弘明集 11.16

11.16

Now, the differences among human minds are like those among their faces; how could they be uniform, and how could their wisdom be made equal? Observing the disparities among conditioned things, one can fully perceive how sentiments and souls diverge. One whose will is set cannot be fully described in words; one whose path has turned away cannot be overturned by persuasive discourse. I see that although your words were thorough and exhaustive in our meeting, you did not reach this point, truly because our views diverge. Fortunately, each may keep to his own direction; there is no need to fabricate right and wrong or cause slander and controversy to arise out of nowhere. Those who have settled their minds and entered into faith of old were indeed not without this intent. Nowadays, rejoicing in doing good, we curtail pride and arrogance to deal with others. If you, sir, have virtue surpassing the past sages, wisdom exceeding previous exemplars, intelligence transcending the multitude, and hold a position of supreme human nobility, then you may indeed wander beyond the world, transform things through the Dao, and hold noble aspirations in your heart; self-sufficient and without seeking, you might imitate those of old. But I fear you cannot maintain such an absolute gulf, vainly upholding two separate paths and singularly diverging from the superior Dharma. If we were merely casual acquaintances, these matters would never have been mentioned; it is because my regard for you is not slight that I reveal my inner thoughts. When we meet soon, I will elaborate further. Recently, I casually composed these two fascicles of 'Resolving Stagnations'; I presume you have already seen them outside. I now send them to show you. If you have already read them, please return them; do not tire your body and eyes. If perchance you have not seen them, you might glance through them once. I originally did not expect others to convert and be corrected; it was merely to resolve doubts and stagnations for myself. When you see it, you will surely clap your hands in amusement. Letter from Xiao Ziliang.