宗鏡錄 100.15

100.15

Answer: If I were to speak my own words, all would be at a total loss, finding nowhere to anchor. How could there even be a place to raise a question? Even the teachings of the patriarchs and Buddhas are all words spoken in accordance with the minds of others, accommodating the capacities of the time. Thus the World-Honoured One said: 'Regarding the Dharma expounded by the Buddhas of the three periods of time, in forty-nine years I have not added a single word.' Furthermore, a sūtra states: 'What preceding Buddhas have already spoken, subsequent Buddhas follow.' If one can comprehend in this way, one will know that the Buddha's words are one's own words, and one's own words are the Buddha's words. Therefore our Fundamental Teacher said: 'All the scriptures of non-Buddhists are the spoken word of the Buddha, not the spoken word of non-Buddhists.' He also said: 'The words of Śākyamuni Tathāgata and the words of Devadatta are without duality and without distinction.' If one has no faith and no clarity regarding this, it will entirely become dualistic views: one will constantly be entangled in thoughts distinguishing ordinary from sage, and forever produce feelings of accepting or rejecting self and other. To wish to inherit our source in this way is utterly impossible.