鐔津文集 2.22

2.22

What is meant by the teaching's term “abbot” (zhuchi)? An abbot refers to relying on a person to uphold his Dharma, causing it to abide forever without perishing. Precepts, samādhi, and wisdom are the tools for upholding the Dharma. The monastic grounds and material affairs are the resources for upholding the Dharma. The Dharma is the Way of the Great Sage. Resources and tools must await the right person before they can be maintained. It will not do to be good at the tools but not good at the resources; it will not do to be good at the resources but not good at the tools. When both are handled well, one can uphold the Dharma and cause it to abide. In ancient times, the abbot of Vulture Peak was overseen by Mahākāśyapa; the abbot of the Bamboo Grove was presided over by Śāriputra. Therefore the Sage's teaching flourished, and the Sage's Dharma endured for long. Since the Sage passed away, the succession of generations has drifted aimlessly and been lost for a long time. Our people opportunistically make the abbotship a matter of prestige, power, and profit. All under Heaven have become accustomed to this, rushing headlong in turmoil, until it has almost become the prevailing custom. The Sage will not appear again; who will rectify this? Those who provide external protection neither observe nor choose. To desire that the spirit of our Sage does not decline and to hope that the Sage's Dharma becomes ever more prosperous is impossible. Alas! What hope do I have?