How Do We Study Hard?
請問師父：修學佛法，如何用功， 應如何下手？
答云；學佛原不可只憑理解，而不重實修。然雖不能離開功行，卻也不可著於功行。下手修時，最初勿猛，中途勿怠，在後勿疑。若有所得，切勿自視而生驕慢。
修持貴在老實，一門深入，不疾不徐、百折不撓，自可精深嚴密。及至大事已明、會入不二，宜注重涵養、去其燥急，待功夫純熟，明光顯發、處處圓潤。
學佛易，承當難，承當易，老實難，老實易、養道難。惟不傲己所長，常覺己所短，日日進於道，必無退轉。
承當與自大不同，老實與執法不同，養道與守法不同。譬如寶器，第一取材，以品質精純為主。第二雕琢、以手工精製為貴。第三打磨光潤。第四入土、以去火氣為寶。如不經多年蘊藏，寶光不能顯發也，學佛亦然。
若心中有法見，驕慢生於不覺，此何異於仰天登山，不顧腳下，到處是生死坑，豈不危哉！此娑婆盡屬生死，如能根本透澈，則須內證，自然與法相契。
資料來源：心靈甘露(四)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。
How Do We Study Hard?
Q: In the cultivation and study of Buddhism, how do we work hard, and how do we start?
A: We shouldn’t just depend on understanding and ignore real practice in the cultivation of Buddhism. Practicing shouldn’t be ignored, but it shouldn’t be adhered, either. After we have started cultivation, we shouldn’t put very much effort in the beginning, shouldn’t idle in the middle, and shouldn’t doubt in the end. If we have achieved something, we shouldn’t be arrogant.
What’s important in the cultivation is being realistic. If we can take our time to practice deep into an approach and are undaunted by repeated setbacks, we will naturally go into the strict and profound levels. When things have become clear and we have entered the non-duality, we should put emphasis on self-possession and refrain from hurrying. When we become skillful, the bright radiance will manifest and we’ll be consummate in every aspect.
Studying Buddhism is easy, but to shoulder responsibilities is hard. Shouldering responsibilities is easy, but to be realistic is hard. Being realistic is easy, but to cultivate the Path is hard. We should not be arrogant about what we are good at, but should often be aware of our shortcomings. If we can make progress in cultivating the Path day after day, we will not regress.
Shouldering responsibilities is not the same as arrogance. Being realistic is not the same as adherence to principles. Cultivating the Path is not the same as abiding by laws. The first step to making treasures is to choose materials, which should be pure and refined. The second one is to sculpt delicately by hand. The third is to polish. The fourth is to put them into the earth and rid them of the internal heat. Without being held in store for many years, the radiance of the treasures will not manifest. The same is true of the cultivation of Buddhism.
If one bears dharma views in mind, and gives rise to arrogance without noticing it, this is like ascending the mountain and looking up to the sky without paying attention to what’s going on under his feet. Each step he takes may be very dangerous. This Saha world is filled with life and death. If one can penetrate this and internally confirm, he will naturally be congenial to the Dharma.
Source: Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. IV), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.