觀心論 1.1.4

1.1.4

The merits cultivated by all Buddhas of the past were never spoken of externally; they exclusively addressed the mind. The mind is the source of all virtues and the master of all evils. The Nirvāṇa Sūtra says: 'Permanent bliss arises from one's own mind; transmigration through the three realms and six destinies arises from the mind.' The mind is the gateway to transcendence; the mind is the harbor of liberation. How could one who knows the gateway worry that it is hard to accomplish? Why should one who recognizes the harbor fear that one will not arrive? I observe that nowadays those of shallow understanding consider seeing characteristics as merit alone: they waste wealth and treasures, abundantly pile up food of land and water, falsely construct images and stūpas, vainly labor workmen, stack wood and lay mud, and paint in cinnabar and green. Devoting their minds and exhausting their strength, they delude themselves and others, not yet understanding shame—when have they ever been awakened? Seeing what exists, they zealously cling to it; speaking of formlessness, they are dazed as if lost. Only craving the small mercy before their eyes, they are unaware that in the future they will enter great suffering. Such practice and study only tires themselves in vain; turning their backs on the correct and heading for the heterodox, they falsely claim to obtain merit. If one can only restrain the mind to illuminate inwardly, with observation and contemplation ever bright, cutting off the three poisons so they are destroyed forever and not letting the six thieves invade, then naturally merits as numerous as the sands of the Ganges and various adornments, and countless Dharma gates, will all be accomplished. Transcending the ordinary and realizing the holy will be right before one's eyes, not far off; awakening is in an instant, so why trouble oneself until one's head is white with age? The Dharma gate is subtle and secret; how could it be fully set forth? I have briefly discussed the mind, detailing only a small part.