緇門警訓 6.25

6.25

For this old monk, undergoing pravrajyā from youth was the correct cause. Square robes and a round shaved head were the correct cause. Mindful that birth and death were not yet clarified, parting the grasses to gaze at the wind and drawing close to true kalyāṇamitras was the correct cause. As for appearing in the world to lead the assembly, now over thirty years, never in the slightest hair have I enriched myself. In the duties of the abbot's quarters, never have I been slightly remiss. Day and night diligent and earnest, never have I dared to be lax. The thought of being mindful of the assembly has never been forgotten for an instant. The intention to protect and cherish the permanent property [of the monastery] has never dared to be selfish. Although my practice and understanding have not equalled the ancients, putting it into practice in accordance with my own strength, I also bear no shame. Grieving in heart that the wisdom-life of the Buddhas and patriarchs hangs in danger is more painful than cutting the flesh of my own body. Mindful to repay the deep kindness of the Buddhas and patriarchs, I have had no leisure to rest peacefully in sleeping or eating. Mindful of the patch-robed monks coming from all quarters whose mind-ground is not yet clear, it is no different from being suspended upside down. Although unable to match one ten-thousandth of the ancients, yet this mind does not deceive. You, sthavira, have attended me for three or four years, dignified and outstanding, bringing joy. At the end of last summer I appointed you as yuezhong; this was my understanding of you, sthavira. When I took leave of Zhongshan to stay at Zhaoting in Xuancheng, before long I went to Guangxiao in Gusu, only two months ago. You, sthavira, received the invitation from Fengshan, and your path led first through Gusu to come meet me; such was your not forgetting the righteousness of the Way. After parting, there was no news for a long time. Just as I was thinking of you, the superior Huaijing arrived, bearing your letter and tokens of trust. Only then did I learn that upon first entering the monastery and ascending the hall, you burned incense on my behalf; thus I know the brightness and vastness of your mind that does not turn its back. Now that you serve as eyes for humans and devas, it is different from earlier matters. If you can truly act as I have—undergoing pravrajyā as a monk from youth, undertaking itinerant pilgrimage to draw close to true kalyāṇamitras, up to appearing in the world as an abbot, conducting your practice and retirement with such correct causes—then I have not conferred this upon you in vain. Why then worry that the ancestral school will be desolate? With deepest wishes. Having nothing to express my trust, [I send] one fly-whisk and one dharma robe; please accept them. Shaoxing renwu [year], seventh month, seventh day. Written in reply by the old monk Tanhua of Ying'an, dwelling at Guangxiao in Pingjiang Prefecture. (Recorded Sayings).