Difficulties as Encouragement for Cultivation
English version sourced from Bodhi Fansubs, translated by D.T. Suzuki
法師講解：舉難勸修（2）
Difficult to find a virtuous mentor: The Lotus Sutra mentioned that it takes very strong karmic causes to meet a virtuous mentor because a virtuous mentor is the one who can nourish our Bodhi mind and guide us towards Buddhahood. Some beginners prefer to learn by themselves through reading, but this kind of self-taught approach is unsound for Buddhism learning because it often causes departure from the right view.
會善知識難：《妙法蓮華經》說遇到善知識是需要很大的因緣，因為善知識可以引導我們發菩提心，令我們得以成佛。有些初學者會喜歡自己看書，但無師自通的學佛方式是行不通的，因為這樣很容易導致知見上的錯誤。
In the eightfold noble path, the right view ranks number one for it is like a navigator when we embark on a long journey. It ensures that travelers can reach the destination accurately without losing their bearing. On the journey towards Buddhahood, we can afford to advance steadily but not off the track. A virtuous mentor is our navigator to guide us towards the right view and thus liberation from cyclic rebirth.
八正道中以正見第一，它好比遠行的導航儀，令遠行者準確到達目的地，不會迷途。在學佛的道上，我們可以走得慢但不能走錯方向。教授善知識就是我們的導航儀引導我們建立正確的知見，並帶領我們了脫生死。
Apart from this, we also need companion mentors to provide mutual support, to encourage us whenever we are in self-indulgence, and to take care of us during sickness, etc. As for monastics, we also need supportive mentors to provide assistance to the Sangha so that we can stay focused on cultivation. Mentors can be categorized as above. Have you ever imagined that you can also be a mentor of others?
除此之外，我們更需要同行善知識的互相扶持，當我們放逸時作提點，在我們生病時加以照顧等。對出家人而言，我們也需要外護善知識來護持僧團，令出家人安心修道。善知識是可以按上述那樣分類，你有否想過自己也可以成為別人的善知識？
Difficult to liberate others: modern education advocates teaching in accordance with students』 aptitude; the Buddhas also have the perfect wisdom to understand the aptitude of every sentient being, and thus to tell them the suitable dharma accordingly. For this reason, the five vehicles of Buddhism come into being. Nevertheless, the Buddhas』 ultimate goal is to help us attain buddhahood. In the Lotus Sutra, Sakyamuni Buddha had told 7 important parables, namely:
the Burning House,
the Prodigal Son,
the Medicinal Herbs,
the Phantom City,
the Gem in the Jacket,
the Gem in the King's Top-Knot,
and the Excellent Physician.
隨化度人難：現代教育講求因材施教，佛陀的智慧能了知每一個眾生的根器，並對機說法，所以有五乘佛法的出現，但最終目的都是為了令眾生成佛。在《法華經》中，釋迦牟尼佛說出了七個重要寓言故事，分別為：火宅喻、窮子喻、藥草喻、化城喻、衣珠喻、髻（jì）珠喻、醫子喻。
Each of the parables represents a skillful means leading to buddhahood finally. Take the Buddha’s disciple Panthaka as an example; he was such a slow-witted person who had a very poor memory. He was not able to learn four statements of verse in 3 months, and even his elder brother suggested him to go home. However the Buddha assigned him sweeping the floor and asked him to recite the two words 「clean up」 repeatedly. Very soon his karmic obstacles were eliminated, and his wisdom manifested to turn him into an arhat. When we want to do missionary work to someone, we also have to use the right means, or it may just become counterproductive.
就當中每一個都是一種善巧方便，希望眾生最終成佛。像佛陀的弟子槃陀伽, 他是個很遲鈍的人，記性特別差，學四句偈子三個月都不會，連他哥哥都勸他回家，但佛陀就吩咐他掃地，並反覆念著「除垢」兩個字，很快他的業障消除，智慧得以顯現，最後證得阿羅漢果。我們度人也得用對方法，否則可能會得到反效果。
By Bhiksu Hong Tian, Tiankai Temple