釋鑑稽古略續集 1.126

1.126

三月庚寅。皇太子即皇帝位於大明殿。大赦天下。賜高年帛　革罷僧道衙行。論曰。望五位以升階。轉二依而就果者。上乘菩薩也。以四向一坐而證成。三生百劫而彰號者。緣覺聲聞也。聖賢品級教有明文。惟妙悟自心。入佛知見者千聖尚不為。何階級之有。末云　朝廷尚行於爵秩。釋子乃兢於官階。官階無盡期。貪愛無滿分。胡不養其妻子跪拜君親。何異織女七襄牽牛負軛者哉。識達於此無取焉。不空三藏深於大教有功。授宮猶媿濫污。今何人欲假名器哉。

In the third month, on the gengyin day, the Crown Prince ascended the imperial throne in the Daming Hall, granted a general amnesty to the realm, and bestowed silk on the elderly. The administrative offices of the monks and Daoists were abolished. The commentary states: 'Those who look up to the five stages to ascend the steps, and transform the two dependencies to attain the fruit, are the bodhisattvas of the Supreme Vehicle. Those who realize fulfillment through four directions and one sitting, and manifest their titles through three lives and a hundred kalpas, are the pratyekabuddhas and śrāvakas. The ranks of the sages and worthies are clearly documented in the scriptures. Only those who wonderfully awaken to their own minds and enter the Buddha's knowledge and vision do not even act as the thousand sages; what ranks could there be?' At the end it states: 'The imperial court still operates by noble ranks and emoluments, yet the sons of Śākya contend over official ranks! Official ranks have no end, and greedy attachment is never satisfied. Why not support wives and children, and bow down to rulers and parents? How is this different from the Weaver Maiden shifting seven times a day, or the Herd Boy bearing the ox yoke? Those who understand this find nothing worthwhile in it. Tripitaka Master Amoghavajra rendered profound merit to the Great Teaching, yet felt ashamed of improperly accepting an official title. Who today would wish to usurp an honorific title?'