Master Ban Ji
Translated by Grace Tsai
Proofread by Sophiea Kuo
Search For Enlightenment with Nan Zen Vihara; An Investigation into Practice of Buddhism
Master Ban Ji
Translated by Grace Tsai
Proofread by Sophiea Kuo
Master Ban Ji
Translated by Grace Tsai
Proofread by Sophiea Kuo
被制約的佛法2 Buddhism being conditioned 2
一位跟隨我很久的修學者,提醒我。看不懂我寫的書,最大的問題來自於──人一直習慣有繩子拉著,現在繩子不見了,不曉得該怎麼辦?
繩子不見了,好像很驚悚!
然而,我終其一生,都在跟繩子挑戰,人不是被繩子綁著走,就是被繩子耍得團團轉。我費盡力氣跟繩子周旋到底! 當然,講的內容都是如何擺脫繩子的方法。
還好,佛學畢竟是拿來修持的,它不是一般學問。佛學走到底就會形成一股支撐自己的力量,那些力量不須要像其他人感嘆沒有知音。
就像從前自己走過的路,佛法「專有名詞」的解釋,也不曾滿足過自己。佛法「專有名詞」是重要的「傳遞作用」,但進入『專有名詞的世界』,才是走入迷宮的開始。
佛法「專有名詞」如同繩子,不先抛開繩子,一定會在迷宮裡面纏得團團轉。但如果個人沒有繩子無法走路,也請緊握繩索。
半寄
A longtime
practitioner who has followed me for years once reminded me:
“The biggest reason people struggle to
understand your books is that they are used to having a rope to hold onto. Now
that the rope is gone, they don’t know what to do.”
Losing
the rope—it sounds terrifying!
However,
my entire life has been a battle against these ropes. People are either bound
by them or endlessly entangled in them. I have spent all my energy wrestling
with these ropes, and naturally, my teachings focus on how to break free from
them.
Fortunately,
Buddhism is meant for practice—it is not just an academic subject. When
practiced to its fullest, Buddhism becomes an inner strength, one that does not
rely on external validation or the search for like-minded companions.
Looking
back on my own path, I was never satisfied with simply understanding Buddhist
terminology. While these terms serve as an important means of transmission,
entering the “world of terminology” is often just the beginning of getting lost
in a maze.
Buddhist
terminology is like a rope. If you don’t first let go of it, you will find
yourself trapped in the maze, endlessly tangled. But if you truly cannot walk
without a rope, then hold onto it tightly.
Master Ban Ji
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。」
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.