六祖大師法寶壇經 1.16

1.16

Now as for the realized person, he originally arose from humble origins and said of himself that he did not recognize worldly characters. When his realization was accomplished, merely from a single seat of discourse, he manifested the Way and saved the world, in accord with the deeds of the Great Sage as closely as two halves of a tally. Was it that his profound virtue and superior wisdom were inborn, or that he wished to demonstrate his Dharma by feigning ignorance? Nearly four hundred years after his passing, his Dharma flows throughout the four seas without ceasing; emperors, kings, sages, and worthies across thirty generations have sought his Way with ever greater reverence. Had he not reached the state attained by the Great Sage, Heaven would have long since tired of him; how could it be like this? How could I ever fathom his Way? Yet fortunate as a mosquito or gnat sipping from the ocean, sharing in its taste, I dare to bow my head and publish it, so as to bequeath it to future students.