龙门心法
Dragon Gate: Law of the Heart
CHAPTER #1
皈依三宝
TAKING REFUGE IN THE THREE TREASURES
三宝者，道经师也。道本虚空，无形无名，非经不可以明道。道在经中，幽深微妙，非师不能得其理。若不皈依三宝，必致轮回邪道，颠倒沉迷。凡修真学道之士，志心皈命者，须作难遭之想。
The three treasures are the Way, the Scripture and the Teacher. The Way is the source of the void. It is formless and nameless. Without scriptures it is impossible to understand the Way, for the Way is described within the scriptures. A teacher has deep and perceptive insight, without which one cannot achieve the essence of the teaching. Without taking refuge in these three treasures, one can’t extract themselves from cycles of evil and will remain entrenched in confusion. When a regular person cultivates themselves with the study of the Way, they arrange their heart and determination in compliance with their life and destiny. One must endure difficulty for this wish to come to realization.
第一皈依，无上道宝，当愿众生，常侍天尊，求脱轮回。第二皈依，无上经宝，当愿众生，生生世世，得闻正法。第三皈依无上师宝，当愿众生，学最上乘，不落邪见。
The first refuge is the incomparably treasure of the Way, which wills for all life to always serve the celestial ones, and forever escape the world of reincarnations. The second refuge is the incomparable treasure of the scripture, which wills for all life, life after life, world after world to achieve the upright law. The third refuge is the incomparable treasure of the teacher, who wills for every life to study the highest materials and never descend into evil.
此三皈依，乃昔之圣贤，度人入道，第一步上升之路，第一重入德之门。成仙成道，成圣成贤，莫不从此三皈依起首。何以故？盖性命生死，大事因缘，微细秘密，难可见闻。
These three refuges were used by the sages of the past to bring deliverance to people and as an entrance to the Way. They are the first step on the path to ascension, the first way into the doors of virtue. Of those who have become immortals and achieved the way of sages and those of great virtue, there is none who has not begun with these three refuges. How one must control one’s essence and character, life and death, overcome the great events of one’s fate and have insight into the most subtle of mysteries of life is difficult to look and listen for.
最上一乘，解脱妙法，若非真师，垂慈开示，引诱灵机，安能顿悟大乘正宗，渐入虚无妙道，而不致堕落邪见，错入旁门耶？
The highest teaching is the brilliant method of deliverance. When a student is without the loving compassion and instruction of a true teacher, who leads them to a sudden spiritual insight, how can they come to a point of calm and find the truth of this highest teaching and genuine ancestry? How can one come to a point where they gradually enter into the emptiness of the mysterious way and no longer fall into the demonic realms and enter the side doors?
所以未能明道，先皈依经。未能明经，先皈依师。若能皈依师宝，则经宝可闻于不闻之中。能闻经宝，则道宝可见于不见之际。昔日之不可见不可闻者，一旦豁然贯通，皆由皈依师宝之力也。自然解悟真文，得明正法，超脱生死，不落轮回矣。
If one can’t understand the Way than they should first take refuge in the Scripture. If they can’t understand the scripture they should take refuge in a teacher. If one takes refuge with a teacher, they can hear what they otherwise would not have understood of the scriptures. When one can hear the scriptures like this, they’ll see a Way they would have otherwise not seen. In the beginning one cannot see nor hear, but in a single moment everything dawns on them in perfect clarity. This power comes from taking refuge with a precious and genuine teacher. It is what lets one naturally awaken to the true world, achieve and understand the true law, escape from the cycle of living and dying and never fall back to the wheel of return.
但我所说皈依三宝法门，须要皈依真三宝。何以故？如今大众，以此三皈依，视为泛常，早晚在圣像前，口诵礼拜而已，并不曾嚼破皈依端的为何而来，所以毕竟沈迷邪法，不免轮回。如何得明大道，得脱生死哉！
This being said about taking refuge in the gateway of the three treasures, one must be sure to take refuge in the TRUE three treasures. These days, if the treasure of the three refuges is taken as ordinary than one ends up morning and evening facing the statues of deities and doing nothing more than blankly reciting scriptures. But this is certainly not the actual purpose for which these refuges arose. After all is said and done one is still entrenched in the ways of confusion and evil and unable to free themselves from samsara. How can one understand the great Way and achieve liberation from living and dying like this?
所说真三宝者，皈依意，使念无生灭，则道宝可得而明。
The true three treasures are called taking refuge with intention, an intention to be without “living and dying.” Following this precious course one can achieve understanding.
皈依心，使机无障碍，则经宝可得而悟。
Taking refuge in the heart; which is to function without obstructions. By this one can achieve awakening through the treasure of the scripture.
