[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [高僧傳](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059) › 8.29 # 高僧傳 8.29 高僧傳 8.29 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [8.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059.8.29) 大明六年九月，有司奏曰：「臣聞邃拱凝居，非期宏峻；拳跪槃伏，豈止敬恭？將欲昭張四維，締制八㝢。故雖儒、法枝派，名、墨條流，至於崇親嚴上，厥繇靡爽。唯浮圖為教，逷自龍裔。宗旨緬邈，微言淪遠，拘文蔽道，在末彌扇。遂迺凌越典度，偃居尊戚。失隨方之妙迹，迷製化之淵美。夫佛法以謙儉自牧，惠虔為道。不輕比丘，遭人必拜。目連桑門，遇長則禮。寧有屈膝四輩，而間禮二親；稽顙耆臘，而直骸萬乘者哉？故咸康創議，元興載述，而事屈偏黨，道挫餘分。今鴻源遙洗，群流仰鏡，九仙賮寶，百神從職。而畿輦之內，含弗臣之氓；階席之間，延抗禮之客。懼非所以澄一風範，詳示景則者也。臣等參議，以為沙門接見，皆當盡虔禮敬之容。依其本俗，則朝徽有序，乘方兼遠矣。」帝雖頗信法，而久自驕縱，故奏上之日，詔即可焉。 > In the ninth month of the sixth year of the Daming reign era, the relevant officials submitted a memorial: "Your ministers have heard that the sovereign's solemn and secluded dwelling does not seek merely grandeur and loftiness; and do bowing, kneeling, and prostrating stop at mere respect and reverence? They are meant to manifest the Four Cardinal Principles and establish order throughout the Eight Realms. Therefore, although the Confucian and Legalist branches diverge, and the Ming and Mohist currents divide, when it comes to exalting kin and revering superiors, their principles never err. Only the Buddhist teaching comes from afar from the Naga lineage. Its ultimate principle is remote, its subtle words have sunk into obscurity; clinging to the letter and obscured from the Way, in its latter days it has flourished all the more. Consequently, they transgress the canonical codes and assume an attitude of pride before the exalted and sovereign. They have lost the wondrous traces of adapting to circumstances and are blind to the profound beauty of institution and transformation. Now, the Buddhadharma takes modesty and frugality as self-cultivation, and regards grace and devotion as the Way. The Bodhisattva Sadāparibhūta bow\[s\] whenever he encounters someone; the śramaṇa Maudgalyāyana pays homage whenever he meets his elders. How could they bend their knees to the four assemblies while withholding etiquette from their two parents, or prostrate before those of advanced monastic age while stiffening their bodies before the Lord of Ten Thousand Chariots? Therefore, in the Xiankang era the proposal was initiated, and in the Yuanxing era it was restated; yet the matter was thwarted by factional prejudice, and the Way was frustrated by excessive leniency. Now the vast source has washed afar, and all streams gaze up to the mirror; the nine immortals offer treasures, and the hundred spirits attend to their duties. Yet within the imperial domain there dwell subjects who do not act as vassals, and among the court seats guests are received on terms of equality. We fear this is not the way to unify moral customs and clearly demonstrate illustrious regulations. Your ministers have deliberated together and consider that whenever śramaṇas are granted an audience, they ought to perform the full rites and gestures of reverence and respect. In accordance with original customs, the court ceremonies will possess order, and the reach of dynastic transformation will encompass what is distant." Although the Emperor had some faith in the Dharma, he had long been arrogant and willful; therefore, on the day the memorial was submitted, he issued an edict granting approval. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 8.28](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059.8.28) - [Next: 8.30](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059.8.30) - [Up: 8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059.8) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059~en-mt.8.29) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [集沙門不應拜俗等事](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2108.2.34) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059.8.29](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2059.8.29) · Pramāṇa