宗鏡錄 9.13

9.13

Answer: To refute seeking from another, it is said that one must realize it oneself; for those who cling to self-understanding, verification is obtained from another. When one directly awakens for oneself, both delusion and awakening are completely empty, and both self and other are cut off; it is not reached by limits and measurements, so how could verbal formulations define it? Therefore, the First Patriarch of Niutou said: "As for the Path, if one person attains it, the Path would not be all-pervasive; if many people attain it, the Path would have an end. If each individually possesses it, the Path would be countable; if all collectively possess it, skillful means would be empty. If it is attained through cultivation, contrived action is not real; if it is originally possessed naturally, the ten thousand practices are set up in vain. Why is this? Because it is free from all limits, measurements, and discriminations." Clearly know that speaking of self and speaking of other, or speaking of gain and speaking of loss, if viewed according to the holy teachings, are conventional words adapted to the world, skillful means for breaking attachments. If based on mental understanding, all are limited discriminations that do not escape the dust of feelings. Only by not clinging to teachings so as to indulge feelings will one see the nature and penetrate the Path.