皈依身，使眼无见，耳无闻，鼻无嗅，舌无尝，手无妄动，足无妄行，不染邪淫秽污，躬行苦行，劳其筋骨，饿其肌肤，隳其肢体，舍其形骸，则师宝可得而感矣。
The refuge of the Body is an eye without sight, an ear which cannot hear, a nose which doesn’t smell, a tongue that doesn’t taste, hands that don’t move, and feet which don’t walk. Not defiling these things with obscene pollutions, one undertakes bitter cultivation. Working their bones and tendons, starving their skin and muscles, destroying the limbs and the trunk, one abandons their body. This is the precious teacher which allows one to achieve realfeeling.
有能感动师慈，传经授道者，必自己皈依自己之身、心、意，为真三宝也。我身之耳目，未能忘其见闻，非迷于色，即着于声 。声色尚存，则身非真矣。非真何以感师？苟能持身端正，心养灵根，意合真常，则念念虚空，湛然泰定，名为皈依三宝。身不邪淫，师宝可感；心不昧灵，则经宝可悟；意不二用，则道宝可明。
If one looks to have the compassionate feeling of the teacher, to teach the scripture and pass along the Way, they must take refuge in their own body, heart and intention; the three true refuges. One’s eyes and ears never forget what they have seen and heard. By being lost in appearances and sounds, those sounds and images take on value and the body becomes untrue. When a person is untrue how can they touched by a teacher? If one can keep their body in a pure state, support the root of spirit with their heart and unify their intention with the Eternal, their thoughts become empty. This is a profound and stable peace, which is called “taking refuge in the three treasures.” When the body isn’t evil or excessive, the blessing of the teacher is felt. The heart doesn’t conceal the spirit so the treasure of the scripture is awakened. The intention is never divided so the great way is understood.
身固则精全而体健，心灵则气清而慧通，意诚则神凝而性现。精气既足，神智变化，玄妙不测，皆从皈依身心意，自己三宝来，然道经师，即从而出也。
The body is strong, the essence full and so there is health. The energy of the heart and spirit are clarified and thereby opened to wisdom. The intention is honest and the spirit solidifies so true nature appears. Fullness of essence and energy coalesce and transform into Spirit. The mysterious culminates. By taking refuge in the body, heart and intention (one’s own three treasures) the Way, the Scripture and the Teacher emerge.
且说如何皈依身心意。大众！汝等各各志心谛听，我所说明皈依身心意三宝之法，使汝等破暗除疑。大众！此身乃父精母血，交媾成形，性情、容颜、肢体，从胞胎长就，一团污秽，四大皮囊，眼视耳听，手动足行，口说舌尝，最非常久良善之物。
What is it to take refuge in the body, heart and intention? This body is what has taken form from combining the essence of a father and the blood of a mother. One’s temperament and disposition are contained within the body, which grew forth from an embryo. The four elements combine and form the filthy leather bag we call a human body. The eyes see, the ears hear, the hands move and the feet walk. The mouth speaks and the tongue tastes. It is not an enduring or virtuous form.
善用者，则成仙成佛，成圣成贤；不善用者，则成魔成怪，成鬼成畜生。向上一转，则天堂可登；向下一转，则地狱可到。受福报者，以此为外物；受恶报者，以此作真基。何况大众，既已出家，欲超生死，必须发心，皈依此身，方为妥当。不然，则六根外用，三毒内生，万祸千灾，九魔十难，皆由身起，如何能够，修行入道？
By virtue one becomes immortal or attains sage hood. Without virtue one becomes a ghost or demon, a monster or an animal. Making their way upward one level a person may ascend to paradise, moving downward one level they may descends to hell. If a person sees some external value in this karmic system they receive only retribution. If one takes this as a real spiritual foundation and ignores everyone else, renounces the world and truly wishes to escape the cycle of living and dying, they must decide to take refuge in the body, orient themselves towards the proper way. Otherwise the six roots are used externally, the three poisons are created, ten thousand desires and a thousand calamities, nine demons, ten difficulties all arise from the body. In this state how can a person ever hope to cultivate the Way?
若要皈依，惟有一法，能制此身。须是行持戒律，收伏狂骸。以四大威仪为主，行住坐卧，约束端庄。使耳不听声，目不视色，庄严妙相，端正慈悲，人见欢喜，又生恭敬者。戒律拘制，狂身变为法躯，而师宝可皈矣。
If a person is going to take refuge there is only one method; to control the body. Following precepts, and subduing the wildness of the body. Using the manner of the four elements whether walking, standing, sitting, or sleeping one remains conservative and dignified. A person’s ears do not to hear, their eyes not to see they remain in an appropriate state of compassion. They discover joy and develop respect. The limits imposed by precepts create this state and the uncontrolled body becomes the body of the law, so one can take refuge in the teacher.
