龙门心法
Dragon Gate: Law of the Heart
CHAPTER #5
戒行精严
ASCETICISM
修行之士，既已割爱抛缘，以求出世。假如爱欲重生，幻缘不灭，则此心依旧牵缠缚，复入网罗，须于未兆之前，预作提防之计。不然则从前之功徒废，未来之魔业难逃，可不虑哉！
Those who cultivate have already parted with their possessions and discarded their attachments in order to transcend the world. If their love for desire is reborn, their imagination cannot be extinguished, and their hearts, as before, entangle and bind them. Again they are caught in the net. One must act before they receive omens and be guarded before calculations are made. Otherwise, the student’s achievements will be lost and in the future their demons will be difficult to escape. Consider that!
大众，自古大圣贤，莫不以戒摄心。这个戒字，是降魔之杵，能镇压妖邪；是护命之符，能增延福寿；是升天之梯，能朝礼三清，而超凡入圣；是引路之灯，能消除六欲，而破暗除昏；是仙舟宝筏，能渡众生离苦海；是慈航津梁，能济众生出爱河。有通行人之保障，为进道之提纲。仙佛无门，皆从戒入；圣贤有路，皆自戒行。实系圣贤之要路通衢，仙佛之中门正户。
Everyone, in ancient times of the Great Sages there was none who didn’t use precepts to temper their hearts. The word “precept” means a weapon against demons; it can suppress evil influences and is a talisman which protects life. It extends and guards life; it is the ladder to heaven. It brings one to ceremoniously face the Three Purities, to transcend the mundane and achieve the sacred. It is the light which illuminates the path. It destroys the six desires and eradicates confusion. It is the precious boat of immortality which delivers living beings and lifts them from the sea of bitterness. It is what guides the ship of compassion, and it frees all life from the river of love. It is the safeguard of those who make passage and the outline to those who seek to enter the Way. Immortality has no door; all people enter by discipline. The path of Sages is their asceticism. Truth is the great road of Sages and the central gate of Immortals.
大众，既以前世所种因缘，今生得闻戒法也，是莫大之幸。若不以戒律行持，精严勤苦，则将莫大之幸，变为莫大之罪矣。戒律就是玄都禁约，乃三清上圣所定科条，女青天曹所管，纠察神兵卫护，天将稽巡。遵守者，丹册加功。犯悖者，黑册加过。丝毫不漏，针发不差。如今受戒之人，总是无知之辈。如何唤作无知？若是知得此理，便当精严不犯。若是违犯，还是是无知了。
Everyone; in a world of transgression which lead to grave consequences, to receive the laws of discipline in this lifetime is one’s greatest rejoicing. If one doesn’t strictly adhere to discipline through perseverance, than this greatest rejoicing is transformed to greatest sin. Precepts are the prohibitions which guide one towards the profound, thus the most sacred Three Pure Ones established their divisions; the Clear Skies Woman is for management, the Order God’s soldiers are for protection and the Heavenly Order is for examination. Following these rules, one’s merits are added to the Alchemical book. To act against them is to compound mistakes in the book of darkness. When upholding vows the smallest part cannot be missing; one can’t be short a needle or a hair. Nowadays, initiates who have taken vows are among a generation of ignorance. How can this ignorance be rectified? By achieving understanding of this ideal, it is easy to persevere diligently without error. By violating this one remains in ignorance.
所以说大众中，若是已戒者，须要把这戒字，着实去参详一番。如何唤作戒？戒的是甚么？你又为何当初就受戒？你若是为戒法来的，便当日日行持。若不日日行持，何必受戒？这个念头，便不是为戒而来，还是为沽虚名，图衣钵而来矣。如何见得？
So I say to everyone, if someone already has taken precepts, it is necessary to take and consider the word “precept” in order to understand its details. How have they come to be called precepts? What is a precept? Why does one observe them? If one disciplines themselves by the laws set forth in precepts daily cultivation is easy. If one is not cultivating daily, why follow precepts? This ideology doesn’t come from the principles of monastic disciplines; it comes when people seek reputation and plan for a legacy. How does one go about seeing that?
