鐔津文集 3.10

3.10

Filial piety has that which can be seen and that which cannot be seen. That which cannot be seen is the principle of filial piety; that which can be seen is the practice of filial piety. Principle is that from which filial piety issues forth; practice is that by which filial piety is manifested. If one cultivates the manifestation while leaving the inner mind uncultivated, then one will not serve parents with sincerity, nor show kindness to others with truthfulness. If one cultivates the inner mind while also cultivating the manifestation, not only will one serve parents and show kindness to others, but this will also move heaven and earth and touch the ghosts and spirits. Heaven and earth share the same principle with filial piety; ghosts and spirits share the same numinous quality with filial piety. Therefore, the spirits of heaven and earth cannot be sought through unfiliality, nor deceived by counterfeit filial piety. The Buddha said: 'Be filial and obedient to the Dharma of the ultimate Way.' The Confucians said: 'Set filial piety down, and it fills heaven and earth; diffuse it, and it spans the four seas; apply it to later generations, and it knows neither morning nor evening.' Thus it is said: 'Filial piety is the constant norm of Heaven, the righteousness of Earth, and the conduct of the people.' How supreme, how great is filial piety as a Way! Therefore, when our sage wished people to practice goodness, he necessarily first made their nature sincere, and only then expressed it in their conduct. Filial practice means nourishing one's parents. If practice is not guided by sincerity, then one's nourishment will at times be deficient. When one is filial with sincerity, one's service to parents is complete, and one's kindness to others and care for creatures is impartial. Filial piety (xiao) is emulation (xiao); sincerity (cheng) is accomplishment (cheng). To accomplish means to accomplish one's Way; to emulate means to emulate filial piety. To practice filial piety without emulation is not filial piety; to practice sincerity without accomplishment is not sincerity. For this reason, the filial piety of the sage values sincerity. Did not the Confucian say: 'The noble man values making himself sincere'?