小節　林鈺堂

拘泥枝末難施展，小節不守易逐流；
依尺丈量只器皿，心無成見方解脫。

跋

不拘小節，可能漸行墮落；斤斤計較，則無以大刀闊斧行事。遇事如何決定取捨、開遮？規矩準繩可以成就器皿，奈何難越尺寸之丈量。徹底解脫，則需掃淨心地，一絲成見也不留。真正掃清，心地自然開廣，融合法界而無有邊限。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　二○○一年七月十二日
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　養和齋　　　　於加州

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Minor Pointsy　Yutang Lin

Caring for branches could hinder proper operation;
Violation on minor points easily leads to downfall.
Measured according to a ruler yields only utensils;
Liberation blooms after the absence of rigid views.

Comment:

Not heeding to minor cases of principles could lead gradually to downfall. Haggling over lightweight matters would render it impossible to make progress on major steps. How should we decide on what to choose or discard, allow or forbid? Rules and norms may help shape utensils; nevertheless, the results could not go beyond set measures. Thorough liberation requires sweeping of mind until no threads of preconceptions are left. When the sweeping is well done mind will naturally become open and broad, and will merge with the Dharmadhatu into limitless oneness.

Written in Chinese on July 12, 2001
Translated on July 21, 2001
El Cerrito, California

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