况释门中比丘，自募三衣，皈依善知识，哀求戒法以作菩提，何等尊重其事。我道门中，只因七真阐教之后，教相衰微。戒律威仪，四百年不显于世。皆因教门中未曾有人担当其任，所以把这照路的天灯，不曾剔明，使修行人昏暗难行，扶身的拄杖抛开，使向上者失其把柄。怪不得旁门邪教，反通行于天下，清静解脱，光明正大之道，反寂莫不闻。今幸道运当兴，遭逢盛世。上有皇王之福庇，天下太平；又有官宰善信，教中护法。又有檀越布施，衣钵巾规，现成制就，这便是千生难遇，稀有之事。
Moreover; the monk who enters the order, enlists themselves in the three virtues, takes refuge in knowing Virtue and uses the precepts to seek enlightenment has very esteemed affairs. For us Daoists it was only after the Seven Perfected Ones passed on their knowledge that the teaching devolved. These precepts are magnificent, and for four hundred years they were kept from the world. Because the clergy never took responsibility the heavenly light was held and did not illuminate and dimness and difficulty was caused to people who cultivated. The cane which the hand holds to support the body was cast aside; ascendance was lost as the grip was lost on this handle. It is no secret that heresy and corruption move against the great works in the world, while peace, purity, deliverance, brilliant light and the straight Way move against solitude and ignorance. These days we can rejoice in the exciting movement of the Way which flourishes in this age. Above us is the Emperor King’s prosperous protection, the world under heaven is at peace, there is a ruling government with faith in virtue and within religion the laws are protected. Once again there are those who give to the monkhood; legacies are provided for, so much is readily available and this is a rare circumstance, something that is hard to find once in a thousand years.
你们既是仗着前因，受了戒法，就该把个戒字儿仔细追求。如何唤作戒？可怜这受戒之人，贤愚不等。愚者当初来受戒的念头还好，及至受了戒，反把初心瞒昧，不能守戒。
Seeing you students who have been influenced by others who took vows, you ought to hold those vows yourselves and pursue them diligently. How does one uphold vows? Pity those who uphold precepts, they are separated between the wise and the foolish. If a fool initially takes vows they present with a good intention, but if when that vow is taken their original aspiration is reverted to darkness by ignorance, they will not be able to maintain their vow.
岂不可惜了，这个受戒的初心。把一件戒衣，付之东洋大海，或当或卖，或改常服，亵渎天神，或补作衲头，败毁道友。把个净钵，改作香炉，贮钱贮米，开斋破戒，饮酒吃荤，无所不至，把智慧消灭，仙根断绝了也。这有现在公案，历历可数。
The intention to uphold take vows is blameless. When monk’s robes are lost, whether appropriated, sold or changed for common clothes, it offends the heavenly spirits, when one replaces their patchwork robes they lose and destroying their Daoist friends. When a begging bowl is used as an incense urn or for storing coins or rice and one breaks their vows and resumes drinking and eating meat without any limit, their wisdom will be extinguished and their immortal root severed. This is a real circumstance with numerable cases.
且如一个戒子，把戒行毁了，戒衣卖了，戒经污了，戒钵弃了，忽然死去，见许多鬼卒，将锁索套去。到了地狱中，见了一所衙门，甚是威严，两边若干鬼卒，锁着许多的人，皆是平日同志的破戒道友。
Such was one monk, who destroyed the conduct of his vows, sold his robes, polluted the scripture and abandoned his alms bowl. Following his death he encountered an army of demons which surrounded and enveloped him. Having arrived at last in the underworld, he beheld an imposing office with innumerable ghosts on both sides clutching on to as many humans. All these others were his comrades and friends who had also abandoned their vows.
这戒子吃了一惊，问：“你们如何到这里？”那些戒子说：“不知道为何，先先后后的，都在此相会。” 只见门上有个匾额，写着“考对司”三个大字，遂问鬼卒道：“如何唤作考对司？”鬼卒说：“这是天曹新立的法司，有两座，专管僧道戒律之事。凡有一人在阳间发心受戒者，土地灶神，就把名字上了册。
The frightened monk asked “How did you get to this place?” The others replied “We don’t know how we got here; sooner or later everyone ends up here.” Above the door there was a placard reading “Investigative Corrections Department.” After reading these words he asked one of the demon soldiers “What is this Investigative Corrections Department?” The demon soldier replied “This is a new law office created by heaven. There are two parts which govern the affairs of monks and precepts. When there is a person in the living realm who decides to take vows, the Kitchen God writes his name down in the register.
