禪林寶訓 4.52

4.52

Venerable Xiatang Yuan said to Hu'an: 'Human capacity naturally has its greatness and smallness; it truly cannot be taught. Therefore, that which is small in paper cannot wrap that which is large, and a short rope cannot draw water from the depths. The horned owl at night can catch fleas and discern an autumn down-hair, but when it ventures out by day, though it glares with wide eyes it cannot see a hill or mountain. This is because their allotments are fixed. Formerly, Jing Nantang transmitted the Way of Dongshan; his discerning awakening was subtle and profound, deeply penetrating, and manifestly brilliant. Yet when it came to responding to the world as an abbot, wherever he went, things failed to flourish. When my late master Yuanwu returned to Shu, he accompanied Venerable Fan to visit him at Dasui. They saw that Jing was negligent, with all the various matters falling into disuse. The late master, in the end, asked nothing about it. When they reached midway on their return journey, Fan said: "Jing is your fellow seeker and companion in the Way; why did you not speak a single word to guide and instruct him?" The late master said: "In responding to the world and presiding over a community, laws and orders must be primary. The implementation of laws and orders depends on one's wisdom and ability. Ability and inability stem from one's native allotment; how could it be taught?" Fan nodded in assent.' (Recorded Hear-says of Huqiu).