禪林寶訓 2.52

2.52

Foyan said to Gao'an: "The pure regulations of Baizhang generally set forth the upright and restrain the depraved, regulate affairs, and align the assembly; they were established in accordance with the times to control the passions of later people. Now, human passion is like water: monastic regulations and the rites and laws are the embankments. If the embankments are not solid, it will inevitably lead to bursting floods; if human passions are not curbed, they will run rampant in disorder. Therefore, to cast out passion, cease delusion, prohibit evil, and stop depravity, one must not abandon monastic regulations for a single moment. Yet, how could monastic regulations, rites, and laws completely guard against human passion? They are merely steps and stairs to assist entry into the Way. The establishment of monastic regulations is as bright as the sun and the moon: those who look up to them will not go astray; it is as broad as the great highway: those who travel it will not be confused. Although the establishments of ancient sages differ, their return to the source is not different. In the monastic groves of recent generations, there are those who are painfully enslaved by the monastic regulations, those who cling rigidly to the monastic regulations, and those who despise the monastic regulations. These all come about because people turn their backs on the Way, lose principle, indulge passion, and pursue evil. They never reflect that the ancient sages rescued the abuses of the semblance age, prohibited negligent passions, blocked the origins of cravings and desires, and severed depraved paths—which was precisely the reason for establishing them." (Donghu Ji)