一友问:「欲于静坐时将好名,好色、好货等根,逐一搜寻,扫除廓清,恐是剜肉做疮否?」
先生正色曰:「这是我医人的方子,真是去得人病根,更有大本事人,过了十数年,亦还用得著。你如不用,且放起,不要作坏我的方子!」
是友愧谢。
少间,曰:「此量非你事,必吾们稍知意思者为此说以误汝。」
在坐者皆悚然。
一位朋友问:「想在静坐时把好名、好色、好货等病根逐一搜寻出来,扫除廓清,恐怕是剜肉做疮吧?」
先生正色说:「这是我医人的方子,真能去得人的病根。更有大本事的人,过了十数年也还用得着。你如不用,且放着,不要作坏了我的方子!」
这位朋友惭愧道歉。
过了一会儿,先生说:「这想法不是你自己的,必是我们稍知些意思的人编出这话误了你。」
在座的人都悚然。
A friend asked: 'To search out in quiet sitting every root of love of fame, lust and greed and sweep it clean — is that not cutting flesh to make a sore?'
The Master said gravely: 'This is my prescription for healing men; it truly digs out the root. Men of the greatest powers have still used it ten years and more on. If you will not use it, lay it aside — but do not spoil my prescription!'
The friend apologized with shame.
After a moment: 'This notion was not yours; some of us who half-know must have framed it and misled you.'
All present were startled.