高僧傳 9.60

9.60

During the warfare and turmoil in Luoyang, he took his leave to return to Tianzhu. In Luoyang there was the śramaṇa Zhu Faxing, a monk of high standing whom contemporaries compared to Director Yue. He thereupon requested of Yu, saying: "Since the Superior One is a monk who has attained the Way, I pray that you leave behind one word to serve as an enduring admonition." Yu said: "Very well; let the assembly gather widely." When the assembly had gathered, Yu ascended the high seat and said: "Guarding the mouth and controlling the body and mind, / take care not to commit any evils. / Cultivate all good deeds; / in this way one crosses beyond the world." Having finished speaking, he remained silent in dhyāna. Xing requested again, saying: "We pray the Superior One will impart what has not yet been heard. As for the meaning of such a verse, even an eight-year-old boy can recite it by heart; it is not what was expected from one who has attained the Way." Yu smiled and said: "Though an eight-year-old may recite it, if a hundred-year-old does not practice it, what benefit is there in reciting it? Everyone knows to revere those who have attained the Way, yet none know to practice it so as to attain the Way themselves. How lamentable! Though my words are few, the benefit to one who practices them is vast." Thereupon he took his leave and departed.