弘明集 10.45

10.45

茂和南。辱告伏見。勅旨答神滅論。頂戴欣躍不及抃舞。神理悠曠雖非建言所極。列聖遺文炳然昭著。莫不撫抃虔襟。式遵彝典。豈可妄陳虛矯厚誣前誥。謂來緣之不期棄享薦之至禮。迷路茫茫歸塗靡薄。苦空一到有悔無追。主上含明體聖妙窮真假。發義照辭舟航淪溺。豈唯天人讚仰信。亦諸佛迴光。弟子夙昔棲心本憑淨土。數延休幸預逢昌世。方當積累來因。永陶慈誘藻悅之誠。非止今日未獲祇敘。常深翹眷比故修詣。此白無由。王茂和南。

Mao pays homage. Graced by your notice, I have prostratively seen the imperial decree answering the Treatise on the Extinction of the Spirit; carrying it upon my head with leaping joy, I cannot keep from dancing. Although the spiritual principle is vast and boundless, beyond the reach of established speech, the bequeathed texts of the ranks of sages are brilliantly manifest. None fail to clap their hands and clasp their robes in reverence, standardly complying with the constant canons. How could one falsely advance hollow fabrications, grievously slandering the ancient edicts, claiming that future karmic conditions cannot be expected, and abandoning the supreme rites of offerings and sacrifices? The path of delusion is vast; the road back has nowhere to anchor. Once suffering and emptiness arrive, there is regret but no remedy. The Lord above embraces brilliance and embodies sagacity, wondrously probing truth and falsehood. Putting forth righteous arguments to illuminate his words, he serves as a boat and ferry for the drowning. How could it merely be that devas and humans praise and admire it? Surely the Buddhas also reflect their light upon it. Your disciple has long rested his mind on relying upon the Pure Land; repeatedly meeting with auspicious fortune, I happen to encounter a flourishing age. I shall now accumulate future causes and forever be molded by compassionate guidance. The sincerity of my delighted joy does not stop at today; not yet having attained an audience, I have always deeply yearned for you. Having recently paid a visit, I had no means to convey this in person. Wang Mao pays homage.