Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘Loving fame is worse than breaking a precept. Breaking a precept is a transgression at a particular time. Loving fame is like an ailment of a lifetime. Do not foolishly hold on to fame, or do not ignorantly accept it. Not to accept fame is continuous practice. To abandon it is continuous practice.

The titles of master for the first six ancestors were all given posthumously by emperors. These ancestors did not receive their titles out of love of fame. Likewise, you should give up love of fame within birth and death, and simply wish for the continuous practice of buddha ancestors. Do not be like devouring creatures. To greedily love the self, which is of slight significance, doesn’t take you above the level of creatures and beasts. To abandon fame and gain is rare for humans and devas, but all buddha ancestors have done so.

Some say, “I seek fame and love gain for the benefit of sentient beings.” This is a greatly mistaken view held by heretics within the buddha dharma, as well as by a troop of demons who slander the true dharma. Does this view mean that the buddha ancestors who do not seek fame and gain are unable to benefit sentient beings? What a laugh! What a laugh!’ (Shobogenzo Gyoji)