却步復陞門
Retreating Steps, Ascending the Gate
此舉有時不得力。這一字上疑情旋疑旋失。不落昏沈便歸散亂。若用力疑轉不得力。退之又退。此退之一字多者不知。故舉小喻以明斯事。且如世有貧窮之人。聞萬里之外有珍寶所。往而求之。或行一千二千。乃至五千而生退還不復前進。退之不已。驀然自嘆曰。我若退還枉費前工。永受飢寒貧窮困苦。翻思此寶去者人人有分。何故我自棄之。於此奮起堅志又復前進。不憚疲勞不避寒暑。直至寶所得大富饒安樂眷屬。世事皆然。設此進退之喻。皆是主張做工夫不得力處。使其復還得力。誠恐後來學者中道而廢。故以此事重加勉勵。
At times, one's efforts in this practice may falter. Doubt arises around a single word, but it comes and goes—flickering, elusive. If not sinking into dullness, the mind drifts into distraction. When one tries to force the doubt, the effort feels strained and ineffective. Then one retreats, again and again.
Many fail to recognize this tendency to retreat. Let me illustrate with a simple analogy.
Imagine a poor person who hears of a treasure hidden ten thousand miles away. They set out to seek it. They walk one thousand, two thousand, even five thousand miles—but then they turn back and go no further. Retreating again and again, they suddenly sigh to themselves:
"If I turn back now, all my previous effort will have been wasted. I will remain forever trapped in hunger, cold, poverty, and hardship."
Then they reflect: "This treasure is meant for anyone who reaches it. Why should I give up on myself?"
With that, they rouse a firm resolve and press forward once more—undaunted by weariness, undeterred by heat or cold—until at last they reach the treasure. There they gain great wealth, peace, joy, and the support of loved ones.
So it is in all endeavors.
This analogy of advancing and retreating points directly to those moments in practice when our effort loses power—and shows how we can recover our strength. I share this out of concern that later learners might abandon the path halfway. Let this be an added encouragement to persevere.