禪林寶訓 2.52

2.52

佛眼謂高菴曰。百丈清規大概標正檢邪軌物齊眾。乃因時以制後人之情。夫人之情猶水也。規矩禮法為隄防。隄防不固必致奔突。人之情不制則肆亂。故去情息妄禁惡止邪。不可一時亡規矩。然則規矩禮法。豈能盡防人之情。茲亦助入道之階墀也。規矩之立昭然如日月。望之者不迷。擴乎如大道。行之者不惑。先聖建立雖殊歸源無異。近代叢林。有力役規矩者。有死守規矩者。有蔑視規矩者。斯皆背道失理縱情逐惡而致然。曾不念先聖救末法之弊。禁放逸之情。塞嗜慾之端。絕邪僻之路。故所以建立也（東湖集）。

Foyan said to Gao'an: "The pure regulations of Baizhang generally set forth the upright and restrain the depraved, regulate affairs, and align the assembly; they were established in accordance with the times to control the passions of later people. Now, human passion is like water: monastic regulations and the rites and laws are the embankments. If the embankments are not solid, it will inevitably lead to bursting floods; if human passions are not curbed, they will run rampant in disorder. Therefore, to cast out passion, cease delusion, prohibit evil, and stop depravity, one must not abandon monastic regulations for a single moment. Yet, how could monastic regulations, rites, and laws completely guard against human passion? They are merely steps and stairs to assist entry into the Way. The establishment of monastic regulations is as bright as the sun and the moon: those who look up to them will not go astray; it is as broad as the great highway: those who travel it will not be confused. Although the establishments of ancient sages differ, their return to the source is not different. In the monastic groves of recent generations, there are those who are painfully enslaved by the monastic regulations, those who cling rigidly to the monastic regulations, and those who despise the monastic regulations. These all come about because people turn their backs on the Way, lose principle, indulge passion, and pursue evil. They never reflect that the ancient sages rescued the abuses of the semblance age, prohibited negligent passions, blocked the origins of cravings and desires, and severed depraved paths—which was precisely the reason for establishing them." (Donghu Ji)