大众！此第一段法，既已指明，须是皈依心。大众！此心又比此身不同。险恶异变，不可测度，如风如海，海水洪深，风势号怒，波涛潮浪，拥迭汹翻，难可渡也。今欲皈依此心，当明此心, 最非常久良善之物。
Everyone! When one has demonstrated this first phase, one must seek the refuge of the Heart. When one’s body and heart aren’t aligned, danger develops and one is unable to find deliverance. Like the wind or sea, the deep waters of an ocean flood, the fury of a blowing gale, and the billowing tidal waves, it is a great struggle to escape this turmoil. If one wishes to find refuge in the heart, they must know the heart, and it is the most benevolent and long enduring thing.
贪生好色，犯法遭殃；饿鬼畜生，癃残疾病，水火刀兵，瘟蝗劫苦，山崩地震，星殒日食，海啸河奔，妖邪鬼怪，皆从此心，招遥起首。若欲修行，不自皈依此心者，岂能悟透玄机，得明正法？
Greed creates lust, which goes against the law and brings calamity. When the heart becomes like this a person becomes a starving animal or an evil demon. They become sick and disabled, experience the pain of war, the bitterness of plague and pestilence, landslides and earthquakes. They witness the eclipsing of the sun and the death of stars, endure tsunamis and floods and encounter monstrous demons, all because of this contamination at the beginning. If one wishes to cultivate but doesn’t take refuge in the heart, how can they pass through to the awakening of truth and achieve an understanding of the true law?
欲制此心，须是持戒入定。此心无明火发，烈焰熏烧，非水不能，定则为水，端制狂炎，譬如海水乘风，波涛汹涌，舟航商贾，惊惶恐惧。突得风恬浪息，水不生波，平稳达岸。心火正炽，定水潜降，化烈焰为慧风，变无明为良知，转身色为空虚，改灾难为吉祥，移祸因为福果，解冤孽为眷属，消劫运为玄风，俾凶恶为贤良，使淫奢为诚朴，愁苦为欢喜，疾病瘥痊，饥荒丰稔，鬼魔消灭，仙佛现前，迷而复悟，枯而更荣者，皆定力也。
To control the heart, it is necessary to take precepts and sit in meditation. A heart without understanding emits a flame, which chars and burns. So this cannot be done without water. Stillness is called water, which controls the chaotic blaze. This could be likened to strong sea winds and billowing waves blowing a merchants boat and terrorizing those on board. Suddenly the wind dies, the waves rest and the sea is calm all the way to the shore. The fire of the heart is a blaze; calm water descends unseen, changing this burning fire to the winds of wisdom, changing ignorance into innate wisdom. It transforms bodily desires into emptiness, changes the calamitous to the auspicious. Disaster is changed to fortune, sins are separated from families, calamity is replaced by profound wisdom, evil becomes virtue, excess and extravagance become honesty and sincerity, anxiety becomes joy, illness is recovered, famines are replaced with heavy harvests, demons disappear, immortals and buddhas are nearby, misunderstanding is clarified, and what withers is grown anew. This is the power of stillness.
心平气定，气定心明，而经宝可皈矣。大众，既将定力摄服狂心，经宝既明，又须皈意。
The heart is at peace and the energy is stable. Because energy is stable the heart is understood, so one can take refuge in the treasure of the scripture. Everyone, having taken action to stabilize and assimilate the power of the wild and uncontrolled heart, one understands the treasure of the scripture, so one must now seek refuge in the intention.
神通不测, 或往或来, 变化多端, 倏胜倏灭，如龙如虎, 不可擒拿，如影如风，不可把捉，无形无见，无声可闻，耳不能听，目不能视，口不能说，鼻不能嗅，舌不能尝，心不能知，奇幻诈伪，千谋万虑，善用者，可以成真入圣，治国安民，三纲五伦，皆从此出，三教九流，俱从此起，忠孝节义，皆从此生，性命轮回，皆从此定，祸福吉凶，灾祥劫运，皆从此以为果报。不善者，流浪欲河，沉伦苦海，永无出期。
Spirit is measureless, it may come or go, it is multiform and changing, it manifests and disappears spontaneously. Like a dragon or a tiger it cannot be caught, like a shadow or wind it is ungraspeable. It is formless and invisible. It’s sound is noiseless, ears cannot hear it and eyes cannot see it. The mouth cannot speak of it, the nose cannot smell it and the tongue cannot taste it. The heart knows no fantasies and falsehoods, nor does it scheme or ponder. Using it one may discover truth and become a sage, pacify the country and people. The three principles five relationships all comes from it. The three teachings and the nine schools all begin from it. Loyalty purity chastity and duty are all born from it, the cycle of life is stabilized in it. Fate and misfortune, auspiciousness and providence are considered it’s doing. Without virtue one roams about the river of desire and sinks into vice and the sea of bitterness, never to emerge.
