緇門警訓 1.59

1.59

Those who gave me birth are my father and mother; those who bring me to completion are my friends. Therefore, the gentleman discusses and practices with friends; he gathers friends through culture and assists benevolence through friends. They evaluate figures and deliberate over agreements and differences, as if cutting, filing, chiseling, and polishing. Liu Xiaobiao said: "Interweaving benevolence and righteousness, polishing morality; rejoicing in their happiness, sympathizing with their decline; conveying understanding beneath the spiritual terrace, leaving traces upon the rivers and lakes. When wind and rain are fierce, their voices do not cease; when snow and frost fall, their colors do not fade. Such is the sincere friendship of the worthy and eminent, met once across myriad ages." In the Eastern Jin, before Dao'an was fully ordained, he met the śrāmaṇera Sengguang at an inn. He expressed his aspirations and his spirit was fervent. Upon parting, they said to each other: "If we both grow up, do not forget to travel together." Later, Guang's learning extended through the sūtras and treatises, and he retired to Mount Feilong. Dao'an later followed him and they met with delight, saying their former vow was now being fulfilled. Thereupon they read texts together and applied their thoughts; their new awakenings were especially numerous. Dao'an said: "The matching of concepts (geyi) by our predecessors mostly runs contrary to principle." Guang said: "For now, we should analyze and wander at ease; how can we permit criticizing our predecessors?" Dao'an said: "In promoting and clarifying the doctrinal principles, one should strive to make them completely accurate. When the Dharma drums beat in competition, what does it matter who came earlier or later?" At that time, the monk Daohu was also living in seclusion on Mount Feilong. They spoke together, saying: "Dwelling in tranquility away from the mundane, we always wish to assist our minds in the great Dharma. How could we walk the mountain gates alone and cause the wheel of the Dharma to halt its axle? We should each reach out according to our capacity to repay the Buddha's kindness." Everyone agreed, saying: "Excellent!" and thereupon they each went forth to convert others.