2025年12月18日 星期四

北傳佛教唯心論 2-3 Mind-Only Doctrine in Northern Buddhism 2-3

 北傳佛教唯心論 2

 

禪宗有「芥子納須彌」的說法,

 

慢慢想起來,年輕的時候也在這裡打轉過,老實說,精神跟肉體想要說得清楚就很困難,

加上佛法的修行跟心、意識的觀點,這個問題就像亂線一般,難上加難。

 

試論;大腦這麼小可以裝得下這麼多資訊,那是透過學習的結果,

如果沒有學習與吸收大部分的人,腦袋是空空的,


用現今的觀點來看電腦的整個發展,也是一段漫長的路,不可能說空間裡面已經先存在一個電腦,等你塞下記憶吧?

 

人腦可以發展到像佛陀堂弟阿難這麼厲害,可以背誦這麼多資料,

佛法的邏輯指出應該是阿難自己修福慧的結果,

成就他的腦力特別發達,


而不能說他的腦力本來就比別人發達,

 

那到底是「心」在因、緣、果之前?

 

還是因、緣、果與心同在,難分難解!

半寄

 

AI資料提供

 

1. 質疑的焦點:物質與精神的邊界

當學人(質疑者)提出「大腦(或肉身)包含萬物」時,其實是落入了唯物或五蘊的範疇。

 質疑者的邏輯: 如果你說「心生則種種法生」,而心就在我這顆腦袋裡,那是不是我這顆腦袋就裝下了整個宇宙?如果是,這不符合物理常識;如果不是,那禪師就是在騙人。

 禪師的回應(核心思維): 禪師通常會用「反詰法」或「直接否定」來打破這種空間感的錯覺。

 

2. 公案中的比喻:芥子納須彌

禪宗處理這類質疑最著名的觀點是「芥子納須彌」

 

質疑者問:「大腦這麼小,萬法這麼大,小如何包得住大?」

禪師通常會回答:「你讀過萬卷書嗎?」

質疑者:「讀過。」

禪師:「那萬卷書現在在哪裡?」

質疑者:「在腦子裡。」

禪師:「腦子只有拳頭大,萬卷書疊起來比屋頂高,你是怎麼塞進去的?」

 

透過這個比喻,禪師想點出:「心」沒有空間的量度。 你認為大腦包含萬法是有「空間感」的障礙,但真正的「自性」是不受大小、方圓、內外限制的。

 

3. 「為心」的雙重含義

在禪宗公案裡,這類討論往往會區分兩種層次的「心」:

1. 肉團心(大腦/意識): 這是物質的、有生滅的、有大小限制的(即您提到的「大腦」)。

2. 靈覺真心: 這是遍布虛空、包含宇宙的。

如果像質疑者那樣把「萬法」侷限在「物理的大腦」裡,禪師會斥之為「認賊為子」。因為你把一個生理器官當成了本來面目。

 

4. 禪宗對此的經典結論

在《指月錄》中,針對這類「包含」的辯論,最終往往會導向:

「心不在內,不在外,不在中間。」

這打破了我們對「大腦」作為容器的執著。如果心在大腦裡,那大腦壞了,法界難道就消失了嗎?禪師認為,是「萬法在大腦(根塵)中顯現」,而非大腦「物理性地裝著」萬法。

 

您的感觸與現代對比

現代神經科學認為意識是大腦產生的;而禪宗公案則認為大腦(色身)是心性中所幻化出的「一粒浮漚」(大海中的一顆小氣泡)。」


Mind-Only Doctrine in Northern Buddhism 2

Zen tradition speaks of “holding Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed.”

 

Looking back, I realize that I struggled with this issue even in my youth. Frankly speaking, clearly explaining the relationship between mind and body is already extremely difficult. OnceBuddhist practice and theories of consciousness are added, the issue becomes even more complex—like a ball of tangled wires.

The brain is physically small, yet it can store an astonishing amount of information. This capacity is clearly the outcome of learning. Without learning and absorption, most people’s minds would remain nearly empty. Even from a modern technological standpoint, the evolution of computers has been a long process. We would not say that a computer already exists in empty space, simply waiting for memory to be loaded.

 

The human brain can be cultivated to the level of Ānanda, the Buddha’s cousin, who could memorize vast amounts of the Dharma. Buddhist reasoning would attribute this not to innate superiority, but to Ānanda’s own cultivation of merit and wisdom, which enabled such remarkable mental development.