大众！汝等欲修大道，若不皈依此意，必难安定。若欲皈依意者，必须慧光朗照，明了觉悟，一念未动之前，定水澄清，一念已萌之际，灵光不昧。机由枢转，星随斗移。执生死之权，先诚此意。掌轮回之柄，先诚此意。出生死苦，脱轮回难，务必皈依自己心中意宝。
Everyone! If one wishes to cultivate the great way and they haven’t taken refuge in their intention it is difficult for one to achieve a stable peace. If one has the desire to seek refuge in intention their wisdom will shine brightly and they will be awakened. Before intention is made the water must be still and pure. The sprout grows after that time is passed, the divine light will be revealed and one controls life and death. With this honest intention one holds the handle of cause and effect. With this sincere intention one leaves the bitterness of living and dying, and escapes samsara by taking refuge in the core of this precious intention.
一念纯真，上可通天，下能格幽。鬼神失色，日月失明，造化失权，阴阳失机，妖魔遁迹，世界真空。三界内外，惟意为尊。放之则有，收入则无。纵横自在，莫非此意。
With one pure intention, one can reach the heavens above and resist the evils below. Evil spirits lose their form, the sun and moon lose their light, creation loses its weight, yin and yang lose their polarity, demons hide and the world is truly empty. Within and beyond the three realms there is only an intention of reverence. Release what is full and embrace what is empty. Unrestrained in every way, nothing is without this wish.
上朝元始为祖气，中归灵宝为梵气，下依太上为真气。散为浩气，聚为元气，慈悲仁惠为阳气，震怒刑罚为阴气，贪嗔躁暴为血气，淫杀盗妄为邪气，执着蔽塞为魔气，凶残暗昧为妖气，劫运冤苦为怨气。皆由大众，身不皈依师宝，则放纵凶强；心不皈依经宝，则昏迷暗昧；意不皈依道宝，则偏邪不正。不正则失中，失中则慧光不生，定力不固，戒行不严，神不能凝，气不能聚，精不能运，意不能诚，心不能明，身不能修矣。
At the highest level we face the Original Beginning. It is called the ancestor of energy. In the center we return to the spiritual treasure. It is called holy energy. Below we depend on the most high which we call true energy. Dispersing is called benevolent energy; coming together is called original energy. Compassion and benevolence is Yang energy, rage and punishment are Yin energy. Anger covetousness and violence are blood energy. Murder, thievery and excess are demonic energy. Attachment and covetousness are evil energy. Savagery and ignorance are monstrous energy. Injustice and calamity are grieving energy. Concerning all beings, if the Body doesn’t seek the refuge of the Teacher, self-indulgence and inauspiciousness are strong. If the Heart doesn’t take refuge in the Scripture one is comatose, docile and confused. If the Intention doesn’t take refuge in the Way, there is bias and prejudice. Not being upright one loses their center. Losing the center prevents the light of wisdom from growing; stability is undermined, precepts aren’t followed strictly, the spirit can’t coalesce, energy cannot assemble, essence cannot flow. Intention cannot be sincere, the heart cannot shine, the body cannot cultivate.
大众！我今明将大道，直指人心。急早降伏身心意，化为三宝真身，然后皈依道经师宝，以求出世，不可迟也。若有能依戒定慧法门，行持信心，不生疑惑者，当知此人，决定成道。如不依此修行，当知此人，罪深福薄，不能明道，鬼神不容此人，得闻无上至真清静解脱之道也。慎勿嗔呵，当生慈悯，委曲方便，引诱入道，是名皈依三宝弟子。
Everyone! Today I spoke of searching for the Great Way, and pointed straight to the human heart. If one is eager and quick to tame their, Body, Heart and Intention, they will transform into the real body of the three treasure. After which refuge is taken in the three refuges, the Way, the Scripture and the Teacher. To ask for liberation from this world one can’t tarry. When one commits to discipline and sits in the stillness of wisdom at the door of the law, they may walk in faith without uncertainty and it is known that this person is certain to achieve the Way. If one doesn’t commit to this cultivation, it is known that this person sins are deep and fortune thin and they cannot understand the Way, for the Spirits will not allow it. This person must hear the supreme truth, the Way of peace, stillness and deliverance. If a person is careful to never become angry, always create compassion and empathy, knows all the ways to help, and is drawn to enter the Way, then they can be called a disciple who has taken refuge in the three treasures.
