禪林寶訓 1.39

1.39

Patriarch Yan said to Fojian: "As for the essentials of an abbot, in overseeing the assembly, value lies in magnanimity; in conducting oneself, one must strive for simplicity. As for all other petty matters, none should concern the mind. In employing people, deeply show sincerity; in choosing words, take care that they carry weight. When words carry weight, the master naturally commands respect; when one treats people with sincerity, the minds of the assembly are naturally moved. When one is respected, people submit without severity; when people are moved, things are accomplished without issuing orders. Naturally, the worthy and the foolish each express their sentiments, and the minor and the great alike exert their strength. Compared to those who maintain control through power and coerce people with shouting and commands so that they comply only out of necessity, how could it not be ten thousand times better?" (From A Letter to Fojian, seen in Attendant Chan's Daily Record).