法苑珠林 34.5

34.5

Consider that ordinary passions are difficult to curb: they are like mountain apes that constantly follow external sense-objects, and resemble wild elephants. The three modes of karma are agitated, and through conditioned causes they manifest all the more. Therefore the Buddha established teachings to have them constantly reined in and controlled. Thus a sūtra says: 'One should be the master of the mind, not mastered by the mind. Let the karma of body, speech, and mind not consort with evil. Let bodily precepts and mental wisdom be as unmoving as a mountain.' Another sūtra says: 'Curb it in one place, and there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.' However, the nature of the mind is deluded and perverted, with self-view foremost; vexations and delusions are hard to rein in, and disturbing impulses constantly operate. At all times it is haughty or overly submissive. Unless one takes refuge in quietude to crush and subdue the three poisons, not wandering about with the body, keeping the mouth silent and closed, sleeping little and staying awake much, constantly sitting and reducing food, contemplating the correct Dharma, knowing that it is neither existent nor non-existent, straightening the body, rectifying the mind, and binding mindfulness before oneself—such teachings as these are termed 'restraining thoughts.'