廣弘明集 3.12

3.12

Now, the four elements and five aggregates dissect bodily existence. The six boats and three vehicles convey the multitude of living beings. The ten thousand practices return to emptiness, and the thousand gates lead to goodness. In eloquence and wisdom, how could [the Buddhist teaching] merely equal the broad learning of the seven classics and the hundred schools? Clearly, it is beyond the reach of Yao, Shun, the Duke of Zhou, Confucius, Laozi, and Zhuangzi. The inner and outer teachings were originally of one substance; in their graduated progression and ultimate reaches they differ, and their depths and shallows are not the same. The preliminary gate of the inner scriptures establishes the prohibitions of the five types, which tally with the five constants (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness) of the outer books: benevolence is the prohibition against killing; righteousness is the prohibition against stealing; propriety is the prohibition against sexual misconduct; wisdom is the prohibition against alcohol; trustworthiness is the prohibition against false speech. As for hunting, warfare, banqueting, and penal punishments, because of human nature they cannot be eradicated abruptly; limits were simply placed upon them to prevent excess and abuse. To turn to the Duke of Zhou and Confucius while turning one's back on the Śākya school—how deluded that is!