四明尊者教行錄 6.43

6.43

明州准行在尚書禮部符准都省批送下，敷文閣學士左朝請郎知明州軍州事提舉學事莫（將）狀。竊見本州延慶寺，係傳天台教法。至道二年，創為十方，寺宇宏壯，學徒奔湊，傳演不絕。真宗皇帝甞遣使至寺，命僧（知禮）修治懺法。太子少保趙（抃）作（知禮）行業記，具載其事。昨經兵火之後，此寺幸存。數年以來，盡為見任官及寄居官，拘占指射作住止處，便為己物轉相貿易，不容僧徒居止，佛像毀壞、雜穢侵擾，不成福田。及在州廣慧院報恩寺，舊係禪林，在州城下，唯有禪剎兩處，係熏修祝聖之地，從來開啟禱散聖節道場並在廣慧院。自經兵火焚毀後來，雖得數間小屋，亦被拘占，僧徒不敢營造。將自到任擘畫屋宇，盡將兩寺寄居之家遷出，責令本寺修葺殿宇。鳩工聚材，憑藉眾力，漸已成就。僧徒日興禪教，仰贊皇圖，祝延聖壽。除報恩寺已有聖旨指揮，不許拘占外所有。延慶寺廣慧院伏望釣慈特為敷奏，專降指揮，不許諸人指占居住，庶幾古跡名藍不致墮壞，永為福田。謹具申尚書省。伏候釣旨。後批三月二十四日送禮部行下本州一面措置施行。明州主者，一依都省批狀，指揮施行，須至行遣。右出給公據，付延慶寺仰收執，永為照會。紹興十四年四月日給。

Mingzhou, in accordance with the directive of the Ministry of Rites of the Department of State Affairs at the Provisional Capital, which complied with the endorsement and forwarding from the Department of State Affairs concerning the petition of Mo [Jiang], Academician of the Fuwen Pavilion, Left Gentleman of Court Consultation, Prefect of Mingzhou Military Prefecture, and Supervisor of Academic Affairs: It is observed that the Yanqing Monastery in this prefecture is dedicated to transmitting the Tiantai Dharma. In the second year of the Zhidao era, it was newly established as a monastery of the ten directions; the monastery buildings were magnificent and vast, students rushed to gather there, and the transmission and expounding have continued without interruption. Emperor Zhenzong once dispatched an envoy to the monastery, ordering the monk [Zhili] to cultivate and perform repentance rituals. Zhao [Bian], Junior Protector of the Heir Apparent, composed a record of [Zhili's] deeds and conduct, fully recording this matter. After recently passing through the fires of warfare, this monastery fortunately survived. Over recent years, however, it has been entirely requisitioned and occupied by incumbent and resident officials as living quarters, who took it as their personal property to trade among themselves, refusing to allow monks to dwell there; the Buddha statues were damaged, and impurities disturbed the site, preventing it from serving as a field of merit. Furthermore, the Guanghui Cloister and Bao'en Monastery in this prefecture were formerly Chan forests situated below the prefectural city walls; they were the only two Chan sanctuaries dedicated to burning incense, practicing, and praying for the Emperor. The bodhimaṇḍas for inaugurating and concluding prayers for imperial birthdays have always been held at Guanghui Cloister. Since being burned down by warfare, although several small rooms were obtained later, they were also requisitioned and occupied, so that monks dared not rebuild. Since taking office, [Mo] Jiang planned the buildings, fully evicted all the resident households from the two monasteries, and charged the monasteries with repairing the halls. Mobilizing labor and gathering materials, relying on the collective effort, it has gradually been accomplished. The monks daily revitalize Chan and the doctrinal teachings, reverently assisting the imperial realm and praying for the Emperor's longevity. Except for Bao'en Monastery, which already has an imperial decree directing that requisition and occupation are not permitted, as for Yanqing Monastery and Guanghui Cloister, I humbly look up to your compassionate regard to specially memorialize and issue a specific directive strictly forbidding all persons to designate, occupy, and reside there, so that ancient sites and famous sanctuaries will not fall into ruin, remaining forever fields of merit. Respectfully submitted to the Department of State Affairs. Humbly awaiting the compassionate directive. Endorsement on the reverse: On the twenty-fourth day of the third month, forwarded to the Ministry of Rites to instruct this prefecture to arrange and implement on its own. The authorities of Mingzhou shall strictly follow the endorsed petition of the Department of State Affairs to direct and implement, and must execute it accordingly. The above official document is issued and delivered to Yanqing Monastery to be kept and held forever for reference. Issued on the [blank] day of the fourth month in the fourteenth year of the Shaoxing era (1144 CE).