國清百錄 2.56

2.56

弟子總持和南。爰逮來誨須往荊楚，辭致首尾仰具高懷，但祇稟淨戒事成甫爾，宿昔凝滯匪遑諮決。闍梨和尚經稱勝田，種子雖投嘉苗未植，方用心形永伸供養，庶憑善誘日灑塵勞，凡厥共緣依止有地，斯亦舟航兼運利益弘多。如來化導何必止還天竺，菩薩應變本無定方，深願坦然以虛受物，遲延展禮面當諮遜。謹和南。

Disciple Zongchi bows in reverence. I have just received your instructions stating that you must go to Jingchu. The phrasing from beginning to end reverently displays your lofty aspirations. However, I have only just formally received the pure precepts; my past perplexities have not had time to be consulted and resolved. The ācārya and upādhyāya are spoken of in the sūtras as supreme fields [of merit]: though the seeds have been sown, the fine sprouts have not yet been established. I was just intending to dedicate body and mind to extending offerings forever, hoping to rely on your good guidance to cleanse away worldly toils daily, so that for all our shared connections there would be a place of reliance. This would also transport us together as a boat, yielding immense benefit. Why must the Tathāgata's teaching and guidance be restricted to returning to India? A bodhisattva's response to conditions fundamentally has no fixed direction. I deeply hope that you will be magnanimous and receive things with an open mind; delaying your departure to grant me an audience, we may consult in person with deference. Respectfully, I bow in reverence.