宗鏡錄 100.75

100.75

答。若第一義中。無利無功德。就世俗門內。似有於稱揚。總有二途。能俾初學。一者為未信人。令成正信。攝歸一念。不外馳求。二者為已信人。助成觀力。理行堅固。疾證菩提。步步而不滯寶所功程。念念而流入薩婆若海。似乘廣大之輦。立至寶坊。如駕堅牢之船。坐登覺岸。

Answer: "In terms of the supreme meaning, there is no benefit and no merit. Approaching it within the conventional gate, there seems to be praise. In all, there are two paths that can aid beginners: First, for those who do not yet have faith, it causes them to achieve right faith, gathering them back to the single thought, no longer seeking externally. Second, for those who already have faith, it assists in perfecting the power of contemplation, making principle and practice steadfast, so that they swiftly realize bodhi. Step by step, they do not linger on the progress toward the jewel place; thought after thought, they flow into the ocean of sarvajñā. It is like riding a vast carriage, instantly arriving at the jewel city; like steering a sturdy boat, serenely ascending the shore of awakening."