弘明集 6.24

6.24

The correction says: One who seeks what is prized in principle should first examine the origins of ritual and custom. Transmitting or altering [customs] across different paths depends solely on the times and circumstances. Therefore, the gentleman changes like a leopard, while the common people's patterns are reformed first. Zhuansun received instruction, yet set aside his [Lu] aspirations to learn from Yin. Now, in attaining virtue through the Shao and the Wu dances, the reigns through abdication and dynastic succession had different regulations. When later sages arise, how could they be restricted by barbarian or Chinese? How much less could following the ultimate teaching necessarily be bound to national costume! Thus, by clinging to fixed local traditions, one becomes confused about what is profound and stumbles in one's actions. As water and land differ, reaching what is far requires appropriate means; how could the analogy of the boat and the cart not be nimble? But notching the boat and guarding the tree stump merely show a dual attachment to where one fixes one's gaze.