一、前言
信堅近日,回頭重看道德經。之前以為,道德經跟一乘佛經相近,幾乎所說,都可在佛經裡找到更詳細註解,因此至今只選幾篇特別代表作,加以一乘真義解說。但以道德經文,深植中國道德文化觀念,讀者能由解悟道德經義理,幫助了解佛經修証。此觀點,早就於明末,為憨山大師所指出。
前幾天,偶爾看到“渦陽天靜宮” 網站,張貼的 “對《道德經》“出生入死章”的勘誤,解決了兩千多年來的懸案。以此為前導,信堅再繼續複習舊筆記。發現以前一直想張貼的此篇經文,正是老君教導修道者,如何修證得道的五大步驟,是如何修證見性的總綱領。文章簡短扼要,提綱契領,值得向讀者介紹。
二、經文中英對照
載營魄抱一,能無離乎。專氣致柔,能嬰兒乎。滌除玄覽,能如疵乎。愛國治民,能無知乎?天門開闔,能無雌乎?明白四達,能無爲乎?生之,畜之。生而不有,爲而不恃,長而不宰,是謂玄德。
網路也刊載了一篇相當好的英譯版,可見西方學者對道德經的重視:
Can you coax your mind from its wandering and keep to the original oneness? Can you let your body become supple as newborn babies? Can you cleanse your inner vision until you see nothing but the light? Can you love people and lead them without imposing your will? Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things? Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
三、此章要義
此章教人,修行證道之法門,必至忘知絕跡,然後方契,玄妙之德,明心見性。此章要旨,首言抱一者。即是抱元守一之道也。人能抱元守一,則營魄自然,載而不離矣。既載而不離,我之真炁,必專於一。既專於一,其炁必致於柔和。炁既柔和。故與嬰兒,無欲無知,無思無慮、體虛柔和可比也。既與嬰兒可比,則德性渾全,至淳至善,無欲無為,無知無得,與道相應。
此章可分為兩大段。第一大段是老君教導,修行者證道的六大總持法門,是為道者,開啟眾妙之門的金鑰匙。每句的後半句似乎是疑問,其實疑問本身就是最好的答案。一載營魄抱一,能無離乎? 二專氣致柔,能嬰兒乎? 三滌除玄覽,能如疵乎?四愛國治民,能無知乎?此天門開闔,能無雌乎?六明白四達,能無爲乎?
第二大段,是老君勉勵修行此法門者,應持有的心態: 生之,畜之,生而不有,爲而不恃,長而不宰。若能依此修煉,精進不懈,必能證得,自性本具的玄秘而深邃的德能,明心見性,見性成佛。 Continue reading →