被制約的佛法1 Buddhism being conditioned1

                                                                                                                                 被制約的佛法1 Buddhism being conditioned1

                                                                                    讀書會上，有讀者拿出我寫的《修行的探討》，質疑我所寫的內容，都沒有佛法裡面有關戒、定、慧的說明。                                                                                                                                                                                                 自從，面對問我佛法的修學者以來，碰到的最大問題就是，質疑我為什麼沒有說佛法?

                                                                                                                                            剛聽到這樣的質疑時，我自己也一頭霧水!「我一直都是在說佛法啊!」                                                   後來，弄清楚要說佛法的意思，是指把特定的佛學名詞掛在嘴邊。也就是我要常說:「佛說，戒、定、慧.......。                                                                                                                                                                                                      又或者說這件事是業障、這件事是功德無量無邊!」          

  我始終不能明白!佛教徒在害怕什麼?為什 麼一定要聽到佛的專有名詞才能心安?                    本書的名稱，明明白白寫著，《修行的探討》，名叫探討就是分析佛學的思想，思想對了!路才走得下去。但我不懂為什麼探討佛法一定不能脫離「專有名詞」的運用?如果，「專有名詞」得背著，應該是佛教徒只拿經典到處背誦就好，何必要別人說所謂的佛法，而且還要是有智慧的?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         我常被佛教徒弄糊塗!一方面要求我，來問我佛法，希望能得到智慧。但是，又要求我，妳得照本宣科，不能說沒有專有名詞的內容。                                                                                                                     例如:「解釋佛法的戒律一詞，不能用「自我管理」的說法，「自我管理」無法聽懂。一定得說戒律是五戒，問佛法的人才會聽得懂，也才會認為我有說佛法。」

                                                                                                                                                             到底!是誰在害怕?害怕對佛法產生思維、害怕沒聽到誦經的聲音?我清楚寫著:「修行的探討。」沒說我要解釋:「戒、定、慧。」

半寄

 

                                                                                                                                              At a study club meeting, a reader brought up my book, Exploring Buddhist Practice, questioning why it did not specifically discuss precepts, concentration, and wisdom.                                                         Ever since I started engaging with Buddhist practitioners, the biggest challenge I’ve faced is the question: “Why don’t you talk about Buddhism?” When I first heard this, I was confused—I have always been talking about Buddhism!                                                                                                                                                Later, I realized that “talking about Buddhism” to some people means constantly using specific Buddhist terminology. In other words, I am expected to repeatedly say things like, “The Buddha said precepts, concentration, and wisdom…” or declare that something is the result of karma, while something else brings boundless merit.I still don’t understand—why are Buddhists so afraid? Why do they only feel reassured when they hear Buddhist jargon?

The title of my book clearly states Exploring Buddhist Practice. To explore means to analyze Buddhist thought—because only with the right understanding can one move forward on the path. But why must discussing Buddhism be confined to the use of specific terminology? If carrying these terms is a requirement, then perhaps Buddhists should simply recite scriptures instead of seeking wisdom from others.         

        I am often puzzled by Buddhists. On one hand, they ask me about Buddhism, hoping to gain wisdom. But on the other hand, they insist that I follow traditional phrasing, refusing to accept explanations that do not include specific terminology.

For example, if I explain Buddhist precepts as “self-discipline,” they say they don’t understand—because “self-discipline” is not the correct term. They insist that I must say “the Five Precepts” for it to be considered a proper Buddhist teaching.

So, who is truly afraid here? Afraid to think critically about Buddhism? Afraid of not hearing the familiar sound of scripture being recited?

I have clearly stated: Exploring Buddhist Practice. I never claimed I was here to explain precepts, concentration, and wisdom.

 Master Ban Ji