禪林寶訓 3.35

3.35

Shantang said: "Snakes and tigers are not the enemies of kites and hawks, yet why do kites and hawks shriek at them? It is because they have a divergent mind. Oxen and pigs are not the mounts of magpies, yet why do magpies alight and ride upon them? It is because they have no divergent mind. In the past, Zhaozhou visited a hermitage master just as he was putting out the meal for the beings. Zhou said, 'Why do the crows fly away when they see someone?' The hermitage master was baffled. He then took up the prior words and asked Zhaozhou. Zhaozhou replied, 'Because the intent to kill remains within me.' Therefore, he who suspects others will also be suspected by others; he who forgets things will also be forgotten by things. The ancients who made companions of snakes and tigers thoroughly penetrated this principle. Old Pang said, 'The iron ox is not afraid of the lion's roar; it is just like a wooden man looking at flowers and birds.' These words say it all." (Letter to Layman Zhou)