禪林寶訓 3.57

3.57

Zishao asked Miaoxi, “Nowadays, for an abbot, what comes first?” Miaoxi said, “Providing for the patch-robed monks is simply a matter of money and grain, nothing more.” Wan'an was present on the seat at the time and considered this not to be so: “Calculating the income of the permanent property of the saṃgha, if one is skilled at curbing superfluous expenses and uses them with principle, the money and grain will be innumerable. Why should they be a cause for concern? Rather, for an abbot nowadays, only obtaining patch-robed monks who embrace the Way comes first. Even if an abbot possesses wisdom and strategy and can store up ten years of provisions, if under his seat there are no patch-robed monks who embrace the Way, it is what the ancient sages called ‘sitting and consuming the offerings of the faithful, looking up with shame before dragons and devas.’ What help is that to being an abbot?” Zishao said, “What the head seat says is extremely apt.” Miaoxi turned and looked at Wan'an, saying, “If each and every one were like you!” Wan'an let the matter drop (all the above are seen in the Ke'an ji).