佛祖歷代通載 7.40

7.40

一符堅書曰。皇帝敬問太山朗和尚。大聖應期靈權超逸。蔭蓋十方化融無外。若四海之養群生。等天地之育萬物。養生存死澄神寂妙。朕以虛薄生與聖會。而隔萬機不獲輦駕。今遣使人安車相請。庶冀靈光逈蓋京邑。今并奉紫金數斤供鍍形像。績綾三十疋。奴子三人。可備洒掃。至人無違。幸望納受。想必玄鑒見朕意焉。既請已師禮事之。

First, the letter from Fu Jian said: 'The Emperor respectfully inquires after Upādhyāya Lang of Mount Tai. The Great Sage responds to the times; his spiritual expedients are transcendent. His umbrella shelters the ten directions, and his transformation blends without exterior. Like the four seas nourishing all living beings, he equals Heaven and Earth nurturing the myriad things. He nourishes the living and saves the dead, clarifying the spirit in quietude and subtlety. In my emptiness and unworthiness, I live to meet the sage, yet separated by the myriad affairs of state, I cannot come by carriage. Now I dispatch an envoy with a cushioned carriage to invite you, hoping that your spiritual radiance will shine from afar to shelter the capital city. Now I also present several jin of purple gold to be used for gilding images, thirty bolts of patterned damask, and three servant boys to provide for sweeping and cleaning. The perfected person does not go against [the wishes of others]; I earnestly hope you will accept them. I presume that with your mysterious discernment you will perceive my intention.' Having invited him, he served him with the etiquette due a master.