禪林寶訓 2.4

2.4

Zhantang said: 'The Way is the true expediency of past and present. Those who are skilled in propagating the Way make adaptation essential. Those who do not understand adaptation are constrained by texts, cling to teachings, become stuck in signs, and are bogged down by sentiments. These all stem from failing to master expedient adaptation. A monk asked Zhaozhou, "The ten thousand dharmas return to the one; where does the one return?" Zhaozhou said, "When I was in Qingzhou, I made a hemp robe weighing seven catties." Can one say that ancients who did not master expedient adaptation could respond in this manner? The sage said: "A secluded valley has no bias, yet the echo reaches it; the great bell upon its frame, whenever struck, never fails to respond." From this we know that the superior person of universal understanding will transcend the ordinary to accord with the Way, rather than rigidly clinging to one thing and failing to respond to changes.' (Letter to Li Shanglao).