黃檗山斷際禪師傳心法要 1.18

1.18

A question was asked: "How can one avoid falling into gradual stages?" The Master said: "Eating rice all day long without having bitten into a single grain of rice; walking all day long without having stepped on a piece of ground. At such a time, there are no characteristics of self, other, and the like. Not departing from any activities all day long, yet not being deluded by any sensory realms—only this is called an autonomous person. Furthermore, at all times and in every thought, see no characteristics whatsoever. Do not acknowledge the three periods of before and after: the prior period has no departure, the present period has no dwelling, and the later period has no arrival. Peacefully sitting upright, acting at ease without restraint—only this is called vimukti. Strive! Strive! Within this gate, out of thousands or tens of thousands of people, only three or five attain it. If you do not treat this as a serious matter, the day will come when you suffer calamity. Therefore it is said: 'Exert your efforts to settle it in this life; who can endure the remaining calamity for kalpas upon kalpas?'"