緇門警訓 2.69

2.69

Ah, you assembly of students, listen to my straightforward words! When parents give birth to one's body, by right one ought to serve and nourish them; when teachers grant ordination, in principle one should attend upon and support them. Yet you have parted far from your native villages and dwell in person within the lecture halls. You ought to draw near to the benevolent and select the good, establish your resolve and build your character; in discussion, do not waste an inch of time, and in keeping the precepts, do not forget them for a single step. If you give free rein to the wild horse of ignorance and let loose the wild ape of karmic consciousness, not turning toward good when seeing it and feeling no shame in doing evil, you may incur reprimand and punishment or be expelled and disciplined. How would this not bring burden upon your ancestors and relatives and bring shame upon your teachers? You would contaminate other pure assemblies and render the donors' intentions in vain; called a person without shame, you would encounter unfavorable results. Relying on the Vinaya examinations, I briefly set forth these articles and regulations; may future students abide by them together, so that the Dharma may endure for a long time.