弘明集 10.120

10.120

近辱告惠示。主上所勅臣下審神滅論。性與天道誠不得聞。徒觀二諦兼通三聖。俱闡片言析妙半字。含靈辭存五禮之中。旨該六合之外。譬河海之紀地。猶日月之麗天。伏讀歡愉魂影相慶。何者弟子夙陶玄化及長不虧。常恐識業未弘中塗迴枉。或端然靜念心翱翔而靡薄。或吐言設論時見屈於辯聰。夫大道甚夷而黎元好徑。咸用此也。今猥奉神旨照若發蒙。且服且誦永為身寶。數日來公私牽挽。還輒頓臥未即白答。銜眷彌深。殷鈞和南。

Recently, I was humbled by your letter, which kindly conveyed the imperial decree responding to the ministers' inquiry on the treatise on the extinction of the spirit. Indeed, nature and the Heavenly Dao cannot easily be heard. Merely observing the two truths comprehensively penetrates the three sages; all of them elucidate the subtle in a single word and encompass the spirit in half a syllable. The phrasing resides within the five rites, while the purport covers beyond the six directions. It is like the rivers and seas regulating the earth, or the sun and moon gracing the heavens. Reading it prostrate with great joy, my hun and p’o congratulate each other. Why so? Because your disciple was nurtured in the profound transformation from an early age and has not fallen short as an adult; yet I was always afraid that my conscious karma was not vast enough, and that I would turn astray mid-course. At times, sitting upright in quiet contemplation, my mind soared without a place to alight; at times, uttering words and presenting arguments, I was occasionally overcome by clever eloquence. Indeed, the Great Way is very smooth, yet the common people love bypaths—all due to this! Now, having humbly received the divine intention, it illuminates as if dispelling ignorance. Upholding and reciting it, I will make it my lifelong treasure forever. In recent days, drawn by public and private matters, I collapsed into bed upon returning, so I did not reply immediately. My gratitude for your favor runs ever deeper. Yin Jun pays veneration.