 

This leads to a deeper question:

Is the “mind” prior to causes, conditions, and results?

Or do causes, conditions, results, and mind arise together, inseparably intertwined?

 

Master Banji

 

AI Data

1. The Central Question: Matter Versus Mind

When a questioner claims that the brain contains all phenomena, the discussion has already shifted into materialism or the framework of the five aggregates.

• The questioner’s reasoning:
If “all phenomena arise when the mind arises,” and the mind is located in the brain, does that mean the brain contains the universe?
If yes, this violates physical logic.
If no, then Zen teachings are deceptive.
• Zen’s method:
Zen masters dismantle this assumption by reversing the question or negating the premise itself, exposing the mistaken sense of spatial containment.

 

2. Koan Illustration: A Mustard Seed and Mount Sumeru

Zen’s most well-known response is the metaphor “A mustard seed contains Mount Sumeru.”

When challenged—
“How can something so small contain something so vast?”

The master counters by pointing to memory and learning, showing that meaning and awareness are not governed by physical volume.

This reveals that mind is not measurable in spatial terms, while self-nature transcends size, boundaries, and location.

 

3. Two Levels of “Mind”

Zen discourse distinguishes between:

1. The corporeal mind: the brain-bound, conditioned consciousness.
2. The awakened mind: boundless, non-local, and all-pervasive.

Confusing the first for the second is denounced as “recognizing a thief as one’s own child.”

 

4. Zen’s Final Position

Classical Zen texts repeatedly conclude:

“The mind is neither within, nor without, nor in between.”

Thus, phenomena are manifested through the brain, not contained by it.
The Dharma realm does not arise or vanish with the condition of neural tissue.

 

5. Dialogue with Modern Science

While neuroscience claims consciousness emerges from the brain, Zen holds that the brain itself is a conditioned appearance within mind-nature—
a fleeting bubble upon the vast ocean of awareness.

 

 

北傳佛教唯心論

 

如果有一位大禪師堅持跟我說:

他認為「心性本淨」,他已經見到他的「本來面目」,

我個人不會認為這是錯的,因為他們修證的三摩地裡面,可以變現出他們要看的內容來。

而這是用強大的禪定力量兑現學說,

 

「心」當然是「不在內,不在外,不在中間。」

而這需要給予完整的說明,去處理有為與無為法,不致於使「心」懸掛在

「不在內,不在外,不在中間。」之外!



 

假如;你是位用功的修行者你在修行的禪定中照見了本來面目,那是不是回頭看看初果的「破身見」,

 

(斷身見使用破字,源於中觀論思想,破字賦予身見更多的解讀空間)

 

或許用禪定的力量,再去破除身見的認知,個人相信此時修行才朝著佛陀的教學前進,

能入定的各種教派太多了,如果肯定自己要修持的是佛法,那就只能抓著佛法,

 

能夠達到「破身見」的目的地時,

有為法與無為法的脈絡自然會條理清楚,

 

複雜與講解不清,而浪費生命的精神與肉體(形而上學)也會迎刃而解,

踏在對的佛法教學上,修證不那麼困難,但不修證也可以得到智慧吧!

 

半寄

 

(昨晚有一個夢境:一個力大無窮的人,不斷在砍樹給我看,砍的樹面積遼闊,卻都是沒有用的樹,

這力大無窮就白白浪費在這些沒有用的事情上,

而那個人卻興致高昂的要展現他的奇蹟。)

 

 


Mind-Only Doctrine in Northern Buddhism 3

 

If a great Zen master tells me with certainty that “mind-nature is originally pure,” and that he has already seen his “original face,” I personally would not say he is wrong. This is because, in the samādhi reached through deep practice, such masters can bring forth and observe whatever they wish to examine. In this way, teachings are proven through the strong meditative power.

 

Indeed, the mind is “neither inside, nor outside, nor in between.”

But this idea needs a full explanation. It must clearly address both conditioned and unconditioned phenomena, so that the mind is not left suspended beyond that statement “neither inside, nor outside, nor in between.” 

 

"Suppose you are a dedicated practitioner who, in the depths of meditative absorption, has glimpsed your Original Nature. From this vantage point, you look back at the 'seeing thru self-view'—the first stage of awakening (Sotapanna). 

