禪林寶訓 1.73

1.73

英邵武謂真淨文和尚曰。物暴長者必夭折。功速成者必易壞。不推久長之計。而造卒成之功。皆非遠大之資。夫天地最靈。猶三載再閏。乃成其功備其化。況大道之妙。豈倉卒而能辦哉。要在積功累德。故曰欲速則不達細行則不失。美成在久遂有終身之謀。聖人云。信以守之。敏以行之。忠以成之。事雖大而必濟。昔喆侍者夜坐不睡。以圓木為枕。小睡則枕轉。覺而復起安坐如故率以為常。或謂用心太過。喆曰。我於般若緣分素薄。若不刻苦勵志。恐為妄習所牽。況夢幻不真。安得為久長計。予昔在湘西。目擊其操履如此。故叢林服其名。敬其德而稱之（靈源拾遺）。

Ying of Shaowu said to Master Zhenjing Wen: "Things that grow violently are sure to die young; achievements quickly accomplished are sure to be easily ruined. Not considering long-term plans while creating achievements in haste are both traits of those who lack far-reaching capacity. Now, Heaven and Earth are the most spiritual, yet only with two intercalary months in three years do they complete their achievements and fully provide their transformations. How much less can the marvel of the Great Way be managed in haste? The essential key lies in accumulating merit and gathering virtue. Therefore it is said: 'Wanting speed leads to failure; attention to fine conduct leads to no loss.' 'Fine completion lies in taking a long time,' so that there is a lifelong plan. The sages said: 'Preserve it with trustworthiness, practice it with quickness, and accomplish it with loyalty; though the matter be great, it will surely succeed.' Formerly, Attendant Zhe sat at night without sleeping, using a round piece of wood for a pillow; if he dozed off for a moment, the pillow would roll away, and upon waking he would rise again and sit peacefully as before, routinely taking this as normal. Someone said he was exerting his mind too much. Zhe said: 'My affinity with wisdom (prajñā) has always been shallow; if I do not endure hardships and encourage my will, I fear I will be dragged away by delusional habits. Moreover, dreams and illusions are not real; how could one make long-term plans with them?' Formerly when I was in Xiangxi, I saw with my own eyes that his conduct was like this. Therefore the monastic groves submitted to his fame, respected his virtue, and praised him." (Lingyuan shiyi)