緇門警訓 3.22

3.22

The Xingzong says: Within the chiliocosm, the Buddha is the Dharmarāja. The Vinaya is the Buddha's edict, instituted solely by the Sage. Those in the subordinate ranks below can only rely on and follow it. This is truly because the Tathāgata's practice and fruition are supremely complete, fully fathoming the light and heavy karmic natures of sentient beings. Those at equal awakening and below are still not capable of it; how could other lesser sages dare to presume to deliberate on it? It is like a state's rewards, punishments, orders, and decrees, which must issue from the king. If ministers usurp them, the common people lose trust, and ruin and defeat are imminent. The Buddhadharma is also like this: if others were permitted to speak, living beings would not follow it, and the Dharma would not abide long.