弘明集 1.14

1.14

The question was asked: "The Classic of Filial Piety says: 'Our body, hair, and skin are received from our parents; we dare not damage them.' When Zengzi was on the verge of death, he said: 'Uncover my hands, uncover my feet.' Now the śramaṇas shave their heads; how exceedingly they violate the words of the sages and fail to accord with the way of a filial son! You always love to discuss right and wrong and weigh the crooked and the straight; why instead do you approve of them?" Mouzi said: "Slandering sages and worthies is unbenevolent; judging without hitting the mark is unwise. Without benevolence and wisdom, how can virtue be established? If virtue is not established, one belongs to the company of the obstinate and obtuse. How could such discussion be easy? Long ago, a man of Qi took a boat to cross the river, and his father fell into the water. His son rolled up his sleeves, seized his father's head, and turned him upside down so that the water came out of his mouth, and his father's life was revived. Seizing the head and turning someone upside down—there is no greater unfilial act than this; yet it preserved the father's person. Had he folded his hands and observed the normal rules of a filial son, his father's life would have ended in the water. Confucius said: 'One may advance toward the Dao with someone, yet not be able to weigh circumstances with him'—this refers to acting as the occasion requires. Furthermore, the Classic of Filial Piety says: 'The former kings possessed supreme virtue and the essential Dao.' Yet Taibo cut his hair and tattooed his body, following of his own accord the customs of Wu and Yue, violating the principle of 'body, hair, and skin.' Nevertheless, Confucius praised him, saying he could be termed of 'supreme virtue.' Zhongni did not condemn him because he cut his hair. Looking at it from this perspective, if one possesses great virtue, one is not restricted by small matters. The śramaṇa abandons family wealth, leaves wife and children, and does not listen to music or look at beauties; this can be called the utmost in yielding. How does this violate the sages' words or fail to accord with filial piety? Yu Rang swallowed charcoal and lacquered his body; Nie Zheng flayed his face and mutilated himself; Boji stepped into fire; Gaoxing disfigured her features. Gentlemen regard them as brave in dying for righteousness, and have never heard that they were criticized for harming and destroying themselves. How far beyond the four is the śramaṇa who shaves his beard and hair!"