弘明集 8.81

8.81

釋曰。髮膚之解具於前答。聊更略而陳之。凡言不敢毀傷者。正是防其非僻觸冒憲司。五刑所加致有殘缺耳。今沙門者服膺聖師。遠求十地。剃除鬚髮被服法衣。立身不乖揚名得道。還度天屬。有何不可而入毀傷之義。守文之徒未達文外之旨耳。輪扁尚不移術於其兒。予何言哉。

The response says: The explanation regarding hair and skin was fully set forth in the previous reply, but I shall briefly state it once more. Generally speaking, the phrase "not daring to injure [the body]" was meant precisely to prevent wrongdoing and transgression against the legal authorities, which would invite the application of the five punishments and result in mutilation. Now, śramaṇas venerate the sagely master and seek the ten stages from afar; they shave off their beard and hair and don the Dharma robes. In establishing themselves they do not transgress; they spread their fame and attain the Dao, returning to deliver their natural kin. What is improper in this that it should fall under the sense of "injuring [the body]"? Those who cling to the letter merely fail to grasp the import beyond the words. If even Wheelwright Bian could not transmit his art to his son, what can I say?