三教平心論 2.22

2.22

Zhang Hengqu said, "Its error lies in reducing the six directions to mere dust and chaff; its narrowness lies in treating the human world as a dream and illusion." Yet he failed to reflect that Zhuangzi said: "The four seas between heaven and earth are like an anthill in a great marsh; the states within the seas are like a grain of panic grass in a great granary." What is this if not dust and chaff? Bai Letian said: "Yesterday one could warm one's hands at the rooftop; today outside the gate one might set bird-nets. Do not laugh at the poor and base nor boast of wealth and nobility: both become withered bones, so what difference is there?" What is this if not dream and illusion? Hengqu himself was blind to this; how could one claim that those who realize it are incorrect? Cheng Mingdao said: "The Buddhists seek to speak of eliminating the sense faculties and dusts, but there is no such principle; if there were such a principle, it could only be death." Yet he failed to reflect that Chan Master Dahui said: "Mind, intellect, and consciousness obstruct the Way worse than poisonous snakes and fierce tigers. Fierce tigers can still be avoided, but there is nowhere for you to avoid mind, intellect, and consciousness." How then could a practitioner of the Way be encumbered by faculties and dusts? The Sixth Patriarch said: "Bodhi originally has no tree, / nor does the bright mirror have a stand. / Fundamentally not a single thing exists, / so where can dust settle?" When has one who has awakened to the Way ever been encumbered by faculties and dusts? Mingdao did not understand this himself; how could he say that no such principle exists under heaven?