鐔津文集 19.24

19.24

Emperor Renzong's praise and reward, with an imperial decree ordering their entry into the Tripiṭaka and distribution throughout the realm. Thereupon the clouds of Māra cleared away and the Buddha sun shone brightly. After the Venerable Master established merit in the gate of teaching, his heroic fame and flourishing achievements splendidly adorned his companions, and anyone with a modicum of wisdom knew to revere and admire him. Yet in recent years, the Dharma has fallen into decline, and human capacities have become coarse and base. Taking advantage of the convenience of tonsure and dyeing robes, they vie to alter their appearance and attire, illicitly entering our house. Entangled with worldly dust, those who fraudulently mingle among the ranks of monks are everywhere; their views, knowledge, thoughts, and deliberations never cast off vulgarity. How could they discuss or admire lofty virtue and supreme meaning? At this time, the Superior Baoyin Zeyan was able to be stirred by what he heard and to cherish what he admired; his superiority over those who fraudulently mingle among the ranks is therefore truly praiseworthy. Although he has long roved through the Chan forests and practiced the patriarchal way, toward the Great Being who propagated the teachings he knew how to open his ears and eyes, giving rise to the aspiration to emulate him. Therefore, while in the capital, hearing of a Vinaya monk whose predecessors had been close friends with Mingjiao, he visited him. That monk spoke of past events and brought out this letter to show him. Zeyan earnestly pleaded to obtain it, and treasuring it, brought it south to show me as if it were an extraordinary treasure. I therefore told him: 'In looking up to that person and valuing his relic, do you do so for his name or for his reality? If for his name, it is external to him, only providing material for conversation, bringing no benefit to yourself. If for his reality, Mingjiao’s supreme treatises can be examined, and those which uncover delusion and reach far are very numerous. You should seek them out and investigate them, and contemplate his lofty demeanor to encourage and spur yourself on; then in the end there will be benefit.' Year, month, day.