釋氏稽古略 2.121

2.121

The Song Emperor issued an edict urging the Venerable Guṇavarman (a native of Central India) to hasten to the capital. In the first month of this year, he reached Jiankang and was granted an audience. Emperor Wen welcomed and consoled him with exceptional diligence, questioning him about the Buddhist Path. One day, he asked: 'I have constantly wished to observe the fasts and refrain from killing, yet, with my person responding to affairs of the world, I cannot accomplish it. May the master graciously instruct me.' The Venerable said: 'The Way lies in the mind, not in outer matters; the Dharma comes from oneself, not from others. Furthermore, what is cultivated by emperors and kings differs from that of commoners. If a commoner does not subdue himself and practice rigorous restraint, how could he be of use? An emperor or king takes the four seas as his home and the myriad people as his subjects. If he utters a single good word, the gentry and commoners all rejoice; if he disseminates a single good policy, humans and spirits are brought into harmony. If penalties do not cut short lives prematurely, and corvée does not exhaust strength, then wind and rain will arrive in season and the hundred grains will flourish abundantly. By observing the fast in this way, the fast is truly vast; by not killing in this way, the benefit is truly immense. Why must one halt half a day's meal or preserve the life of a single fowl before it is considered broad salvation? One need only bestow diligence and frugality.' The Emperor stroked his table and sighed, saying: 'The worldly are confused by distant principles, while monks remain stuck in close teachings. According to the master's words, one may well discourse on the boundary between Heaven and humans!' From then on, the Emperor revered him as his master, ordered him to reside at Jetavana Monastery, and provided for him most lavishly. Subsequently, he lectured on the Lotus Sūtra and the Daśabhūmika chapter in the monastery. The Emperor led the dukes and ministers daily to gather beneath the seat to listen to the Dharma. The magnificence of the Dharma assembly was unprecedented. (Hongming ji)