續高僧傳 4.7.5

4.7.5

Moistening the dry flames of the burning house, together they pull beings out of the path of delusion; illuminating the dark waves of the river of desire, together they reach the other shore. Thus we know that evil falls due to karma, while good ascends by condition; the cause of ascending or falling depends solely on what man relies upon. For instance, when cinnamon grows on a high ridge, only then can the clouds and dew moisten its blossoms; when the lotus emerges from clear waves, flying dust cannot soil its leaves. It is not that the lotus's nature is intrinsically pure and the cinnamon's substance is originally steadfast; it is truly because when that to which one attaches is high, petty things cannot encumber it, and when that upon which one relies is pure, turbid kinds cannot contaminate it. Now, if insensate plants and trees still depend on goodness to achieve goodness, how much more so should conscious human beings not rely on felicitous conditions to seek felicities? We now hope that the dissemination of these scriptures will be endless like the sun and moon, and this blessing broadly extended will be eternally vast alongside Heaven and Earth.' The civil and military officials offered congratulations, and Xuanzang submitted a memorial expressing gratitude, saying: