23.不貪名聞利養 Not being greedy for fame, profit, or offerings

不貪名聞利養

公于湧泉寺任職四年。皆苦行單事。即常住供眾錢亦不接受。每日祇食粥一盂。而身體則頗健康。斯時山中有古月禪德。為眾中苦行第一之榜樣。時向過訪深談發願效法古德。

宣化偈曰： 出類拔萃回不同。豈是肉眼能認清。 富貴功名置度外。利養毀譽不動心。

Not being greedy for fame, profit, or offerings

The Master held posts for four years at Yung Ch’uan Monastery, undergoing austere practices and serving others. He would not accept money offered to the assembly and the Permanently Dwelling. Although he ate but one bowl of rice gruel a day, his health was excellent. At this time the Venerable Master Ku Yueh (Ancient Moon), who dwelled in the mountains, was the foremost exemplar of ascetic cultivation. Visiting him and engaging in profound conversation, the Master resolved to emulate the Venerable Yueh.

The verse says: Above his peers in a class by himself, far and away quite different; How could the common fleshly eye perceive this? He placed himself outside of wealth, honor, merit, and fame. Nor could his mind be moved by offerings, praise or slander.