Everything right comes from the source 不離宗就是正 from Collection of Rain Blossoms
- Xing Shen
- Aug 20
- 2 min read
Think of a tree. If it loses its roots, its leaves will dry up. In the same way, if a person turns away from their true source, their actions will go wrong. This is why, in everything, we should never lose touch with the source. Once we turn away from it, we are building on what is false, and sooner or later, it will fall apart.
Many Schools, One Root
Buddhism may appear to have many schools, yet at heart they all share the same root. Still, some people cling to the phrase “a special teaching outside the scriptures,” and from that they stir up endless divisions. This only shows they have not really understood the heart of meditation and awakening. The essence of Buddhahood is beyond form; if it is formless, how can schools truly be different?
When I share the Buddha’s teaching, I keep only one thought in mind: if someone can be helped, then I will help them. I don’t mind what method it takes, and I don’t cling to fixed forms. With this kind of heart, I can say with peace that I have not wronged anyone, and I have not gone against the Buddha’s truth.
Staying True to the Source
Staying true to the source is what’s right. To leave the source—even if you seem to succeed—is still wrong. Long ago, Venerable Kāśyapa said, “A teaching without meditation is a false teaching. An awakening without meditation is a false awakening.” It is like grass without roots. It may look fresh for a short time, but it cannot last.
不離宗就是正
雨花集
濟公活佛
樹離根則葉敗，人離宗則行壞。是以萬事不能離宗。離宗者，妄本也。
佛教宗派雖多，其本則一。有人以教外別傳四字，而起許多分別心，此實未得禪悟。佛根本無相，何有宗派之異？我渡人法寶，一向祇抱能渡則渡，不問路徑，不擇手段。如此立心，自問無忤於人，無違於法。
我以為不離宗就是正，離宗就算成就也屬於邪。顧迦葉尊者曾經說過，教離禪謂之邪教，悟離禪謂之邪悟。等於無根之草，榮不多時。
This translated text is a chapter from Collection of Rain Blossoms, a scripture written by JiGong Living Buddha in the 1900s through spirit writing. Here the link to the original Chinese source.
If you are interested in other chapters of this book, here is the link to the table of contents.
