【Benefits of relying on the teacher】- Think that you must not leave the excellent teachers

【Bodhisattvas who bring to mind their teachers will fulfill all of their aims. 】

Not only should you have no doubt, but also keep [your teacher] in your thoughts. “Bring to mind” relates to your mental activity, your initiative. Constantly think: Well, you definitely must not leave the teacher! Never ever leave the excellent teacher! Normally, what is the state of our mind? It is an ethically neutral state. That is actually the time to strive hard! Thus, this is why it is called “reflecting.” That is, constantly have the thought of: Well! I want to be closer to the teacher. If you view your teacher as Amitabha Buddha, then you say “Nan Mo Amitabha Buddha.” These two words “Nan Mo” have a special meaning! If you really mindfully and sincerely take refuge in Amitabha Buddha wholeheartedly, with this intent, then the two words of “Nan Mo” can be done away with. Otherwise, include the two words of “Nan Mo,” which is to “bring to mind their teachers.”

If you can earnestly apply in this manner, then Amitabha Buddha is in this world. You don’t need to wait until arriving at the Pure Land, which may be decades from now. You can experience it now. Why? No Buddha is an exception; all Buddhas follow the same path. Like our Teacher Shakyamuni, “Vairocana Buddha* is omnipresent, the place he resides is the realm of eternally quiescent light.” It has been clearly stated! Buddhas are everywhere! Our Shakyamuni Buddha will appear, and Amitabha Buddha will appear. Because the doubt in our minds has not been purified, they(teachers) remain distant.

[*Vairocana Buddha is the Dharma form of Shakyamuni Buddha]

SOURCE 来源 :

20B 18’10”  Vol 3 of Master Jih-Chang’s Discourse P137 LL2
English Lamrim Vol 1 P88

日常师父法语20B 18’10” 手抄稿第3册P137 LL2

亲近胜利 : 起心动念不离开善知识

【作意不舍善知识者，一切利义，悉能成办。】

不但是不能疑，还要起心动念，“作意”就是你起心动念的，主动的心。一直在想：哎呀，你绝不可以离开善知识！绝不可以离开善知识！平常我们心里面是什么状态呢？在无记当中。那个是真正努力的时候！所以为什么叫“思惟”，就是说心里经常这样想: 啊! 我要亲近善知识，假定你把那个善知识看成阿弥陀佛，那时候你就是“南无阿弥陀佛”，所以这“南无”两个字有特别意义哦！你如果说心里面，的确我一心皈投依靠阿弥陀佛———有了这个心意的话，那个“南无”两个字可以不要；如果没有的话，那个“南无”两个字加进去，那就是“作意不舍善知识”。

如果说你能够认真这样去做的话，阿弥陀佛就在这个世间，用不着到极乐世界，要到几十年以后，眼前就有。为什么？没有一个佛例外的，佛佛道同。像我们释迦世尊一样，“毗卢遮那佛遍一切时处，其佛所住名常寂光”。说得很清楚嘛！哪里不是！我们释迦世尊，现前；阿弥陀佛，现前。因为我们的心里面疑念没有净除，所以远离。