廬山蓮宗寶鑑 6.6

6.6

For lay bodhisattvas and eminent practitioners of buddhānusmṛti, attending the vegetarian feasts of donors daily and sitting idly enjoying offerings from humans and gods is not the ordinary path; it is not as good as managing a livelihood. When one has the intention to cultivate, how could work and chores interfere? Whether sowing seeds in the fields, doing business in the marketplace, possessing abundant family wealth, or daily seeking a pint or a peck, one should consider that diligence brings no indolence and frugality yields surplus; using this to cultivate oneself makes one a true child of the Buddha. If one is extravagant and lazy, with one's livelihood bleak and destitute, then even though one wishes to cultivate, it cannot be achieved. Know with certainty that governing the world and supporting life both accord with the right Dharma; skills and crafts bring abundant benefit to all beings. If one wishes to cultivate the right cause of pure karma, one should use livelihood to support the path. Therefore, Old Huang of Tanzhou always cultivated while smithing iron; Layman Pang made a living supporting the path by selling bamboo baskets; Yu [Mi] painted images of Amitābha as his trade; and Dai Fo'an made matches to sustain his body. Truly, it may be said: 'A day without work is a day without food.'