三教平心論 1.13

1.13

道家之教。自吾身而通乎幽冥。自人間而超乎天上。自山林巖穴而至於渺渺大羅巍巍金闕。可謂超凡而入聖者。若夫天地造化之外。則何如哉。其說曰。大周天界細入微塵。是極大不過周天界。界則限於此。而外此者。非所與知矣。是道家之教然也。故學道者。精神專一動合無形。翹然於清淨寡欲之境。而吐故納新積功累行。可以尸解可以飛昇。可以役鬼神而召風雨。可以贊造化而立玄功。壽量無窮快樂自在。道之極功如此而已。黃庭經云。長生久視乃飛去。蓋至長生則極矣。

The teaching of Daoism extends from one's own person to penetrate the unseen realms, from the human world to transcend into the heavens, and from mountain forests and rocky caverns to reach the vast Daluo and the towering Golden Gate. It can be said to transcend the ordinary and enter the sacred. Yet what of that which lies beyond heaven, earth, and the creative transformation? Its teachings say: “Broadly, it encompasses the realm of heaven; finely, it enters a minute speck of dust.” Thus, its greatest extent reaches no further than encompassing the realm of heaven; its realm is limited to this, and whatever lies outside this is not within its knowledge. Such is the teaching of Daoism. Therefore, those who study Daoism concentrate their spirit in singleness of purpose, their movements harmonizing with the formless, rising high into the realm of purity and few desires. Inhaling the new and exhaling the old, accumulating merit and multiplying deeds, they can achieve release by means of a corpse or ascend by flight; they can command ghosts and spirits and summon wind and rain; they can assist creation and establish profound merit. With limitless lifespan, they abide in joyous ease and self-mastery. The ultimate achievement of Daoism is just this. The Huangtingjing says: “With long life and enduring vision, one then flies away.” Truly, upon reaching long life, it has reached its limit.