廣弘明集 11.45

11.45

對曰。夫形迹易察而真偽難明。自非久處。未可知矣。昔遠法師答桓玄書云。經教所述凡有三科。一者禪思入微。二者諷味遺典。三者興建福業。然有興福之人。不存禁戒。而迹非阿練者。或有多誦經文諷詠不絕。而不能暢說義理者。或有年已宿長。雖無三科可紀。而體性貞正。不犯大非者。以此挍量。取捨難辯。案出家功德經云。度一人出家。勝起寶塔至于梵天。何者人能弘道自利利他。潔己立身津梁七世。請有罪者依法苦治。無過者為國行道。

It is answered: External traces are easy to inspect, but true and false are difficult to discern. Unless one has associated with them long, it cannot yet be known. Formerly, Master [Hui]yuan's letter answering Huan Xuan stated: 'What is described in the scriptures and teachings generally has three categories: the first is subtle entry through dhyāna-contemplation; the second is chanting and savoring the bequeathed scriptures; the third is establishing works of merit. Yet there are persons who establish merit but do not preserve the prohibitions and precepts, and whose traces are not those of an āraṇyaka; there are those who can recite numerous scripture texts, chanting without end, yet cannot fluently expound the doctrine; and there are those advanced in years who, though having none of the three categories to record, are upright and steadfast in nature and do not commit major transgressions. Appraising them by these standards, choosing and rejecting is hard to distinguish.' According to the Scripture on the Merit of Leaving Home: 'Ordaining one person to leave home surpasses erecting a jeweled stūpa reaching up to the Brahmā heaven.' Why? A person can propagate the Way, benefiting oneself and benefiting others; purifying oneself and establishing oneself, one bridges seven generations. We request that those who are guilty be severely penalized according to law, while those who are faultless practice the Way for the state.