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Kigen Dogen Zenji
On the subject of Pride
The followers of Buddhism should bear in mind that everyone has some defect, and that pride is the commonest. Buddhist Sutras, and pagan ones warn us of this.
A Confucian scripture says that some people are poor and do not court others favors while there are no rich people except proud ones. It warns us against arrogance due to wealth. This is very important. You should think it over.
It is too arrogant of some people to intend to get the better of others in spite of low birth, but it is easy to dissuade them from such intention. Those who are wealthy and fortunate in the world are flattered by their relatives and recognized as respectable, but their humble neighbors have a sense of inferiority when seeing their grand style. What should they do, not to give them an inferiority complex? Even if they are condescending they will grieve their neighbors with their casual behavior. This is very important in everything. Those who are careful of this can be considered to be quite moderate in high living, while those wealthy ones, who take advantage of their happiness and are not concerned about others' envy, are conceited.
There is an old saying, that you should not pass poor men's houses in a carriage. So, if you are in such a social position as to be equipped with a carriage, you had better refrain from riding in it in front of the poor. Such is the case with Confucian Buddhist scriptures.
Nowadays, however, the followers and Priests of Buddhism prize wisdom and doctrine. They should not be proud because they surpass others therein. They are too proud if they find fault with and speak ill of their inferiors, superiors and fellows.
There is another old saying that you may be defeated in front of the wise, but must not be in front of fools. When another has a wrong understanding of your correct knowledge you will go wrong if you point out his mistake. In discussing various words in sutras, you should not speak ill of the short comings of your predecessors. You should take good care of this point, especially when there is the danger of foolish and uncultivated persons' feeling envy or having a sense of inferiority.
While I was at Kenninji Temple, a good many Priests' asked about various words in sutras. What they said was full of mistakes and faults but I gave careful consideration to this point and explained the virtues of the doctrine as they are, without pointing out their mistakes. The foolish, who hold fast to their master's mistakes strike home when they are convinced of the true meaning of the doctrine. They will then correct their opinions. You should think over this matter over and over again.
Rev. Kigen Dogen Zenji, Eihei ji Monastery, in the year 1237