鐔津文集 3.16

3.16

The world takes Confucianism to be filial piety, but does not take Buddhism to be filial piety, saying, 'Since it is already filial, what could be added to it?' Ah, this is to see Confucianism yet not to have seen Buddhism! Buddhism is the ultimate of it. Guard it with Confucianism; broaden it with Buddhism. Humanize it with Confucianism; spiritualize it with Buddhism. Filial piety will then be supreme and great! Water naturally flows downward; if one channels and opens a breach for it, does it not reach its destination all the more swiftly? Fire naturally blazes upward; if one blows and fans it, does it not rise all the farther? Yuan Dexiu was a worthy of the Tang. In mourning his mother, his grief was extreme; unable to express his full devotion, he pierced his flesh and dripped blood to paint an image of the Buddha and write out Buddhist sutras, and the historians praised him. Li Guan was a prominent figure of the Tang. While observing mourning for his father, he pricked his blood to copy the Diamond Prajñāpāramitā Sutra and distributed copies to others to aid his father in the unseen world; suddenly a rare fragrance arose from his dwelling, intensely lingering for successive days and reaching his neighbours. Goodness certainly has what is great and what is small. The Way certainly has what is shallow and what is profound. The profound Way is wondrously attuned to life, death, and transformation; the great goodness penetrates heaven, earth, and the divine spirits. Is not the goodness of the Buddha the great goodness? Is not the Way of the Buddha the profound Way? A noble person must set their aim upon what is great and profound. Does not the Analects say: 'Hear much, select what is good and follow it'?