禪林寶訓 2.26

2.26

Duke Wenzheng said to Langye, "Last year when I arrived here, I hoped to find someone from the monastic groves with whom I could speak. I once asked a clerk, 'Are there good monks in the various mountains?' The clerk cited two monks, Ruiguang and Ximao of the Northern Temple, as excellent. I said, 'Apart from these, are there no others among the various Chan and Vinaya temples?' The clerk replied to me, 'Confucians honor the conduct of scholars; monks are judged by their virtuous deeds. As for these two, Ximao and Ruiguang, for thirty years their steps have not crossed the threshold, their clothing has been only coarse plain cloth, and they have had no attachment whatsoever to fame or gain. Therefore, the people of the prefecture esteem their conduct and revere them as teachers. As for those who ascend the seat to preach the Dharma, proclaim the transformation on behalf of the Buddha, possess unhindered responsive eloquence, and are called kalyāṇamitras, that is not something an obstinate clerk can understand.' When I had leisure, I visited the two worthies, Ximao and Ruiguang, and observed that their customary conduct was just as the clerk had said. Upon reflection, I thought: Suzhou and Xiuzhou have long been said to have fine customs; now seeing that an old clerk can still distinguish the superiority and inferiority of a gentleman and a petty person, how much more so should those who possess discernment!" Langye said, "What the clerk said is truly an elevated discourse. Please record it to instruct those who have not heard it." (*Separate Record of Langye*)