釋鑑稽古略續集 2.164

2.164

正月初八日。欽奉聖旨。釋迦佛發大悲願心。歷無量劫至於成道說法度人。一切來歷載大藏。愚者安能知義。聰者未能盡目。有佛以來效佛之修者無量。凡所說法。人天會聽。愚者雖無知。補於時君多矣。自佛去世之後。諸祖踵佛之道。所在靜處不出戶牖。明佛之旨。官民趨向者歷代如此。效佛宣揚者智人也。所以佛道永昌。法輪常轉。邇年以來。踵佛道者。未見智人。致使輕薄小人毀辱罵詈有玷佛門。特勅禮部。條例所避所趨者。榜示之。

On the eighth day of the first month, an imperial decree was respectfully received: "Śākyamuni Buddha aroused a mind of great compassion and vows, passing through measureless kalpas until he realized the Way, expounded the Dharma, and liberated beings. All of his origins and deeds are recorded in the Great Canon. How could the foolish know their meaning? Even the clever cannot read them all. Since there has been a Buddha, those who have emulated the Buddha's cultivation are measureless. Wherever he expounded the Dharma, humans and gods assembled to listen. Although the foolish are ignorant, the benefit to the rulers of their time has been immense. Since the Buddha passed away, the patriarchs have followed the Buddha's way, staying in quiet places without venturing outside their doors, making clear the Buddha's meaning; officials and commoners flocked to them, and so it has been throughout the dynasties. Those who emulate the Buddha and propagate [his teaching] are wise people. Therefore, the Buddha's Way has flourished forever, and the wheel of Dharma has continually turned. In recent years, among those who follow the Buddha's way, no wise men have been seen. This has caused frivolous, base persons to defame, insult, and revile them, bringing taint upon the Buddhist gate. We specially command the Ministry of Rites to list the regulations on what to avoid and what to pursue, and to post them for public notice."