禪林寶訓 4.11

4.11

Shui'an said: 'In moving people with words, the essential point is to be profound and incisive. If words are not profound and incisive, what they evoke must be shallow; who would be willing to hold them to heart? In the past, when Ancestor Baiyun saw my teacher-grandfather off to reside at Simian, he admonished him repeatedly: "The ancestral Way is declining, precarious as a stack of eggs. Do not indulge in dissipation, wasting time in vain and bringing ruin to supreme virtue. You should broaden your tolerance and measure, benefiting beings and preserving the community; uphold this great matter to repay the debt to the buddhas and patriarchs." At that time, who among the listeners was not deeply moved to tears? Yesterday, when you were summoned to audience in the imperial court, it was truly a blessing for the Dharma gate. You must humble yourself and revere the Way, taking benefit and relief as your intention. You must not boast of yourself or sing your own praises. Ancient sages of the past were modest, gentle, respectful, and cautious, preserving their persons and keeping their virtue whole; they did not consider power and status as an honour, and thus were able to shake their era with purity and let their excellence flow through myriad generations. I worry my remaining time is short and we may not meet face to face again, which is why I earnestly enjoin this upon you.' (Letter to Touzi)