鐔津文集 3.8

3.8

Among the conditioned things of the realm, none is more primary than life. I depend on my parents to be born; therefore, I put my parents first. Among the luminous virtues of the realm, none is better than instruction. I depend on my teacher for instruction; therefore, I put my teacher first. Among the wondrous matters of the realm, none is more wondrous than the Way. I depend on the Way for application; therefore, I put the Way first. The Way is the root of spiritual application; the teacher is the root of instruction and guidance; parents are the root of bodily birth. These three roots are the great roots of the realm. One may dare a naked blade; one may go without food and drink; but these cannot be forgotten. When our former sages and later sages accomplished the Way and established teachings, they never failed to give priority to these three roots. The Great Precepts say: 'Be filial and obedient to parents, teachers, and monks; be filial and obedient to the Dharma of the ultimate Way.' Is it not so? Is it not indeed so?