在佛教里讲“返本还原”，意思也就是我们本来是什么样子，就回到什么样子。那么本来是什么样子呢？什么也没有！所以现在还是回到什么也没有的地方。

In Buddhism we talk about returning to the origin. We want to return to the way we were originally. What were things like originally? There was nothing at all! Now we want to go back to that state of nothingness.

有一点执著，就有障碍；有障碍，就不能出离三界。所以一定要破一切执著，到什么都没有了，那时就恢复本来面目了。

If we have even a particle of attachment, we have obstructions. With obstructions, we are not able to escape the Triple Realm. Therefore, it's necessary to break through all attachments. When we reach the point of having no attachments, we regain our true being.

我们现在想要有什么，就偏偏没有什么；等到我们什么也不要了，却什么都有了。智慧也现前，神通也现前，妙用也现前了。为什么没有智慧、神通？就因为尽到各处去捡粪。钻石、黄金你不要，本有贵重的东西你都不要，把它糟蹋了，反而到各处去捡粪，自己还以为很聪明呢！实在是愚痴得不得了！

Right now, we want there to be something, but there's nothing. When we reach the point of not wanting anything, everything will be ours. Our wisdom will appear, our spiritual powers will become evident and their wonderful function will be obvious. Why don't you have wisdom and spiritual powers right now? It is because you keep going around collecting dung. You don't want gold or diamonds; you don't want your inherent treasures either. You've thrown those away, and instead go around collecting dung, thinking you're being really clever! In fact, you're being as foolish as can be!

一九七七年三月十日