禪林寶訓 1.40

1.40

Yanzu said to Guo Gongfu, “Human nature and feelings indeed have no permanent constancy; they shift with daily influence. From antiquity, although the flourish and decline of the Buddha-Dharma have their destined cycles, the principle behind flourishing and decay has never failed to be brought about by teaching and transforming. In the past, when the various patriarchs of Jiangxi and Nanyue benefited living beings, they fanned them with a pure and simple wind, regulated them with purity, cloaked them in the Way and virtue, and instructed them in propriety and righteousness. They caused students to rein in their seeing and hearing, block depravity and perversity, sever cravings and desires, and forget gain and support. Therefore, day by day, they moved toward goodness and distanced themselves from faults; their Way was fulfilled and their virtue complete without their being aware of it themselves. People of today fall far short of the ancients. If one is determined to investigate this Way, one must be firm of purpose, never alter it, and take awakening as the deadline. After that, one should entrust misfortunes, gains, and losses to the Creator, not seeking improper escape. How could one worry in advance about not succeeding and so not do it? The moment the slightest thread of anxious concern sprouts within the breast, not only will this life remain unsettled, but even for thousands of lives and myriads of kalpas, there will never come a time of accomplishment.” (Collected Works of Tanran'an)