禪林寶訓 1.49

1.49

Huitang said, ‘The essential of being an abbot is that one should adopt what is far-reaching and great, and overlook what is near and petty. When a matter is truly undecided, one should consult experienced and mature people. If one is still in doubt, one should further inquire of those with discerning vision. Even if there are shortcomings, they will not reach an extreme. If the leader loves to indulge personal desires and exclusively decides taking and giving on his own, once he falls prey to the plots of petty persons, upon whom will the blame fall? Thus it is said, ‘Deliberation rests with many, but decision rests with one.’ When deliberation rests with many, one can observe the extremes of benefit and harm; when decision rests with myself, one can settle the right and wrong of the monastic grove.’ (Letter to Caotang)