【修持轨理 The Meditation Session】正行 - 总共修法 Actual session - How to sustain the meditation in general P15

【修持轨理】正行 - 总共修法

【故于所修诸所缘境，数量次第，先须决定。】

决定里边是一个学问，不是我们今天说听懂了，没有决定，根本没有决定！因为你正式修的时候，那个真正重要的关键在修的时候。所以你现在听的时候你听懂了，听懂了你回去的时候，你心里还是含含糊糊，那个没有用！这个主要的要到后面讲。
所以什么叫「决定」？就是当你坐下来念这分佛号的时候，什么东西都动摇不了你。我想我们大家都有这个经验，说在这个环境安安静静是满好，烦恼来的时候挡不住。为什么？佛号它主要的目的是对治烦恼，烦恼是生死的根，佛号是出生死的。请问你这句佛号挡不住烦恼，有用吗？假定你对前面的能够决定的话，跑到那个时候的烦恼来的，拿起来，一下烦恼消于无影。所以古人说，这个东西放在手上像金刚王宝剑一样——「佛来佛斩，魔来魔斩。」为什么啊？就是那个东西拿起来的，不管你任何东西来动不了你。这个所谓佛、魔两样东西，广义的你要了解，顺好的，使你引发你贪心的——不动；逆境发你嗔心的——不动，这个叫「佛来佛斩，魔来魔斩。」那个时候就是你决定了。然后你安住在上面。

来源 SOURCE：

日常师父法语 24A 26’52”手抄稿第三册 P269L8

24A 26’52”Vol 3 of Master Jih-Chang’s Discourse, P269L8
English Lamrim Vol 1, P99

【The Meditation Session】【Actual session - How to sustain the meditation in general】

【Therefore, from the beginning, firmly determine the definite order and enumeration of whatever objects of meditation you wish 】

There is a great deal to learn about this ‘determine’. This is not the same as ‘today we have heard and understood’. This does not indicate ‘determine’. No determination has been made at all! This is because when you actually practice, the crucial point is when you are practicing. As you hear this now, you understand, but after you understand and go home, if this is still vague to you, then it is futile! This will mainly be explained much later.

So what is considered as "determine"? This means when you sit down to recite the Buddha's name, there is nothing that can sway you. I think we all have had this type of experience, where we are fine when the environment is calm. However, when the afflictions come, we are unable to stop them. Why? The main purpose of the Buddha's name is to remedy afflictions. The root of cyclic existence is afflictions. The Buddha's name is to help us escape from cyclic existence. May I ask you then, if you are unable to stop your afflictions with the recitation of the Buddha's name, then is it useful ? If you are determined, of what was said earlier, then when afflictions come, you will bring these things to mind and vanquish the afflictions immediately. So the ancient sages said that this was like putting a Vajra-King Jeweled sword in your hand, "When the Buddha comes, it cuts the Buddha down. When the demons come, it cuts the demons down." Why? That is, you are determined and no matter what comes your way, nothing can sway you. With regards to the connotations of the Buddha and the demons here, you should understand it from the perspective of the broad definition. This would mean for something that is attractive and which will draw out your attachment - you will not be swayed. For adversities which will rouse your hostility - you will not be swayed. This would be subsumed into "When the Buddha comes, it cuts the Buddha down. When the demons come, it cuts the demons down." At this point, you are considered determined. Then you abide on this.