禪林寶訓 4.34

4.34

Venerable Mi'an Jie said, "The flourishing and decline of the monastic grove lies in etiquette and rules; the beauty and ugliness of students lies in customary habits. If the ancients' dwelling in nests and caves, drinking from ravines, and eating from trees were practiced in present times, it would not do. If the present people's bountiful clothes and fine patterns, eating fine grain, and chewing fat were practiced in ancient times, it also would not do. How could there be any other reason? It is because of what is habitual and unhabitual. Now, what a person sees morning and evening is considered normal; they will certainly say that the affairs of the world ought to be just like this. If one day they are driven toward that and away from this, not only will they give rise to doubt and lack faith, but I fear they also will not comply. Viewed from this, human sentiments are at ease with what they are accustomed to and alarmed by what they have not seen; this is their common sentiment, so why should it be wondered at?" (Letter to Policy Reviewer Shi)