釋氏稽古略 2.262

2.262

Shi Wangming: Emperor Wu of the Zhou decreed Wangming (pronounced *wu*) to be the tripiṭaka master of Xia Prefecture, and soon wished to grant him official rank. In the fifth month of the second year of Tianhe, Prime Minister Yuwen Hu wrote a letter encouraging him. Ming replied that withdrawing his traces into the cliffs and gathering his mind beyond the dust was his original intent. He subsequently composed the "Admonition of the Golden Man" (Jinren zhen) and the "Inscription on Quieting the Mind" (Xixin ming). Its text stated: "In the Dharma realm there is a wish-fulfilling jewel man. He silences his body and inscribes his breast." (Its words briefly stated:) "Much knowledge and many affairs are not as good as putting thoughts to rest; much worry and many losses are not as good as guarding oneness. When worries are many, the intention scatters; when knowledge is much, the mind is confused. A confused mind gives rise to vexations; a scattered intention obstructs the Way. The talents and arts of the worthy and brilliant are indeed foolishness and defects. A single skill or ability is like a solitary lamp beneath the sun; a single ability or skill is like a gnat in the sky" (Xu gaoseng zhuan).