緇門警訓 9.2

9.2

The Emperor respectfully inquires of Chan Master Zhiyi of Guangzhai Temple: Our feelings of reverent faith in the Buddhist teaching are deep and grave. In the past, at the time of Emperor Wu of the Zhou when the Buddha Dharma was destroyed, We aroused the aspiration and made a vow that We would certainly protect and uphold it. When We received the Heavenly mandate, We immediately revived it, looking up and relying on divine power. The wheel of Dharma was turned once again, and sentient beings of the ten directions all obtained benefit. Recently, because the Chen dynasty was tyrannical, disorderly, cruel, and oppressive, the common people of the southeast suffered hardships and corvée labor beyond endurance; therefore, We commanded generals and dispatched armies to eliminate harm for the people. The lands of Wu and Yue are now decreed to be swept clean, and clergy and laity are at peace once more, greatly according with Our intentions. We revere the true Dharma and save the myriad living beings, wishing to cause the field of merit to endure forever and the ford and bridge to be boundless. Since you, Master, have already left behind the net of the world, having cultivated yourself and transformed others, We certainly hope you will encourage and advance them. Monks must firmly uphold the prohibitive precepts, causing those who see them to be filled with reverent submission and those who hear to immediately give rise to goodness; only then will they fulfill the intention of the Great Way—this is the vocation of leaving home. If your body wears the robe of the Way while your mind is defiled by worldly dust, not only will living beings have nothing to take refuge in, but We also fear that the gate of the wondrous Dharma will attract even more slander. You should encourage one another to share Our intention. As the spring days gradually grow warmer, may the state of your health in the Way be well. Sixteenth day of the first month, the tenth year of Kaihuang. Announced by Subject Li Delin, Duke of Anping and Director of the Chancellery; received by Subject Li Yuancao, Viscount of Wu'an and Vice Director of the Chancellery; executed by Pei Ju, Secretariat Drafter.