三教平心論 1.20

1.20

Others, again, merely see Master Yuancheng's words, which state: 'The words of Confucius and the Buddha form beginning and end to one another. Confucius and the Buddha are fundamentally one; they differ only in the practical provisions of their schools.' Thus Confucianism and Buddhism have never failed to coincide. Or the words of Layman Guitang, who said: 'The Buddha is the culmination of nature (*xing*); the Dao is the culmination of destiny (*ming*). When the two teachings stand opposite each other and interpenetrate, then the mystery of innate nature and destiny is first perfected.' Thus Buddhism and Daoism have never failed to be identical. Or the verse by Mahāsattva Fu, which says: 'A Daoist cap, Confucian shoes, and a Buddhist kāṣāya; / Blending the three schools to make one single family.' Thus the Three Teachings have never failed to unite into one. If we now favour Buddhism alone while disparaging Confucianism and Daoism, would that be the intention of the worthy predecessors? What they do not realise is that the words of the worthy predecessors were merely the skillful means of the worthy predecessors.