“一人传虚,万人传实”——公案、话头的“虚言”属性

Park Hyeseung,“Chan Master Enlightened Peoplewith ‘Empty Words',but Everyone Takes it as ‘Dogma( Doctrine) '”: The Empty Attribute of Gong'an( Public Case) and Huatou( Key Phrase)

所谓"分别",即执着(僵化的意识等)与差别(二分对立的观念),是遮蔽本来面目的障碍。言语的本质属性也是固着与分割,分别攀缘言语(概念)强化了执着与差别。也就是说,言语强化了思考的执着与差别,思考又加强了言语的固着与分割属性。因此,只有障碍即言语概念与思考体系完全瓦解,本来面目、本地风光才能显现出来。一般来说,祖师提示学人的言句不是像哲学命题或宗教教义那样含有什么意味或者规定、确定什么概念及结论的"实法",而是使学人消除思量分别的一种空荡荡、"没滋味"的随立随扫的"虚言"。尤其在看话禅,这种虚言性的公案及话头,是一边搅乱动摇衲僧的分别、一边又要将衲僧的分别反转为疑情的明眼宗师的手段。换言之,公案与话头就是要把衲子引到"言语道断,心行处灭"(言亡虑绝)的境界(疑情状态或顿悟见性)。为此,在作家宗师句下,衲僧如果不能顿悟,那么应当就其言句起疑情,用其疑情的火焰彻底烧掉一切妄情妄识(思量分别),不应把"虚言"误认作"实法"而进行理性的理解或追求逻辑的解答。

Discrimination means attachment and distinction,and it is the obstacle that hides our true selves. The intrinsic attribute of language is also to stick and divide,and by means of such language,discrimination consolidates attachment and distinction. In other words,by means of language,the thought with attachment and distinction is reinforced,and in turn,by means of thought,the attribute of language to stick and divide is increased. Therefore,we cannot reveal our true selves until the language and thought dissolved completely.Generally speaking,the words that a Chan master tell his disciple is not ＂dogma（ doctrine） ＂but a sort of ＂empty words＂that make the disciple sweep his discrimination away. Especially,from the viewpoint of Kanhua-Chan,both Gong＇an and Huatou have empty attribute. Such Gong＇an and Huatou transfer the disciple＇s discrimination into the sensation of doubt as they disturb his. That is to say,Gong＇an and Huatou make it possible for disciples to meet the state which is ＂beyond words and thought＂（ the sensation of doubt or to behold one＇s true self）. Thus,disciples create the sensation of doubt under Chan master＇s words,and thus have to burn all their discrimination with doubt＇s flame thoroughly. However,disciples mistaking＂empty words＂into＂dogma（ doctrine） ＂and trying to understand it rationally will have no other possibility but failure.