復南澗箬菴和尚
Reply to Master Ruo'an of Nanjian
杖入大雄峰忽瞻慈兩徒尋至接手教恍如誨言喜慰無量但東明二字不欲再聞弟嘗痛心當代荷法之士一住院子便視為己有去去來來不啻駑馬之戀枯椿佛法衰替古風不振皆此軰之過也惟知己無復望弟再回東明不致弟於此軰中則幸甚承諭負宗祖負檀護負先師以成已為高此言似非知己所道何故弟住則為法門住行則為法門行豈有捨法門而為己者乎萬望同眾護法另擇賢者主之則不負弟兩載祖苦心也至禱至禱。
Using his staff, he entered Grand Eminence Peak and suddenly caught sight of the compassionate visage. Then, the two disciples arrived and handed me your letter, which felt as if I were hearing your precious words directly. My joy and relief are boundless. However, I do not wish to hear the name "Eastern Brightness" mentioned again.
I have often grieved for those in this age who take on the responsibility of propagating the Dharma. As soon as they take charge of a monastery, they regard it as their own personal property. They come and go, no different from a nag longing for its withered post. The decline of the Buddha's teachings and the loss of the ancient virtuous ways are all the fault of such people. Only you truly understand me. If you do not hope for me to return to Eastern Brightness, and do not group me with such people, then I will be most fortunate.
As for your instruction that abandoning our patriarchs, our patrons and protectors, and even my own teacher, in order to personally achieve a higher state of being, this does not sound like a statement from an understanding friend. Why should it be so? When I stay, it is for the sake of the Dharma. When I leave, it is also for the sake of the Dharma. How could there ever be a case of abandoning the Dharma for personal gain?
I sincerely beg you all, along with the other protectors, to select another virtuous person to take charge. Only then will the two years of hardship I endured for our ancestral lineage not have been in vain. This is my most earnest prayer.