四明尊者教行錄 5.83

5.83

正月十日，本州送到，勅牒一道、鈞銜一通，蒙恩授（知禮）法智大師者。綸言肇布，靡停琁室之間；金簡初裁，倐遠瀛壺之上。焚香滌想，避席觀辭。唐錫四名，偶可孚而同稱；隋旌兩字，幸德安而共呼。祇荷寵光，伏增感懼。切念（知禮）聲凡玉振、量淺淵淳，運十法之大車，期躋佛地；張八教之法網，貴漉人魚。聊行南嶽之風，敢肖東林之化。豈謂都尉太傅，會虹流之節、禱石固之基，委黷叡謀、特矜纖善，舉清銜而遠賜、擢幽跡以無淪。載省若驚，終疑不稱，揮犀梵字，且守於先規；噉石空山，未偕於往哲。伏況都尉太傅，戎韜頴達、義府淵游，妙窮西竺之言、密契南宗之意，雅合宸鑒、特秀人文，髦士咸歸、方來所則，俟光垂統、用叶具瞻。恭惟上為廟朝，精調寢膳。（知禮）山情，不任勞結，戴恩激切，知歸之至。

On the tenth day of the first month, our prefecture delivered one imperial patent and one document of high titular rank, whereby by imperial grace [I, Zhili,] was conferred the title Master Fazhi. The imperial words were first proclaimed without tarrying in the jade chambers; the golden tablets were newly drafted and swiftly sent far across the Yingzhou isles. Burning incense to cleanse my thoughts, I stepped away from my seat to view the proclamation. The Tang dynasty bestowed a four-character name, which by chance can match and be invoked together; the Sui dynasty honored a two-character title, which happily accords in virtue to be hailed in common. Humbly receiving this favored glory, I am prostrated with increasing awe and trembling. Reflecting earnestly on myself, Zhili: my renown is that of a common mortal while jade resounds; my capacity is shallow while the deep pool is pure. Driving the great carriage of the ten dharmas, I aspire to scale the stage of Buddhahood; spreading the Dharma net of the eight teachings, I value the catching of the human fish. I merely put into practice the style of Nanyue, and dare to emulate the transformative guidance of Donglin. How could I have expected that the Grand Commandant and Grand Preceptor, meeting the auspicious festival of the floating rainbow and praying for a foundation firm as stone, would trouble the imperial mind and especially pity my meager virtue, recommending a pure title to be bestowed from afar and elevating my secluded trace to keep it from sinking into obscurity? Repeatedly examining myself, I am as if alarmed, and continually suspect I do not measure up. Brandishing the rhinoceros whisk before Sanskrit characters, I merely keep to earlier regulations; chewing stones in an empty mountain, I have not matched the past sages. Humbly I consider that the Grand Commandant and Grand Preceptor: your military stratagems are eminent and thorough, your treasury of righteousness is deep and wide; you have subtly exhausted the words of the Western Indies and secretly tallied with the intent of the Southern School. Elegantly matching the imperial scrutiny, you stand out brilliantly in cultural refinement; eminent scholars all flock to you, and those coming from all quarters take you as their model. Waiting for your light to pass down the tradition, it accords with the gaze of all. Respectfully I pray that for the court above, you carefully regulate your sleeping and meals. Zhili's mountain feelings cannot bear the entangled weariness; bearing your favor with piercing intensity, I reach the utmost of knowing where to turn for refuge.