傳法正宗記 8.114

8.114

評曰。正宗至大鑒傳既廣。而學者遂各務其師之說。天下於是異焉。競自為家。故有溈仰云者。有曹洞云者。有臨濟云者。有雲門云者。有法眼云者。若此不可悉數。而雲門臨濟法眼三家之徒。於今尤盛。溈仰已熄。而曹洞者僅存。綿綿然猶大旱之引孤泉。然其盛衰者豈法有強弱也。蓋後世相承得人與不得人耳。書不云乎。苟非其人道不虛行。

An appraisal states: Once the orthodox lineage reached Dajian, its transmission became widespread, whereupon students each pursued the teachings of their own masters. Thereupon, [opinions] under heaven diverged, and they vied to establish their own traditions. Hence there were the so-called Guiyang, Caodong, Linji, Yunmen, and Fayan [houses]; [lineages] such as these cannot all be enumerated. Moreover, the followers of the three houses of Yunmen, Linji, and Fayan are especially flourishing today; Guiyang has already died out, and Caodong barely survives, lingering like an isolated spring drawn upon during a great drought. Yet as for their flourishing and decline, how could the Dharma possess strength and weakness? It is simply whether subsequent generations succeeded each other with the right persons or not. Does not the Classic say, "If it is not the right person, the Way does not act in vain"?