樂邦遺稿 2.23

2.23

Gushan's Xianju bian says: "Branches must have roots, and streams must have sources. Birth is truly the root and source of death. Once there is birth, how could there not be death? Therefore the Great Sūtra says: 'Merit and Darkness are sisters that follow each other. A wise master accepts neither.' This means not accepting birth, and thus there is no death. As for the heavenly principle, it is quiescent, without the slightest omen of arising and ceasing; when deluded feelings churn in confusion, the traces of coming and going are then seen. For instance, when looking at a clear and bright sky with pure eyes, there are no blemishes or cataracts at all. If one stares hard and tires one's vision, wild flowers arise in confusion. Since the flowers arise, they also cease. The foolish love the flowers' arising and loathe the flowers' ceasing, without knowing that the flowers are fundamentally non-existent. Therefore the Śūraṅgama says: 'All sentient beings, because they do not know the constantly abiding true mind and the pure and bright substance of the nature, employ various false thoughts. Because these thoughts are not real, there is transmigration.'"