菩提達磨大師略辨大乘入道四行觀
Great Master Bodhidharma's Brief Discourse on the Four Practices for Entering the Great Vehicle Path
No. 1217-A
No. 1217-A
弟子 曇琳 序
Disciple Tanlin's Preface
法師者西域南天竺國人。是婆羅門國王第三之子也。神慧疎朗。聞皆曉悟。志存摩訶衍道。故捨素隨緇。紹隆聖種冥心虗寂。通鑒世事內外俱明。德超世表。悲悔邊隅正教陵替。遂能遠涉山海遊化漢魏。亡心之士莫不歸信。存見之流乃生譏謗。于時唯有道育惠可此二沙門。年雖後生俊志高遠。幸逢法師事之數載。虔恭𧫎啟善蒙師意。法師感其精誠誨以真道。令如是安心。如是發行。如是順物。如是方便。此是大乘安心之法。令無錯謬。如是安心者壁觀。如是發行者四行。如是順物者防護譏嫌。如是方便者遣其不著。此略序所由云爾。
The Master was a native of the Southern Heavenly Bamboo Kingdom in the Western Regions. He was the third son of a Brahmin king. Endowed with divine wisdom and keen insight, he comprehended everything he heard. Aspiring to the Great Vehicle path, he renounced his secular life to don the black robes, continuing the sacred lineage with a mind immersed in emptiness and stillness. He thoroughly understood worldly affairs, being clear-sighted both inwardly and outwardly. His virtue surpassed worldly standards. Grieved by the decline of the true teaching in the borderlands, he journeyed far across mountains and seas to propagate the Dharma in the Han and Wei regions. Those without worldly attachments all came to believe, while those clinging to views gave rise to slander and criticism.
At that time, only two monks, Daoyu and Huike, though young in years, possessed lofty aspirations and profound resolve. Fortunately encountering the Master, they served him for several years, reverently and sincerely seeking guidance, and were well-received by the Master. Moved by their earnest devotion, the Master taught them the true path, instructing them thus: "In this way, pacify the mind. In this way, cultivate practice. In this way, accord with circumstances. In this way, employ skillful means." This is the Great Vehicle method for pacifying the mind, ensuring no error or deviation.
"Pacifying the mind in this way" means wall-gazing contemplation. "Cultivating practice in this way" means the four practices. "Accord with circumstances in this way" means guarding against criticism and suspicion. "Employ skillful means in this way" means relinquishing all attachments. This briefly outlines the origins and principles.