釋門自鏡錄 2.99

2.99

The admonition of Tianru of the Yuan states: “In recent times there are those who have undertaken renunciation who, though they claim to have left secular life, do not eliminate their secular habits; though they all speak of transcending the dust, they do not sever their worldly entanglements. They are certainly ignorant of the scriptures and teachings, and neither do they understand investigating Chan. Their mind-monkeys run wildly about, and their mind-horses gallop out of control. Forming packs and gathering into crowds, they pass their days in boisterous clamor. Not only do they consume in vain the donations of the faithful, but they also bury their own spiritual nature. When their sight falls to the ground [at death], which way will their road lead? In broad daylight, they do not recognize their own fathers and mothers. Claiming realization when they have not realized, claiming attainment when they have not attained, in truth they have entered the empty gate to no purpose, living in vain and dying aimlessly. Ah, let me ask you: for what purpose did you leave home? Was it for the sake of food and clothing? Was it out of covetousness for wealth and honor? Was it to seek ease and pleasure? Your parents gave you up to renounce home in the hope that you would deliver your parents and repay the four obligations. Yet now, you do not even have anything to rely on yourself; how much less can you deliver others? The day will come when Old Man Yama settles accounts with you for your meal money—what will you use to pay it back? If you do not fall into hell or among the hungry ghosts, you will surely wear horns and don fur [as beasts]. Renunciation such as this is truly pitiable and painful! Kind sirs, while you are not yet old and not yet sick, quickly make your plan: firmly uphold the purificatory precepts, recite the Buddha’s name and chant the scriptures, pay homage and praise, make vows, and seek birth in the Pure Land. After you attain the vision of Amida, you will be able to deliver your parents, you will be able to repay the four obligations, you will be able to deliver all living beings, and you will be able to enjoy eternal bliss. Only renunciation such as this truly makes one a child of the Buddha” (Jingtu huowen).