傳法正宗記 3.22

3.22

評曰。正宗貴乎簡妙。而龍樹大士以廣論發之何哉。曰然簡妙常難其至之者。方其人機器有上下。此非以方便導之。則淺信者安得其進嚮。是故大士為論務發彼一機者也。涅槃豈不云乎。汝慎勿為利根之人廣說法語。鈍根之人略說法也。夫簡妙者。要在其心有所到耳。不必以其言不言為之當否。是故證之於簡妙也。彌說而彌至。不證於簡妙也。彌說而彌遠。

Appraisal: The orthodox lineage values brevity and subtlety, so why did the Great Being Nāgārjuna express it with extensive treatises? The answer is: indeed, brevity and subtlety are always difficult to attain. Since people's faculties and capacities vary in depth, if one does not guide them with expedient means, how could those of shallow faith advance toward it? Therefore, the Great Being composed treatises striving to stimulate each particular capacity. Does not the *Nirvāṇa-sūtra* say: "Take care not to speak Dharma words extensively for people of sharp faculties, nor speak Dharma briefly for people of dull faculties"? Now, what is brief and subtle essentially lies in the mind having reached it; one must not judge its appropriateness by whether words are used or not. Therefore, when one has verified brevity and subtlety, the more one speaks, the more one attains it; when one has not verified brevity and subtlety, the more one speaks, the farther away one gets.