唐護法沙門法琳別傳 2.5

2.5

闕庭上表。乃推法師為表曰。琳年迫桑榆。始逢太平之世。貌侵蒲柳。方值聖明之君。竊聞。子見一善必獻其父。臣見一善必獻其主。臣子於君父。敢不盡心者焉。何者父有諍子。身不陷於不義。士有諍友。身不離於令名。琳等雖預出家。仍在臣子之列。有犯無隱敢不陳之伏見

the imperial palace to present a memorial. They thereupon selected the Master to compose the memorial, which stated: “I, Falin, whose years approach the setting sun, have only just encountered an era of great peace; my appearance withers like willow and reeds, only now meeting a sage and enlightened ruler. I have heard that when a son sees a single good, he must present it to his father; when a subject sees a single good, he must present it to his sovereign. Between minister and son to sovereign and father, how could they dare not exhaust their devotion? Why is this? If a father has a remonstrating son, his person will not fall into unrighteousness; if a scholar has a remonstrating friend, his person will not be separated from a good name. Although we, Falin and the others, have joined the renunciation of household life (pravrajyā), we still remain among the ranks of subjects and sons. When there is a transgression, nothing should be concealed; how could we dare not set it forth? Respectfully I have observed