禪林寶訓 2.31

2.31

Lingyuan said to Yuanwu, "Although a patch-robed monk may have the endowment to see the Way, if they do not store it deeply and nurture it richly, their deployment of it will surely be harsh and violent. Not only will it fail to benefit the teachings, it will also be feared to invite disaster and disgrace." Chan Master Yuanwu said, "Studying the Way lies in trustworthiness; establishing trustworthiness lies in sincerity. Preserve sincerity within, and thereafter you will cause the multitude to have no doubts. Preserve trustworthiness in yourself, and you can teach others to be without deception. Only with trustworthiness and sincerity will there be benefit and no loss. From this we know that if sincerity is not unified, the mind cannot be preserved; if trustworthiness is not unified, one's words cannot be put into practice. The ancients said, 'Food and clothing may be abandoned, but sincerity and trustworthiness cannot be lost.' Kalyāṇamitras especially should instruct people with sincerity and trustworthiness. Moreover, if the mind is not sincere and deeds are not trustworthy, can one be called a kalyāṇamitra? The *Changes* says: 'Only the utmost sincerity under Heaven can fully develop its nature; being able to fully develop its nature, it can fully develop the nature of others.' If one cannot fully develop it in oneself yet desires to fully develop it in others, the multitude will surely deceive and not follow. If one was not sincere before, yet claims to be sincere afterward, the multitude will surely doubt and not believe. It is said, 'Cutting the hair should reach the scalp; trimming the nails should cut into the flesh.' Truly, if sincerity is not consummate, things will not respond; if diminishing oneself is not consummate, benefit will not arrive. Indeed, it is clear that sincerity and trustworthiness cannot be parted from for an instant." (Letter to Censor Yu)