五力 The Five Spiritual Powers

 

五力

 

大家好！

讀書會中有人提到年齡大了理解力比較好，為什麼也不容易入佛法領域？

 

我說：因為少了力量，也就是佛法中的「五力」，沒有力量沒辦法成就任何事物，修行想領悟佛法而心裡沒有力量也是不可能的。

 

後代修行者對《阿含經》簡單的表達「力量」說法，大都輕輕的略過，

我個人理解自我的脆弱點，ㄧ直把心裏想培養成的力量透過藉事引理的在鍛練，日積月纍有了走路的本錢。

半寄

 

The Five Spiritual Powers

 

Greetings, friends of NanZen!

 

During our study club discussion, someone mentioned that while our ability to understand things may improve with age, why is it still difficult to truly enter the path of the Buddha’s teachings?

 

I responded: it’s because we lack inner strength — specifically, the “Five Spiritual Powers” (pañca balāni）in Buddhism. Without strength, it’s impossible to accomplish anything. The same applies to spiritual practice: if the mind lacks strength, genuine understanding of the Dharma is not possible. 

 

Many later practitioners tend to gloss over the simple but profound concept of “inner strength” as mentioned in the Āgama Sutras. 

 

Personally, I’m aware of my own vulnerabilities, so I’ve been consciously working to cultivate these inner strengths — using real-life situations as opportunities to reflect and train my mind. Over time, with consistent effort, I’ve gradually built the foundation I need to keep moving forward on the path.

 

Banji