為すべきことが思い当たるのは仏道修行者の証
Being able to see the next step is the hallmark of a true Buddhist practitioner
2026-05-13
On this single path that aims at Nirvāṇa, there exists no fixed method of practice whatsoever.
For this reason, some may feel at a loss as to what they should take as their practice.
Even so, a devoted practitioner will, as needed, be able to discern what ought to be done.
Conversely, this means that if a practitioner of the Buddhist path firmly carries out, as appropriate, what comes to mind as needing to be done, then that itself will indeed constitute Buddhist practice.
Of course, even if one aspires to the deathless Nirvāṇa, if there is anything improper in one’s attitude or mental disposition, such activity will not qualify as Buddhist practice; as a result, one will instead proceed toward an unfortunate realm one had never anticipated.
Despite this risk, a practitioner must walk the path by trusting none other than themselves.
For this reason, the following principle may be found in the Shakyamuni Buddha’s early scriptures.
'Standing to one side, that deity recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed Teacher: “Not having fully understood the truth, people are led astray into other doctrines; they are asleep and not awake. Now is the time to awaken them.” The Blessed One said: “Those who have fully understood the truth and are not led astray into other doctrines—these are the ones who rightly awaken, rightly know, and walk evenly along a difficult path that is not level.”' (Saṃyutta Nikāya I, translated by Hajime Nakamura, Iwanami-Bunko)
Here, the phrase “to walk evenly along a difficult path that is not level” indicates the process by which a practitioner correctly discerns what they themselves ought to do, carries it out, and thereby proceeds straight toward Nirvāṇa.
And it is precisely for this reason that it is said: “Be among those who have fully understood the truth and are not led astray into other doctrines.”
In other words, the good person is led to good deeds, the bad person to bad deeds, and the practitioner of the Buddhist path is led to what ought to be done.
***
