鐔津文集 3.20

3.20

孝出於善。而人皆有善心。不以佛道廣之。則為善不大而為孝小也。佛之為道也。視人之親猶己之親也。衛物之生猶己之生也。故其為善則昆蟲悉懷。為孝則鬼神皆勸。資其孝而處世。則與世和平而亡忿爭也。資其善而出世。則與世大慈而勸其世也。是故君子之務道不可不辨也。君子之務善不可無品也。中庸曰。苟不至德至道不凝焉。如此之謂也。

Filial piety stems from goodness, and all people possess a good heart. If one does not broaden it with the Buddha's Way, then the goodness will not be great and the filial piety will be small. As for the Buddha's Way: it regards the parents of others as one's own parents, and guards the lives of other creatures as one's own life. Therefore, when he practices goodness, even wriggling insects are embraced; when he practices filial piety, all ghosts and spirits are encouraged. If one draws upon this filial piety to dwell in the world, one will be peaceful with the world and free of anger and contention. If one draws upon this goodness to transcend the world, one will extend great compassion to the world and encourage the world. Therefore, in pursuing the Way, a noble person must make clear distinctions; in pursuing goodness, a noble person cannot be without gradation. The Doctrine of the Mean says: 'If there is not supreme virtue, the supreme Way will not crystallize.' This is what it means.