宋高僧傳 1.5

1.5

勅通慧大師贊寧，省所令左街天壽寺賜紫僧顯忠進編修《有宋高僧傳》三十卷事，具悉。一乘妙道，六度玄門，代有奇人，迭恢聖教。若無纂述，何以顯揚？繄爾真流，棲心法苑，成茲編集，頗効辛勤。備觀該總之能，深切歎嘉之意。其所進《高僧傳》，已令僧錄司編入大藏。今賜絹三千匹，至可領也。故茲獎諭，想宜知悉。冬寒，想比清休否？遣書指不多及。十八日勅。

Decree to Grand Master Tonghui Zanning: We have examined the matter of the presentation of the thirty scrolls of the compiled You Song gaoseng zhuan by the monk Xianzhong of Tianshou Temple on the Left Street, recipient of the purple robe, whom you sent, and fully comprehend it. In the wondrous path of the ekayāna and the profound gate of the six pāramitās, rare persons have emerged in every generation to successively broaden the holy teaching. Without compilations and records, how could it be made manifest? Truly, you are of the authentic stream, dwelling with your mind in the grove of Dharma; in bringing this compilation to completion, you have rendered considerable toil. Seeing fully your encompassing ability, Our feelings of deep admiration and praise are profound. The Gaoseng zhuan that has been submitted has already been ordered to be incorporated into the Tripiṭaka by the Saṅgha Registry Office. We now bestow three thousand bolts of silk, which may be received upon arrival. Hence this commendation and instruction, which We expect you to understand fully. In the winter cold, We wonder if you have been well and at leisure lately? We shall not dwell at length on the purport of this letter. Decree of the eighteenth day.