【亲近善知识 Relying on The Excellent Teacher】亲近胜利者 The benefits of relying on the teacher P18
【亲近胜利者】
【《本生论》亦云：「悉不应远诸善士，以调伏理修善行，由近彼故其德尘，虽不故染自然薰。」】
在任何情况之下，「悉」，换句话说，任何情况之下，绝不可以远离诸善士。这个「诸善士」包括你的尊重，以及你的同行善知识。换句话说，修行你绝不可以离开善知识，你一离开善知识，修行绝不成就。除非你自己有了相当成就，到了地上的菩萨，那可以远离，并不是一切时远离喔！不是一切时远离。真正说起来，到了地上的菩萨，他一切时都在亲近善知识，不过以我们眼前的眼光来看，我们看这个标准来看，那个时候他地上的菩萨可以离开佛菩萨到众生当中，实际上那个时候众生对他来说也是善知识。
这一点我想我们容或不太了解，为什么这个众生是他的善知识啊？地上菩萨行什么？广行六度，你如果在佛国土当中，还要你这个菩萨来布施吗？
来源 SOURCE：
日常师父法语 21A 19’02”手抄稿第三册 P154L8
21A 19’02” Vol 3 of Master Jih-Chang’s Discourse P154L8
English Lamrim Vol 1, P88
【The benefits of relying on the teacher】
【Also, the Garland of Birth Stories states:
Any intelligent person should not be distant from excellent beings And should rely on these virtuous beings in a disciplined manner. Once you are close to them, particles of their good qualities Will stick to you automatically. 】
Under any circumstance, "any," in other words under any circumstance, one should not be distant from excellent beings. This "excellent beings" includes your guru, and also your fellow practitioner- excellent teachers. That is to say, you absolutely should not be apart from an excellent teacher if you wish to cultivate. Once you become distant from an excellent teacher, your cultivation will not amount to anything. Unless you are already at a certain level, such as one who is a first level Bodhisattva, then you can be distant from a teacher. However, this does not mean he can be distant at all times! This does not mean he can be distant at all times. In reality, a first level Bodhisattva is close to the excellent teacher at all times. However, in our eyes, if we use our standard to look at this, then Bodhisattvas at the first level and higher can leave the Buddha to be among living beings. In fact, at that time, all living beings will be like excellent teachers to them.
In regards to this, I think that we may not understand it that well. Why are living beings considered his excellent teachers? What do first level Bodhisattvas cultivate? Vast practice of the six perfections. If you are in the Buddha's land, what need is there for you as a Bodhisattva to practice generosity?