 

(The use of the word 'seeing thru to describe 'cutting offself-identity view' originates from Madhyamaka thought. The term “seeing thru” gives more room to understand self-view.

 

Using the power of Samadhi, you may be able to further loosen and remove the belief in a fixed self. I believe this is when practice truly follows the Buddha’s teaching. 

 

There are many ways to reach deep meditation, but if you want to follow Buddhism, you must stick to the Buddhist Dharma. Upon achieving the ' seeing thru self-view,' the difference between things that change and the eternal truth becomes easy to see.

 

All the confusing theories that waste our time and energy disappear. 

By following the right path, reaching enlightenment isn't that hard—and even if you haven't reached it yet, you can still gain great wisdom."

 

Master Banji

 

(I had a dream last night. A very strong man kept chopping down trees for me to watch. The forest was huge, 

but the trees were useless. He wasted all his strength on things without value,

 yet he was very excited, eager to display his so-called miracle.)

 


2025年12月14日 星期日

必也一說A Necessary Statement

 必也一說

 

台灣的讀者抱怨我說,沒有把一些好的經歷端出來,任憑人家攻擊我!

 

本來我寫的佛法就是台灣佛教徒——被制式化的佛學教育制衡,是不能懂的,早就不期待。

 

再來,既然不懂我的文章內容有什麼珍貴處,那攻擊對我又有什麼🤔

再加上我也上了年齡,世事看多了!

那一些也早就不在我眼裡,

 

況且那些國外學者對台灣講說的佛法批評,根本就是恥辱,如果不是發覺他們有持續在看南禪的網站,有什麼好說的!

 

如果我所理解的佛法能夠寫出來,雪恥,這才是真正要做的事,

前面說過我在1991年就已經衝破了第一關,

等我把佛法跟修行的功力都具足以後,何懼,世人不能知道我?

 

年輕的時候,從錄音帶裡聽到一個說法,對廣欽老和尚的比諭是,猴子也是吃香蕉的,因為廣老是吃水果的,然後錄音檔裡面掌聲滿滿,

在佛教的大活動裡面,親眼看過廣老的徒弟要被揪出來打的,

這裡面只有一個說明,

有修行的貼標籤成魔,

打人的貼標籤成佛,

 

貼標籤成為臺灣佛教必備的標準,令人不寒而慄,

這在我年輕的時候早就絕望,不敢想自己走到什麼世界了?

 

剩下的只是我對佛法的情感而已,佛法不隸屬於誰吧!

 

我後來看了歐洲宗教史,把這些東、西方宗教的濫權放一邊,走上自己研讀與努力進入佛法內容的路,

幸好,我沒有時間憤世嫉俗,

而年輕就已經摸著邊的佛法,也一直支撐著我大步的往前,

 

我依然願意為佛法貢獻,只此。

 

 

我個人本著研讀的佛法資料是什麼就說什麼,那裡面有被證實的事實,

不再是研究的歸研究,講又是另外一回事。

 

前面提到,很多資料的研究也得來不易,要不是時代的進步,根本不可能,

在南禪讀書會常常提到我對自己的佛法成績,認為是拜時代所賜,

沒有那麼好的資料,我再用功也是事倍功半。

 

這幾年在南禪部落格,培養出來的讀者有多少我個人清楚,

既然佛陀的大弟子舍利弗聽到所誦偈,就可以證入佛法果位,那麼佛法的證入永遠是給有準備的善知識。

 

我不打擾別人的信仰,只能說:

佛教徒信仰的是佛教,

我信仰的是佛法,

各有所歸!

 

半寄

 

A Necessary Statement

 

Taiwanese readers complain that I haven't presented some of my valuable experiences, allowing others to attack me without defense.

 

Frankly, I never expected my Dharma writings to be accessible to Taiwanese Buddhists, whose intellectual approach is already rigid and circumscribed by conventional Buddhist education.

 

Moreover, if they cannot recognize what is valuable in my writings, then what difference do their attacks make to me? 🤔

In addition, I am no longer young and have seen much of the world.

Such matters have long ceased to matter to me.

 

As for the criticisms of Taiwanese Buddhism made by certain overseas scholars, they are nothing short of humiliating. If I had not noticed that they continue to read the Nanzen website, there would be nothing further to say.

