禪林寶訓 4.14

4.14

Yuetang stayed at Jingci for the longest time. Someone said, "The Master has practiced the Way for years, yet we have not heard of him having disciples under his gate. Does this not let down Miaozhan?" Yuetang did not reply. Another day, the person spoke of it again. Yuetang said: "Have you not heard? In the past, there was a man who grew melons and loved them dearly. In the height of summer, right at midday, he watered them; before he could even turn on his heel, the melons rotted and failed. Why was this? His love for them was by no means unflagging, but he watered them out of season, precisely causing them to fail. When senior elders of various quarters promote patch-robed monks, they do not observe whether their practice of the Way is filled within, or whether their talents and capacities are grand and far-reaching. They only desire to make them into men quickly. When one investigates their the Way and virtue, they are licentious and defiled; when one examines their words and deeds, they are perverse; when one deems them just and upright, they turn out to be crooked and flattering. Is this not loving them beyond measure? This is just like watering melons at midday. I deeply fear the mockery of those with discernment, and therefore I do not do it." (Beishan jiwen)