萬善同歸集 3.41

3.41

答：「老子則絕聖棄智，抱一守雌，以清虛憺泊為主，務善嫉惡為教；報應在一生之內，保持惟一身之命。此並寰中之近唱，非象外之遐談；義乖兼濟之道，而無惠利也。仲尼則行忠立孝，闡德垂仁，惟敷世善，未能忘言神解，故非大覺也。是以仲尼答季路曰：『生與人事，汝尚未知。死與鬼神，余焉能事？』此上二教，並未逾俗柱，猶局塵籠，豈能洞法界之玄宗，運無邊之妙行乎？」

Answer: "Laozi discarded sagehood and abandoned wisdom, embraced the One and preserved the feminine, taking pure emptiness and tranquil placidity as primary, and taking the pursuit of good and hatred of evil as teaching; retribution was confined within a single lifetime, and preservation concerned only the life of a single body. These are both mundane calls within the realm, not transcendent discourses beyond forms; in meaning they run counter to the path of universal salvation, and lack beneficial utility. Zhongni practiced loyalty and established filial piety, expounded virtue and bequeathed benevolence, merely unfolding worldly goodness, unable to forget words in spiritual comprehension; therefore he was not a Great Awakened One. Hence Zhongni replied to Ji Lu, saying: 'When you do not yet understand life and human affairs, how could I serve death and spirits?' These two teachings above have not yet surpassed the secular pillars and are still confined within the cage of dust. How could they penetrate the profound principle of the dharmadhātu, or activate boundless wondrous practices?"