禪林寶訓 3.30

3.30

Caotang said to Master Ru: "My late master Huitang said: 'In a great gathering of crowds, the worthy and the unworthy follow one another. Because the gate of teaching is vast, it does not allow for personal intimacy or distance within it. It depends solely on adding a bit of careful selection. If someone's talent and virtue meet the expectations of others, one must not distance them because of one's own anger. If someone's views are mediocre and loathed by the multitude, one must also not become intimate with them because of one's own fondness. In this way, the worthy will advance on their own, the unworthy will withdraw on their own, and the monastic grove will be at peace. If an abbot is fond of giving rein to his personal mind, relying solely on his own joy and anger to advance or demote people, then the worthy will keep silent, the unworthy will compete to advance, discipline will be thrown into disorder, and the monastic grove will be ruined. These two matters are truly the fundamental essence of being an abbot. If one can sincerely examine and put them into practice, then those nearby will be pleased and those far away will spread the word; what worry then that the Way will not be practiced, or that monks will not come in admiration?'" (Stone Inscription of Shushan)