唐護法沙門法琳別傳 2.12

2.12

聖上欽明文思。有何未喻可否須陳。刺上之情礭言其旨。法師對曰。琳聞。儒教濟時人知希仰。釋老利物愚者致疑。所以託彼上庠陳其未諭。寄之碩學暢此玄功。故云殉主事親。則忠孝為首。全身遠害。則道德居尊。救苦利生。則慈悲作本。懷忠奉孝。可以全家國。行道立德。可以播身名。興慈運悲。可以濟群品。濟群品則恩均六趣。播身名即榮被一門。全家國乃功包六合。故忠孝為訓俗之教。道德為持身之術。慈悲蓋育物之行。亦猶天有三光各稱其德。鼎有三足並著其功。三教同遵嘉祥可致也。當今

the sagely sovereign is reverent, enlightened, cultured, and thoughtful. What could there be that is not yet understood, requiring advice on what is fitting and improper to be presented? Reveal the underlying intention of criticizing the ruler and speak plainly on its meaning.' The Dharma Master replied: 'I have heard that the Confucian teaching aids the times, and people know to look up to it; the teachings of the Śākya and Laozi benefit beings, yet the ignorant give rise to doubts. Therefore, borrowing that supreme academy, I set forth what had not yet been understood; entrusting it to eminent scholars, I gave expression to this mysterious merit. Thus it is said: sacrificing oneself for the ruler and serving parents, loyalty and filial piety come first; preserving one's life and staying clear of harm, the Dao and virtue hold the highest place; relieving suffering and benefiting living beings, compassion serves as the foundation. Harboring loyalty and practicing filial piety can keep family and country intact; practicing the Dao and establishing virtue can spread one's reputation; giving rise to loving-kindness and exercising compassion can deliver all kinds of living beings. Delivering all kinds of living beings, one's kindness is shared equally across the six destinies; spreading one's reputation, glory covers one's whole family; keeping family and country intact, one's merits encompass the six directions. Therefore, loyalty and filial piety are the teachings that instruct mundane society; the Dao and virtue are the art of preserving oneself; compassion is the practice of nurturing beings. This is just like heaven having the three luminaries, each matching its virtue, or a tripod having three legs, each displaying its function. When the three teachings are venerated together, auspiciousness can be attained. At present,