Cultivate the Soul—XV
迷則人隨於法，悟者法隨於人，精進用功千日，悟在一時……。學習佛法之人，用功怕妄想，久坐的人怕昏沉。越是想靜，越是妄想、念念相續。舉心、動念、動轉、施為，一切念、一切處，都是一個妄想。根機利一點的人，用功起來，不假修證，當體本真。
無欠無餘、清淨光明，不從他得、皆自本有。惟在我們不能如法，行妄想隨業轉，即是生死。
想了生死的人，忙用功。不知道有生死的人、忙辛苦。
當知：毫釐繫念，三塗業因。
一天到晚，有太多妄念雜思。當知：一毫之念，如不驚覺，醒自心、歇妄念，而果感則有千差萬別。
大眾！世間上百工技藝，都要學得三年、五載以後，方纔有可混得一個飯盅。何況，我們這個出世間無上妙法，那有這麼容易呢？
是日已過、命亦隨減，十世恆古今。但念無常、當勤精進。
共勉 感恩
資料來源：心靈甘露(三)，隆門圓通法師著。英文翻譯：張惠平。
Cultivate the Soul—XV
When one is deluded, he follows the principles. When one is enlightened, the principles follow him. One may spend a thousand days cultivating diligently, but it takes just a little while for him to get enlightened. Buddhism learners should avoid giving rise to false thoughts, and those who keep sitting for a long time should avoid getting dizzy. The more one wants to calm down, the more wishful thinking he will have which will arise one after another. All the arising thinking is the false thought and actions also result from false thoughts. After those with higher capabilities cultivate hard, they will experience the intrinsic truth without confirmation.
If we have no deficiency and surplus, if we are tranquil and bright, and if we do not gain anything from others, then we can say that all these come from the innate existence of our own. But if we don’t obey the principles but give rise to wishful thinking and shift according to the karma, then we are facing life and death.
Those who want to sever life and death are busy cultivating, while those who do not know the existence life and death are busy toiling.
We should know that a slight thought can be the karmic cause of the Three Paths. People may have too many miscellaneous thoughts for the whole day. Be aware that if a slight thought is not noticed and if wishful thinking is not ceased, there will be totally different causes and conditions.
It takes three to five years for one to master a skill and earn a living, let alone the transcendental, supreme, and wondrous dharma that may even be more difficult to master.
This day has passed, and the lifespan has accordingly reduced. This is an eternal truth. Beware of the impermanent and be diligent. Let’s encourage each other with article. Thank you!
Source: Sweet Dew for the Soul (Vol. III), Written by Master Shih Longmen Yuantong. Translated by Huei Ping Chang.