弘明集 10.77

10.77

弟子孝才和南。逮示勅旨答臣下審神滅論。竊以彭生豕立咎現齊公。元伯纓垂事高漢史。且斬籌為喻義在必存神之不滅。法俗同貫欲滅其神。內外俱失。所謂管闚穹極寧辯西東。蠡度滄溟安知髣髴。天旨弘深慇懃於妙象。聖情隱惻流連於饗祭。豈直經教增隆。實使蒙愚悟道。眷逮所覃曲垂頒及。銘茲訓誘方溢寸心。弟子茫孝才和南。

Your disciple Xiaocai bows in reverence. The imperial decree replying to a subject's examination of the treatise on the extinction of the spirit has reached and been shown to me. I venture to think that Pengsheng standing like a boar manifested blame upon the Duke of Qi; Yuanbo's dangling hat-strings was an exalted deed in Han history. Furthermore, taking the severed tally as an analogy, the meaning lies in its necessary preservation. That the spirit is not extinguished is the consistent thread of both Dharma and the secular; to wish to extinguish the spirit loses both inner and outer teachings. This is what is called peering at the vault of heaven through a tube—how could one distinguish west from east? Or measuring the vast ocean with a ladle—how could one know even its outline? The imperial decree is vast and deep, attentive to wondrous forms; the sagacious feelings are full of commiseration, lingering over the sacrificial offerings. How could this merely cause the scriptural teachings to flourish? It truly causes the ignorant to awaken to the Dao. That your caring reach has extended so far, graciously distributing it to me, engraves this instruction and guidance so that it overflows my heart. Your disciple Fan Xiaocai bows in reverence.