宋高僧傳 8.15

8.15

系曰：修其教不易其俗，齊其政不易其宜者，貴其漸也。會師自南徂北，行曹溪之法，洛中彌盛，如能不自異，外護已成，則可矣。況乎旁無力輪，人之多僻，欲無放逐，其可得乎？或曰：「其過不多，何遽是乎？」通曰：「犯時之忌，罪不在大。失其所適，過不在深。後之觀此，急知時事歟？是以佛萬劫學化行者，知化行難耳。無令固己而損法，慎之哉！」

The appraisal states: To cultivate their teachings without altering their customs, and to regulate their administration without altering their suitability—this values gradual progress. Master Shenhui came from the south to the north and practiced the Dharma of Caoxi, flourishing all the more in Luoyang. If he could have avoided setting himself apart, external protection would already have been accomplished, and all would have been well. How much more so when there was no wheel of power at his side, and people were full of perversity—could one hope to avoid banishment? Some might ask, 'His fault was not great; why did this happen so suddenly?' Tong replies, 'Offending the taboos of the times does not require a great crime. Losing one's suitability does not require a deep fault. Those who look upon this in later times should swiftly understand the affairs of the times! For this reason, the Buddhas study preaching and transforming for myriad kalpas, knowing that preaching and transforming are difficult. Let not one's stubbornness damage the Dharma; be cautious of this!'