某日发心，某日受戒，某日行持有功，某日行持有过，某日某人犯戒，某人背师悖道，某人毁律败教，某人卖衣，某人卖钵，某人谤诽律师，某人打算施主，某人奸贪，某人淫污，细细注说，每月申报各司，都要先从本司过，方到各衙门去。你们受戒者，除德行高明，道心精妙，不到阴司外，如你们这班不守戒的人，毕竟先到本司，考察除名，方才定限内勾取身死。若不从司中过去，各衙门不签押拿人。”
He records on which day monks make their decisions, on which days vows are taken, the days of their meritorious achievements, the days on which transgressions are made and also who breaks their vows and on which days, who disobeys their teacher or the Way, who breaks laws and loses the teaching, who flaunts their robes, who flaunts their alms bowl, who speaks slanderously of their teachers, who plans on renouncing their vows, who are evil and covetous, and who are wanton and impure. All this is recorded in great detail and every month it is reported to a higher department. Everyone has to start from this department who wishes to reach Yamen. You all who have taken vows, and rid yourselves of immoral behavior for higher understanding, with a pure and profound heart, won’t end up in hell, but if you bunch don’t maintain your precepts, you’ll end up in this department, the inspection department where names are struck off the list. You’ve ended up here shortly after your body died. If you aren’t able to pass through this department, there is no Yamen that will sign for you.”
众戒子，你们责人之过，偏生明白细微，到了自己有过，全然不知。就做了无边大罪，自己还要遮蔽，叫做欺心。受了戒的人，全要把自己心上所行，日里所说，日夜存思，善即行，恶即止，不许自己曲全，不许自己饶恕，不许自己欺瞒，不许自己遮蔽。有善不以有功，有过实时忏悔。依戒经细细参求，访明师勤勤学问。
You all have a responsibility to take many precepts and studiously learn them in detail, until you arrive at a point where you no longer know anything. When great sins are made endlessly, and one seeks to cover it up, this is known as a deceitful heart. All those who take vows must use their own hearts to cultivate, use days for speaking and nights for reflection, continuing in what is virtuous and terminating that which is evil, not allowing oneself to become completely crooked, not allowing oneself any forgiveness, not allowing oneself any deception and not allowing oneself to hide. Doing merit one doesn’t seek to achieve anything and one repents the moment a transgression is made. Relying on the precepts one pours through the scriptures in great detail and inquires of illuminated teachers with rapt attention.
敬师如父母，敬友如兄弟，乐法如妻，爱经如宝。持戒在心，如持物在手。手中之物，一放即失，心中之戒，一放即破。世间王法律例，犯则招刑；天上道法，女青之律，犯则受报。莫道阴司冥而不见，生生死死，只在尔心；莫道戒神幽而不显，出出入入，只在尔念。
Respect teachers like parents, respect friends like siblings, appreciate the method like a spouse and love scriptures like treasure. Maintain precepts in the heart, just as you would hold onto an object with your hand. As an object in the hand is dropped, so is the scripture broken in the heart.. In this world the law of King’s is the rule; when broken there is punishment. In Heaven there is the law of the way, the rule of the Everlasting Female; when broken there is retribution. Without the way in Hell, one cannot see in the darkness. One lives and dies, all within one’s heart; without the Way the spirit of the precepts is distant and invisible, it comes and goes in accordance with one’s intention.
戒行精严四字，降心顺道唤作戒，忍耐行持唤作行，一丝不离唤作精，一毫不犯唤作严，始终不变唤作持戒，穷困不移唤作守戒。你们这受过戒的，其中连戒的十条，还不记得甚么十条事呢。有名无实，何必乃尔！
Consider the four words Ascetic, Action, Purity and Discipline. Following the way is known as being Ascetic. Patience and restraint are known as Action. Undivided attention is known as Purity. Never disobeying is one’s code, is known as Discipline. Remaining unchanged from the beginning to the end is called upholding the precepts, being destitute but resolute is known as keeping the precepts. There are those among you who’ve taken precepts and adopted the ten principles, but don’t remember even what the ten principles are about. You follow precepts in name only, but not in truth.
但有一句方便法言，须教大众放心行持。这个天上主宰，原以好生为心，慈悲广大，救度众生。若是犯了的戒子，从此改悔，真心发现，复守科条，精严不犯二次者，自然天心慈悯，赦宥还元。我今有一段犯了戒又守戒的因果，说与大众。近日一戒子，自云受戒后，忽遭魔难，开斋破戒，无所不为。一日夜间，梦到阴司，看审官司。只见阴司中，许多鬼判，都点挂纱灯，安排香案。少刻，只见阎王出大门，威仪如世间天子一般。只听得判官报，天使已到了，快摆香案接诏，就如世间官府接诏一般。
There is a convenient story which teaches everyone to persevere. The Rulers of Heaven prime intention is to bring about positive life though great compassion and deliverance of all living beings. Though precepts have been broken, if one changes and repents, develops a true heart, repeatedly keeps the precepts and is careful not to violate them a second time than naturally the heavens are compassionate and understanding. One is pardoned and they achieve their original state. I have a bit to tell everyone about the effects of disobeying or keeping precepts. Recently a monk, after declaring his vows, neglected to confront the challenges and broke his vegetarian diet, violating his precepts without any consideration. One night, he dreamt of the underworld, where he saw the “Investigation Department.” He saw within this hell many demons all placing lanterns above an altar. After some time he saw Yama emerge from the great door of the department, as impressive as the Emperor himself. He heard the announcement of the Judge, who arrived and quickly arranged the lanterns on the altar in their proper order, just as a feudal lord would arrange his subjects to be received.
只见一位仙官，戴金莲冠，身云鹤氅，手捧黄筒，迎进去了。众鬼不得进去，这道人便要进去。鬼卒骂道：“你们是甚么游魂，敢到森罗大殿？”一个鬼卒道：“是个道人的打扮。”那鬼道：“前日诏书吩咐，凡修道持戒之人，命终之日，许具衣冠进去。有光明者，从正门进；光小者，东角门进；无光者，革除戒名，锁械西角门外，按牌赴审。你这道人，又没有光明，一团黑气，与我一般，混充道人，快走快走！”一手执铁棍打来。
In one place he saw an immortal official wearing a golden lotus crown, his body covered in a crane cloak, his hand holding a yellow rod, going to enter the building. Though the many spirits were unable to enter this Taoist did so easily. One of the ghosts berated him saying “What kind of wandering spirit are you, looking to walk straight into the great temple?” Another demon responded, “He’s dressed like a Taoist.” The first ghost responded “The day before yesterday, a command was ordered, that ordinary Taoists who uphold precepts on the day of their death, are permitted to possess that crown and those clothes and go through the door. Those who are illuminated enter though the straight door; those whose light is smaller enter through the door in the eastern corner; those without any light at all who have revolted against the names of their vows are bound in shackles and put outside the western gate to await judgement. You there, Taoist, you’ve got no light, just completely dark energy, the same as me, you’re just trying to pass as a Taoist. Get out of here!” With that he struck out at the dreaming disciple with a metal rod.
戒子惊醒，明明记得。随即翻身下床，净了面手，取火焚香，大生恐惧，悲哀忏悔，痛改前非，精严不怠。忽一日梦游地府，仍系向日所游之地。见执铁锁铁棍的鬼卒跪道：“请问仙长，要到何所？”
When the disciple awoke with a start he clearly remembered the dream. He rolled over and got off of the bed, washed his hands and face and lit the incense. Filled with great fear, he sorrowfully repented to correct all of his previous wrongdoings with untiring dedication. Suddenly a waking dream overtook the disciple and he was taken back to the world he had seen in his former dream. He saw the same demon soldier holding an iron lock and an iron rod respectfully asking “Excuse me Immortal Sir, where would you like to go?”
戒子回言：“我因云游到此，不敢惊动大王，就此回去。”那鬼卒言：“大王有例，凡有戒行光明仙长到此，需到茶厅，先请坐下，问下名号登簿，以便稽查。”戒子回言：“并无公事，不坐罢了。”随即回身，忽然出境，因向大众告知。前游被鬼打骂，后游跪接问名，本系一心之进退，即有两样之看承，若非一悔前非，依然本相。鬼神之道，可不怅哉！
The disciple replied, saying “I somehow wandered here, I don’t want to disturb the Great King, and I ought to be heading back.” The demon replied, “The Great King has a rule; if a monk who has taken vows arrives here he’s asked to go to the tea house, have a seat and write his name down in the register so he may be evaluated.” The disciple replied “I really have no business here, please excuse me for not taking a seat.” He returned to his body and immediately ran outside to inform everybody of his story. In the first dream the demon had attacked and cursed him, in the second dream the demon had knelt and asked his name. According to the progress or transgression of his heart, he was given two types of reception, if it had not been for his repentance for his past mistakes he would have been in the same situation as before. The spirits of the Way don’t make errors!
大众，时光容易过，心性要光明。莫待无常到，阴司黑暗行。牛头无好处，马面不容情。有过急须改，全凭戒行精。万法千门，修心为上。无边无岸，苦海难逃。欲入仙都，早明定慧。戒能坚固，智慧光生。仔细思量，守戒第一。
Everyone, time passes easily; the nature of the heart requires illumination. Do not wait for death to arrive; the underworld is a dark place to walk. The Ox Head has no goodness and the Horse Face is merciless. When transgressions are made you must hurry to correct them, everything depends upon strict adherence to the precepts. Use the ten thousand laws and the thousand doors to cultivate the heart to rise. Boundless and without shores, it is difficult to escape the sea of bitterness. The desire to achieve the immortal state brings one closer to understanding the wisdom of stillness. If precepts are held firm than the light of wisdom is born. Carefully consider this and uphold precepts as the first priority.