弘明集 5.15

5.15

夫形神混會雖與生俱存。至於麁妙分源則有無區異。何以言之。夫形也五藏六府四支七竅相與為一。故所以為生當其受生則五常殊授。是以支體偏病耳目互缺。無奪其為生。一形之內其猶如茲。況神體靈照妙統眾形。形與氣息俱運。神與妙覺同流。雖動靜相資而精麁異源。豈非各有其本相因為用者耶。近取諸身即明其理。庶可悟矣。一體所資肌骨則痛癢所知。爪髮則知之所絕。其何故哉。豈非肌骨所以為生爪髮非生之本耶。生在本則知存。生在末則知滅。一形之用猶以本末為興廢。況神為生本其源至妙。豈得與七尺同枯戶牖俱盡者哉。推此理也。則神之不滅。居可知矣。

Corporeal form and spirit are blended together; although they exist together with life, when coarse and subtle diverge at their origins, being and non-being are distinct. Why do I say this? The corporeal form consists of the five viscera, six bowels, four limbs, and seven apertures united into one; this is how it forms life. When receiving life, the five constants are diversely bestowed. Therefore, if a limb is partially diseased or ears and eyes are mutually deficient, this does not strip away its being alive. Within a single corporeal form, it is already like this; how much more so for the essence of the spirit, whose luminous illumination marvelously governs the multitude of corporeal forms! Corporeal form operates together with breath; spirit flows in unison with subtle awakening. Although motion and rest assist one another, fine and coarse diverge at their origins. How could it be that each does not have its own root, mutually depending on each other for their function? Drawing an example from the body close at hand clarifies this principle, and one may perhaps awaken to it. In what a single body relies upon, the flesh and bones are where pain and itch are perceived, whereas nails and hair are where perception ceases. What is the reason for this? Is it not that flesh and bones are that by which life exists, while nails and hair are not the root of life? When life resides in the root, perception endures; when life resides in the branches, perception ceases. If the function of a single corporeal form still prospers or decays depending on the root and branches, how much more so when spirit is the root of life and its source is supremely subtle! How could it wither together with the seven-foot body and be exhausted alongside its doors and windows? Inferring from this principle, the indestructibility of the spirit can be known right where we sit.