弘明集 12.70

12.70

答曰。敬尋來論。是不誣佛理也。但傲誕之迹有虧大化。誠如來誨。誠如來誨。意謂沙門之道。可得稱異而非傲誕。今若千載之末淳風轉薄。橫服之徒多非其人者。敢不懷愧。今但謂自理而默差可遺人而言道耳。前答云。不以人為輕重。微意在此矣。

I reply: Respectfully examining your argument, it does not slander the Buddha's principles. But that traces of arrogance and absurdity detract from the great transformation is truly as your instruction states, truly as your instruction states! In my view, the Dao of the monk may be called extraordinary, but not arrogant and absurd. Now, if at the end of a thousand years the pure customs become increasingly thin, and many among those wearing the robes across the shoulder are not the right men, how would I dare not feel ashamed? For now, I only mean that keeping silent on account of principle may allow one to overlook the men and discuss the Dao. My previous reply said: 'One does not deem it light or heavy on account of the person'; my subtle intention lay right here.