南嶽總勝集 3.54

3.54

右此一段亦教門之盛事。故全錄之。大抵探幽賾隱。負步游方。尋師訪道。須誠心格志。柔外寬中者。凡所會遇。無不潛符。則知至道。果在我也。道果在我。升度南宮。不亦宜乎。故前所謂欲升南宮。先度朱陵。世諺云。不遊南岳。陰簿不削。信不誣矣。今則逮至我宋運值昌朝。異人高僧隱士接踵而棲者。亦不減於古矣。

The above passage is also a glorious event for the teaching, and so it is recorded in full. Generally speaking, to explore the abstruse and investigate the concealed, to shoulder one's pack and wander abroad, and to seek masters and inquire after the Dao, one must have a sincere heart and a refined will, being gentle on the outside and open-minded within. Whatever one encounters will secretly tally with truth; then one knows that the ultimate Dao truly rests within oneself. If the Dao truly rests within oneself, ascending to be delivered into the Southern Palace—is that not fitting? Therefore, as was said before: 'He who wishes to ascend to the Southern Palace must first be delivered through Zhuling.' The worldly proverb says: 'If you do not travel to Nanyue, your name in the dark register will not be expunged.' Truly this is not false! Now coming down to our Song dynasty, meeting a prosperous reign, extraordinary men, eminent monks, and recluses lodge here in continuous succession, in no way inferior to the ancients.