禪林寶訓 1.35

1.35

Patriarch Yan said: "The great authority of an abbot lies in benevolence and virtue. Both must be practiced together; neither can be discarded. If there is benevolence without virtue, people will not respect him; if there is virtue without benevolence, people will not cherish him. If he knows that benevolence can be cherished and adds virtue to aid it, then the benevolence he extends will be just enough to pacify superiors and subordinates and attract visitors from all four quarters. If he knows that virtue is worthy of respect and adds benevolence to support it, then the virtue he upholds will be just enough to succeed the earlier awakened ones and guide the foolish and deluded. Therefore, one who is skilled as an abbot cultivates virtue to practice benevolence, and proclaims benevolence to uphold virtue. When virtue can be cultivated, he does not yield; when benevolence can be practiced, there is grace. Thus virtue and benevolence nurture each other, and benevolence and virtue operate reciprocally. In this way, virtue need not be deliberately cultivated, yet his respect matches that of the buddhas and patriarchs; benevolence entails no laborious expense, yet he is cherished like a father and mother. Under such circumstances, among those from lakes and seas who have their will set on the Way, who would not come and take refuge? If an abbot intends to transmit the Way and virtue and promote teaching and transformation, without understanding this essential, he will never achieve it." (From A Letter to Foyan).