高僧傳 4.29

4.29

Dun lingered in the capital for nearly three years, and then returned to Dongshan. He submitted a memorial taking his leave, which said: 'Dun knocks his head to the ground and states: Daring with my lack of talent to aspire to the ways beyond the world, I have failed to spur myself forward, thus erring against your sagely transformation. As for the meaning of a śramaṇa, his teaching originates from the Buddha and the sages; carving away ornamentation to return to simplicity, severing desires to return to the source. He wanders in the realm of emptiness and mystery, adheres to the norms of the inner sage, maintains the chastity of the five precepts, and assists the governance of the outer ruler. Harmonizing the music of the soundless, he takes self-contentment as harmony. Devoted to filial piety of loving-kindness, he harms not even wriggling creatures; bearing sorrow that requires no condolence, he ever laments unrighteousness. Holding to compliance before omens arise, he guards from afar against karmic retribution; partaking of the moderation of having no rank, he treads in supremacy without regret. Therefore, when wise kings hold the solemnity of facing south, none fail to admire their style and custom, put their reclusive path at ease, search into their compliant hearts, and overlook their bodily reverence; hence it has grown ever fresher through successive dynasties. Your Majesty is endowed by Heaven with sagely virtue; your elegant taste never tires. Traveling in the spiritual pattern of the Way, you forget to eat even as the sun sets; this may be called bells and drums resounding to the morning zenith, your voice shaking the world. With your pure reputation already brilliant, nothing could be more fortunate. I pray that Your Majesty will match the longevity of Heaven and Earth, widely unfold the utmost transformation, discard the deceptive falsehoods of Chen and Xin, pursue the grand counsel of Confucius's prayer, cut off the petty paths that lead to mud, and wield the grand reins upon the level road. If so, Mount Tai will not accept unlawful sacrifices from the Ji clan, gaining the One to become spiritual; the king will not offer holocaust except at the Circular Mound, gaining the One to remain ever steadfast. If the steadfast and spiritual each remain one, humans and spirits will forget one another; the ruler will be a ruler and below there will be no partisan promotions; the spirits will be spirits and no prayers will add to their efficacy. When mysterious virtue is mutually bestowed, the people will receive unseen blessings; the vast six directions will become an abode of auspiciousness; the magnificent Great Jin will be a realm of supreme prosperity. Constantly practicing non-action, all things will return to their source; holding fast to the Great Image, the world will come of itself. As for state statutes and executions, the officials will attend to them: if granting life is not personal favor, those rewarded will naturally attain it; if execution is not out of personal wrath, those punished will suffer the penalty themselves. By broadening the public instruments to satisfy the divine will, and upholding the weighing scale to exhaust the unseen measure—this is what is called: "What does Heaven say? The four seasons run their course." I, this poor monk, am a rustic recluse of Dongshan, having different glories from the worldly; gathering vegetables on the long hills, rinsing my mouth in the clear ravines, dressed in rags all my life, never peering toward the imperial steps. Unexpectedly, the heavenly light shone obliquely, foolishly gracing my thatched hut; repeatedly receiving your luminous edicts, I was made to travel to the capital. Advancing or retreating, I was in a dilemma, not knowing where to place myself. Since arriving at the Heavenly Path, I have repeatedly been granted audience, treated generously as a guest, and probed with subtle words. Constantly ashamed that my talent cannot escape dullness and my reasoning does not overcome conventionality, unable to respond to and extol the mysterious pattern or satisfy your sight and hearing, I was flustered before the attendants, sweating on my seat. Formerly, the Four Elders came to the Han, and Duan Ganmu acted as a hedge for Wei; both knew their time to come forth or retire, and their silence and speech met the right occasion. Today, my virtue is not that of the ancients; my movement and stillness contradict proprieties. Wandering as a phantom in the forbidden palace, declaiming by the sovereign's side, I would soon fall into distress through occupying a place not mine; what could I accomplish? Furthermore, the months and years pass swiftly, stirring such laments of transience; how much more so when my companions are separated and my studies left neglected—turning my head to gaze eastward, who could be without longing? I pray that Your Majesty will timely grant me dismissal to return to the forests and thickets, raising the bird as a bird, which would be a supreme favor. Respectfully I present this plain tablet to express my humble views; packing my provisions and looking to the road, I prostrate and await your compassionate edict.' The edict immediately granted it, providing provisions and sending him off with great abundance in every matter. The celebrities of the time all saw him off at Zhenglu. Cai Zishu arrived first and sat near Dun; Xie Wanshi arrived later, and when Cai briefly stood up, Xie moved over to take his seat. When Cai returned, he picked up Xie along with the mat and threw him to the ground; Xie did not mind at all. Such was the admiration he enjoyed among the worthy of his time.