forests should be approached, as they can calm an agitated mind. Second, companions who strictly uphold the precepts should be approached, as they can dilute desires. Third, companions of vast wisdom should be approached, as they can guide one out of the ford of delusion. Fourth, companions proficient in dhāraṇī and literature should be approached, as they can resolve doubts and difficulties. Fifth, companions who are solitary and austere should be approached, as they can pacify worldly ambition. Sixth, companions who are humble and patient should be approached, as they can dissolve self-pride. Seventh, companions who give straightforward and honest counsel should be approached, as they can suppress errors. Eighth, companions of vigorous diligence should be approached, as they can speed the fruits of the Way. Ninth, companions who treat wealth lightly and delight in giving should be approached, as they can destroy great stinginess. Tenth, companions who are benevolent and cover all beings, not sparing body and life, should be approached, as they can demolish attachments to self and others. If one lacks such pure companions, one should shut oneself away from others and dwell alone, personally carrying out one's work on the Way. Take images and icons as your master, take sūtras and treatises as your companions, and as for other frivolous associates, rather cut off communication than maintain it. Just as when a person has no fine flowers in his garden, he does not plant stinking weeds, because it provides no benefit to the delight of the heart and merely adds revulsion and filth.