往生集 1.89

1.89

贊曰。燒身燒臂。大乘經中屢開。然此得忍大士所為。非初心境界也。求西方者。當學欽公之習禪禮佛。不必效其燃臂。若能用燃臂之精虔勇猛。以治其惡習則所燃亦多矣。古云。善學柳下惠。不其然歟。

The appraisal says: Burning the body and burning the arm are repeatedly permitted in the Mahāyāna sūtras; however, these are deeds of great beings who have attained forbearance, not the realm of the initial mind. Those who seek the Western Direction should emulate Master Qin’s practice of Chan and homage to the buddhas; they need not imitate his burning of an arm. If one can use the pure devotion and courageous vigor of burning an arm to subdue one’s evil habits, then what is burned will also be vast. The ancients said, “Be good at learning from Liuxia Hui.” Is this not indeed so?