 

 

If my understanding of the Dharma can be written down and thereby wash away this disgrace, then that is the task that truly matters.

As mentioned earlier, I had already broken through the first barrier in 1991.

Once my understanding of the Dharma and my cultivation are fully mature, why should I fear that the world does not recognize me?

 

In my youth, I once heard a cassette recording that mocked Venerable Master Guangqin with the analogy, “Even monkeys eat bananas,” simply because the Master lived on fruit. The tape was met with loud applause.
At large Buddhist gatherings, I personally witnessed disciples of Master Guangqin being singled out and beaten.

This reveals only one thing:
those who truly cultivate are branded as demons,
while those who strike others are branded as Buddhas.

 

Putting labels on people has become a basic rule in Taiwanese Buddhism, and it is frightening.
I lost hope in this already when I was young, and I dared not imagine what kind of world I had entered.

 

What remains is only my deep commitment to the Dharma itself. The Dharma doesn't belong to anyone!

 

Later, after studying European religious history, I set aside the abuses of power found in both Eastern and Western religions and chose my own path—studying the Dharma and striving to enter its true meaning.

Fortunately, I had no time to become cynical or resentful.

The Dharma, which I began to grasp when I was young, has consistently sustained my great strides forward.

 

I remain willing to contribute to the Dharma—nothing more.

 

I speak only according to what I have studied in Buddhist sources, stating things as they truly are.
Within them are facts that have been verified.

Research no longer remains separate from what is preached.

 

As mentioned earlier, much of this research material was extremely difficult to obtain. Without the progress of our era, it would have been impossible.

In the Nanzen study club, I often acknowledge that my achievements in Dharma are a gift of the era.

Without such excellent resources, even my diligent efforts would yield only half the result.

 

Over these past years, I know very well how many readers have been cultivated through the Nanzen blog.

Since the Buddha’s great disciple Śāriputra attained realization simply upon hearing a verse, the realization of the Dharma has always been reserved for prepared and capable good friends.

 

I do not interfere with others’ beliefs. I can only state:

Buddhists believe in Buddhism(the institutional religion).

I believe in the Dharma (the ultimate truth).

We each have our own path.

Master Banji

 

 

 

2025年12月12日 星期五

與國外友人的緣份Connections with Scholar Friends from Abroad


 

與國外友人的緣份

 

把與國外友人(學者)這一段時間拼湊起來,就知道我自己為什麼一直想退休,實在是搞得太累了!

 

現在回頭看這一段,覺得值得了!

 

佛法的翻譯不容易,而我講述的佛法又是她們不容易找到的詞彙,所以翻譯這一區塊也搞得人仰馬翻,

這兩年A I出來,情況獲得改善,感謝🙏

南禪精舍的大德們一起的努力。

 

這些國外友人(學者)各自回國以後,

我一直致力於,想把自己已經有領略過的佛法境界跟理論結合寫出來,

但這佛法也不是這麼好端出來的,

需要有人去把我這一塊已經塞太多的內容,慢慢解讀出來,

那讀書會就是首選,但讀書會裡面對佛法有研究興趣的比不大,

 

一度我內心會產生焦慮,因為我很清楚哪地方還沒有完成整合,寫文章也構成了一大助力,

總算到今年2025年完成了這些區域,

這一切感謝佛法的加被。

半寄


 

Connections with Scholar Friends from Abroad 

When I look back and put together everything that happened with these foreign scholars,
I understand why I kept wanting to retire—I was simply too tired.

But now I feel it was all worth it.

Translating Buddhist teachings is demanding, and the concepts I explain often involve expressions difficult to find elsewhere.

This made translation a significant challenge.

With the rise of AI over the past two years, the situation has improved considerably.

I am grateful to the devoted laymen of Nanzen Vihara for their collective effort. 

After these scholars returned to their respective countries,

I devoted myself to integrating the Buddhist realizations I have personally attained with theoretical understanding,and express them in writing.

But such teachings are not easy to present.

Someone needs to take the abundance of content I have already internalized and patiently decode it, step by step.

Study Clubare ideal for this, but a small number of participants there are deeply interested in Buddhist studies.

At one point, I felt anxious, because I was keenly aware of which areas had not yet been fully integrated.

Writing articles offered significant help. 
Finally, by 2025, those areas were finished.
All of this is due to the blessings of the Dharma.

Master Banji