依静

In Solitude

于此末法时代，如果自己相续尚未成熟，就应依于寂地修持。龙钦巴在《窍诀宝藏论》中云：“自己尚未获得自在前，令他自在矛盾又可笑；尚无成办自利能力时，想成他利矛盾又可笑；自尚不具弟子之法相，想作上师矛盾又可笑；自如干燥皮革不调柔，想调他心矛盾又可笑；自忙今生无有证悟见，教他修法矛盾又可笑；自尚未断庸俗之行为，令他如法矛盾又可笑。”

At this time of spiritual degeneration, practitioners who have not mastered their own minds should retreat to a tranquil place to concentrate on their practices. Longchen Rabjam says in The Precious Treasury of Pith Instructions:

It is a laughable contradiction to want to teach others to gain freedom if you have not yet achieved freedom yourself.
It is a laughable contradiction to want to benefit others if you have not been able to bring Dharma benefit to yourself.
It is a laughable contradiction to want to be a teacher if you do not have the qualifications of a student yourself.
It is a laughable contradiction to want to tame others’ minds if your own mind is untamed like a piece of stiff leather.
It is a laughable contradiction to want to bring others to the dharma if you busy yourself with this life and are devoid of realization.
It is a laughable contradiction to want to teach others to behave if you have not yet renounced your own mundane behavior.

在修行的初期，若自不量力地想摄受弟子，最终不但一事无成，只会落到被人耻笑的结局。

Accepting students when one has barely embarked on the spiritual path is an irresponsible act. In the end, nothing is accomplished but for the disgrace incurred upon oneself.

吉衮巴在《善法明灯论》中也说：“任何修行人都应像野兽一样，不依止其他地方而应到寂静地，这样利益众生的事自然能成办。到城市讲经、赐窍诀是不合理的。佛法兴盛时，不缺少佛法。在五浊恶世，虽然缺少佛法，但众生刚强难调，不思维意义，只耽着词句。初学者想以讲法调服众生不如隐身匿迹。你与他们交谈，他们却嗤之以鼻；你往回返，他们则亦步亦趋；你躲藏起来，他们又四下找寻。你需要供养时，他们不予理睬；你不需要时，他们却强行给予。有邪见的众生很难调服，因此应依于寂地，像野兽一样。这样，也能持如来教法，成为具信人之商主。即使是野蛮人，在看见住山之人时，也会生起信心。为了自他二利，应恒常依于寂地。”

Gyegompa says in The Lamp Directing to Virtue: “Every spiritual seeker should live like a wild animal in going nowhere but a remote and tranquil site to practice; in this way the activities of benefiting beings will ripen spontaneously. It is not advisable to go to cities to teach the Dharma or confer pith instructions. When Buddhism is flourishing, there are abundant Dharma teachings. When the time is degenerating and the Dharma is scarce, beings are recalcitrant; they care for words alone and exert no effort in meditation. Therefore for a beginner, it is better to find a hideaway to practice rather than try to tame other beings’ minds. When you feel like talking to them, they sneer; when you want to withdraw, they follow on your heels; when you try to hide, they search for you everywhere. When you are in need, they ignore you; when you are getting by, they force offerings upon you. There is no way to tame someone with perverted views; therefore, go to a place of solitude, like a beast. Only by doing so can you train yourself in the Tathagata’s teachings and become a guide of people with faith. Even a barbarian will arouse confidence when he sees a person meditating in the mountain cave. Therefore, to benefit oneself and others, always stay in a solitary place. ”

四时有节，百花有序，度化众生也要讲究时序。这也是佛陀与前辈大德反复苦口婆心教导我们的，不要把这些忠言当成耳边风了！

The four seasons come in their time and flowers bloom in good order. In the same way, to benefit beings with the Dharma also has its timetable. Such is the advice imparted to us earnestly by the Buddhas and great sages. Do not sweep it aside!

壬午年七月初七　　
2002年8月15日

7th of July, Year of RenWu
August 15, 2002