宗鏡錄 15.5

15.5

答。若純取事相神通。有違真趣。如輔行記云。修三昧者。忽發神通。須急棄之。有漏之法。虛妄故也。故止觀云。能障般若。何者。種智般若。自具諸法。能泯諸相。未具已來。但安於理。何須事通。若專於通。是則障理。又不唯障理。反受其殃。如欝頭勝意之徒。即斯類矣。夫言真實神變者。無非演一乘門。談無生理。一言契道。當生死而證涅槃。目擊明宗。即塵勞而成正覺。剎那而革凡為聖。須臾而變有歸空。如此作用。豈非神變耶。所以寶積經云。文殊師利白佛言。世尊。夫說法者。為大神變。若是下劣根機。之者。諸佛大慈不令孤棄。一期方便。黃葉止啼。如維摩經云。以神通惠化愚癡眾生。若上上根人。只令觀身實相。觀佛亦然。

Answer: If one purely seizes upon the supernormal powers of phenomenal signs, it contradicts the true purport. As the Fuxing ji says: 'If one who cultivates samādhi suddenly develops supernormal powers, one must quickly cast them aside, because they are contaminated phenomena and false.' Therefore the Zhiguan says: 'They can obstruct prajñā.' Why is this? The prajñā of sarvākārajñatā naturally possesses all phenomena and can eliminate all signs. Before one possesses it, one should merely settle in principle; why is there any need for phenomenal supernormal powers? If one focuses exclusively on supernormal powers, this obstructs principle. Furthermore, not only does it obstruct principle, but one also brings misfortune upon oneself, as in the cases of the followers of Udra[karāmaputra] and Shengyi. What is called genuine supernormal transformation is nothing other than expounding the gateway of the One Vehicle and speaking of the principle of non-production. With a single word one accords with the Way, realizing nirvāṇa right within birth and death; upon a glance one illumines the source, achieving correct enlightenment right within worldly defilements. In a single kṣaṇa one transforms from an ordinary person into a sage; in an instant one alters existence to return to emptiness. How could such functioning not be a supernormal transformation? Therefore the Ratnakūṭa Sūtra says: 'Mañjuśrī said to the Buddha: "World-Honoured One, preaching the Dharma is the great supernormal transformation."' For those of low and inferior capacities, the great compassion of the buddhas does not abandon them: as a temporary skillful means, yellow leaves are used to stop crying. As the Vimalakīrtinirdeśasūtra says: 'By means of the supernormal powers, they graciously transform foolish and deluded sentient beings.' For people of the highest capacities, they are only made to contemplate the true mark of the body, and contemplating the Buddha is also like this.