四明尊者教行錄 5.42

5.42

（知禮）伏念身老林泉，任拘香火，仰明月而遐照我牖、望白雲而高遷帝鄉，徒効葵傾，因慚匏繫。伏惟祕監果行，育德自誠而明，為諸夏之梓材，作九州之木鐸。潤色鴻業，揮彩筆於玉堂；康濟明時，成皇覺於仙室。斯焉駕道，式副具瞻，素仰膺門，長懸丘擣。而知禮也，灰心寄世，砥行先經，切栢代香，忝嗣天台之迺祖；刻蓮為漏，濫承廬阜之遺風。豈期誤泛虛名，遐臻祕府，致諸命服，贈以善言。捧接宸章，感動肌骨，雖懷在笥，猶恐災身。追思梁氏之知然，方茲何逮；退省裴公之優密，類此猶輕。繼都講於山陰，作主人於蓮社。顧微軀受賜，無足稱焉；諒大教益光，有自來矣。造蘭臺而投刺，莫遂衷腸；棲石室以觀心，永期外護。謹奉狀申謝，伏惟台悉。

[I, Zhili,] humbly reflect: An aged body amid forests and springs, entrusted to the bounds of incense and lamps, I look up to the bright moon that shines from afar upon my window, and gaze upon the white clouds as they ascend high toward the imperial capital; in vain I mimic the sunflower's turning, and feel ashamed at being uselessly tied like a bitter gourd. I humbly consider: Your Excellency the Palace Library Supervisor acts with resolve, cultivating virtue from sincerity into brilliance; you are the building timber of all the Huaxia lands, the wooden clapper of the nine provinces. You embellish the great undertaking, wielding your vibrant brush in the Jade Hall; you bring ease and relief to this enlightened era, realizing imperial enlightenment in the celestial chambers. In this way you ride upon the Way, fulfilling the expectations of all who look up to you; I have long revered your household, my heart ever suspended with longing. As for me, Zhili, with a heart of cold ashes I lodge in this world, honing my conduct by taking the scriptures first. Cutting cypress as a substitute for incense, I unworthily succeed the ancestral master of Tiantai; carving a lotus to serve as a water clock, I presumptuously carry on the remaining legacy of Mount Lu. How could I have expected that an empty name, mistakenly spread, would reach far into the Secret Archives, bringing about the bestowal of a monastic robe and a gift of kind words! Receiving the imperial decree with both hands, I was moved to the marrow; though I keep it in my hamper, I still fear it may bring misfortune upon my body. When I recall Zhirand of the Liang, how could he compare with this? When I reflect back on Peigong's subtle regard, something like that was still lighter. You continue the lecturing duties at Shanyin and act as host to the Lotus Society. Considering my humble frame, that I should receive this gift is unworthy of praise; yet surely the great teaching's further brightening has its true origin. To approach the Orchid Terrace and submit my visiting card cannot fulfill my inner feelings; perching in a stone chamber to contemplate the mind, I forever hope for your external protection. I respectfully submit this letter to express my thanks, humbly hoping for Your Excellency's kind notice.