弘明集 1.49

1.49

問曰。神仙之術秋冬不食。或入室累旬而不出。可謂憺怕之至也。僕以為可尊而貴。殆佛道之不若乎。牟子曰。指南為北自謂不惑。以西為東自謂不矇。以鵄梟而笑鳳凰。執螻蚓而調龜龍。蟬之不食君子不貴。蛙蟒穴藏聖人不重。孔子曰。天地之性人為貴。不聞尊蟬蟒也。然世人固有啖菖蒲而棄桂薑。覆甘露而啜酢漿者矣。毫毛雖小視之可察。太山之大背之不見。志有留與不留。意有銳與不銳。魯尊季氏卑仲尼。吳賢宰嚭不肖子胥。子之所疑不亦宜乎。

The questioner asked: “The techniques of the immortals involve not eating during autumn and winter, or entering a chamber for successive periods of ten days without emerging. This can be called the utmost in tranquil detachment. I consider them worthy of veneration and honor; are they not superior to the Dao of the Buddha?” Mouzi said: “To point south and call it north while declaring oneself unconfused, or to take west for east while declaring oneself unblinded, is like an owl laughing at a phoenix, or holding a mole cricket and an earthworm to mock a tortoise and a dragon. A gentleman does not value a cicada for not eating; a sage does not esteem frogs and pythons for hiding in burrows. Confucius said: ‘Of all the natures produced by Heaven and Earth, man is the most noble.’ One does not hear of cicadas and pythons being venerated. Yet among worldly people, there are indeed those who eat calamus but discard cinnamon and ginger, or who spill sweet dew and sip sour vinegar. A fine down-feather, though small, can be seen when examined; Mount Tai, vast as it is, cannot be seen when one turns one's back to it. Intentions may linger or not; minds may be sharp or dull. Lu honored the Ji clan and disparaged Zhongni; Wu regarded Chancellor Pi as worthy and deemed Zixu unworthy. Is not your doubt entirely natural?”