釋門歸敬儀 2.28

2.28

Ninth, explaining single-mindedly joining the palms. In the Vinaya texts, it is sometimes said: "joining the ten finger-claws into palms to make offerings to the Lion of the Śākyas," and sometimes said: "clasping the hands to address the Buddha"; both mean carrying out the practice according to the circumstances at hand. None fail to restrain the mind and prevent it from running wild and scattering. However, the mental impulses are difficult to guard against; therefore, joining the palms is prescribed so that the mind becomes unified. Nowadays, practitioners cannot join their palms properly; evaluating the matter, their minds are hardened and distracted. If one wishes to return to the source and start anew, one must apply effort: one should spread the fingers and join the palms to cultivate good deeds; one must not join the fingers and open the palms to follow bad habits. Furthermore, planting both feet on the ground often violates ritual propriety: even secular respect is not established thereby, let alone practicing the Way! One must also make ten times the effort as mentioned before: one should draw the fingers together and separate the heels, as when paying respect according to secular ways; one must not draw the heels together and separate the toes, standing in the shape of the character *ba* (八), which makes ignorant people laugh. These words are harsh, yet these matters are practiced at present; ten thousand errors go unnoticed without any distortion or excess. When practitioners with a mind for the Dharma see this text and lay their hands on their chests to question their hearts, how excessively loose have they been? One should indeed adjust and measure according to the above, gradually practicing in accordance with it; only when the mind-nature is tempered and gentle can one discuss the Way. The Way lies in pure penetration, without attachment and without self. How can one harbor attachments and instead establish the root of arrogance? To spend one's days living like this is deeply contrary to that upon which life depends; pointing out each point plainly, it may perhaps be worth observing.