禪林寶訓 3.11

3.11

Xuetang said: "When students do not know the direction of the Way, they seek out masters and friends to investigate and query it. A kalyāṇamitra cannot transform others by the Way alone, and therefore relies on students to assist and support them. For this reason, when there is a master of the Way and virtue presiding over a cāturdiśa, patch-robed monks of worthiness and wisdom are essential to bring the Dharma community to completion. This is like the tiger roaring and the wind blowing fiercely, or the dragon soaring and clouds gathering. Formerly, Mazu of Jiangxi manifested his great dynamic functioning on account of Baizhang and Nanquan; Shitou of Nanyue displayed his great wisdom and ability having obtained Yaoshan and Tianhuang. Therefore, meeting once in a thousand years, their discussions were without doubt—taking flight like a downy feather meeting the wind, or surging forth like a great fish released into a deep gorge; all was the momentum of nature. Consequently, they established monastic groves, achieved meritorious deeds, and enhanced the brilliance of the buddhas and patriarchs. When my late teacher resided at Longmen, he said to me one evening: 'Lacking virtue and accomplishment, I cannot cause patch-robed monks from the lakes and seas to return in vast numbers; in the end, I am ashamed before old Dongshan.' Having finished speaking, his tears flowed. I have often reflected on this: those who serve as teachers of others today are ten-thousandfold distant from the ancients."