弘明集 9.77

9.77

[Fan Zhen] replied: Buddhism harms government, and śramaṇas corrupt customs; like rising winds and spreading mists, their agitation never rests. I lament their abuses and wish to rescue those who are drowning. Now, what is the reason that people exhaust their wealth to give to monks and ruin their estates to rush after the Buddha, yet do not care for their relatives or pity the destitute? It truly stems from a deep self-interest and a shallow concern to aid living beings. Thus, when an infinitesimal amount touches an impoverished friend, stinginess appears in one's expression; but when thousands of bushels are cast before wealthy monks, joy and delight spread across one's face and hair. Is this not because monks promise an abundant harvest, while friends offer no return for leftover sheaves? Their pursuit of charity is not about relieving urgency; their establishment of merit must be for themselves. Deluded by murky sayings, they are frightened by the torments of Avīci; enticed by vacuous words, they rejoice in the bliss of Tuṣita. Therefore, they abandon scholar's robes and put on monk's robes; they discard sacrificial vessels and line up bowls and alms-jars. House after house abandons its loved ones; person after person terminates their lineage. This results in armies being depleted in the ranks, administrative offices standing empty of officials, grain being exhausted by idle wanderers, and goods being drained on earth and timber. The reason why treacherous villains are emboldened and praise is given to the powerful is solely due to this! This current does not cease; this disease is boundless. If one understands that fashioning and molding are endowed by nature, and that the myriad things are equally produced by spontaneous transformation—suddenly existing of themselves, indistinctly becoming nothing; not hindered when coming, not pursued when going—then riding upon the Heavenly Principle, each will rest content in its nature: commoners will take pleasure in their fields, and gentlemen will preserve their quiet simplicity. Plowing to eat, the food can never be exhausted; raising silkworms to weave, the clothing can never be used up. Those below have surplus to serve their superiors; those above practice non-action to govern their inferiors. One can preserve life, nourish parents, cultivate oneself, and help others; one can rectify the state and establish a hegemon-monarch through this Dao!