高僧傳 6.76

6.76

Kumārajīva, Sengqi, and the others replied, saying: 'We have heard that the highest rulers nurture the people by means of the Dao so that all beings naturally find their place, after which there are those who possess virtue to govern all under Heaven. Thus the enlightened rulers of antiquity understood the difficulty of going against innate nature and realized that accommodating all things involves many causes. Therefore Yao gave free rein to Xu You at Mount Ji; Duke Wen of Wei bowed from his chariot to Duan Ganmu; Emperor Gaozu indulged the Four White-Headed Recluses at Mount Zhongnan; and Fan Shudu declined the carriage with rush-wrapped wheels at Mount Han. These rulers considered suiting the nature of the worthy to be the true way of obtaining worthies. Now, Daoheng, Daobiao, and their companions do not possess comprehensive perfection of virtue; their lot lies in guarding their monastic resolve. From their youth they have studied the profound transformation and submitted their hearts to the Buddha's path; as for expounding the wondrous scriptures and investigating their obscure subtleties, they are sufficient to enlighten the young and assist the merits of spiritual transformation. We pray that Your Majesty will extend your past grace and indulge their humble aspirations.'