國清百錄 2.56

2.56

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.