法苑珠林 55.54

55.54

The One Beyond the World replied: “Bogeys only cause calamity; how could they propagate the transformation of the ten virtuous deeds? Enchantments inevitably rely on evil; how could they promote the path of the eightfold noble path? Bogeys still fear dogs, and enchantments are afraid of wildcats; how could they subdue the haughty mind of Śakra or crush the immense power of the heavenly Māra? Moreover, take those such as Fotudeng and Kumārajīva, or the peers of Dao'an and Huiyuan: they possessed sublime virtue and lofty renown, being neither mad nor drunk. How could they renounce affection and glorious rank to seek the evil path of mountain demons, or toil their bodies and maintain harsh austerities to serve the bogey-spirits of water sprites? Furthermore, from the Eastern Han down to our