緇門警訓 1.45

1.45

The Shuowen says: ''Self' (wo) is what one applies to one's own body to refer to oneself.' The Avataṃsaka Sūtra says: 'Ignorant ordinary people cling to a self.' The Lotus Sūtra says: 'Arrogant, they boast of their elevation; their minds crooked and deceitful, they are not truthful.' Because of clinging to the view of self, they are arrogant and conceited without shame; lacking wisdom, they falsely consider themselves great. Seeing good, they do not follow it; they receive no instruction. Not drawing close to the worthy, they are very far from the Way. One who wishes to seek the Dharma should subdue the mind of self, maintain respectful silence to reflect upon the Way, bend one's knees, and practice humble courtesy, so as to serve elders with reverence, honor teachers, and value the Way, seeing worthiness and thinking to equal it. When Kumārajīva first studied the lesser teachings, he made prostrations to Bandhudatta; this is the inferior revering the superior, called 'revering the worthy.' In his later years, Bandhudatta sought the Great Dharma and in turn bowed to Kumārajīva; this is the superior revering the inferior, called 'honoring the worthy.' Thus the Book of Changes says: 'Humility is the handle of virtue.' The Book of Documents says: 'Only do not be conceited'—to consider oneself worthy is called conceit—'and none under heaven will contend with your ability; only do not boast, and none under heaven will contend with your merit.' Master Yan said: 'The higher the rank, the lowlier the intent; the greater the office, the humbler the mind; the richer the emoluments, the broader the giving.' Zixia said: 'Respectful without lapse, courteous and possessed of propriety, all within the four seas are brothers.'