弘明集 1.49

1.49

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?”