法苑珠林 99.9

99.9

第二依義不依語者。語是言說。正是張筌。義為達理。化物之道。證解已後慮絕杜言。法尚應捨何況非法。故經有捨筏之喻。人懷目擊之談。不以言筌意表。得意息言。月喻妙指。無宜不曉。今謂得義。乃是誦言。真行道者。常觀常破。常觀依語。常破隨義。謂言隨義。還是誦言。但無始妄習執見鏗然。靜退詳研方知此過。不爾奔飛追聲不及。又可思惟。

Second: 'Rely on the meaning and not on the words.' Words are verbal speech, which is precisely setting up the fish trap; meaning is arriving at principle, the way of transforming beings. After direct realisation and comprehension, thoughts are cut off and speech is halted. If even the Dharma should be relinquished, how much more so what is not the Dharma? Therefore, the sūtra contains the parable of abandoning the raft, and people cherish discussions where [the truth] is seen at a glance. Do not fail to grasp the meaning beyond the snare of words; having grasped the meaning, cease speech. When the finger pointing to the moon is understood, there is nothing that should not be comprehended. What is now called 'grasping the meaning' is merely reciting words. True practitioners of the Way constantly contemplate and constantly deconstruct: constantly contemplating relies on words, and constantly deconstructing accords with the meaning. Saying that words accord with the meaning is still merely reciting words. It is only because of beginningless false habits that stubborn attachments are firmly set. Only through quiet withdrawal and detailed investigation does one come to recognise this fault. Otherwise, rushing about and pursuing sounds will fall short. This too should be contemplated.