弘明集 12.55

12.55

難曰。歷代不革。非所以為證也。曩者晉人略無奉佛。沙門徒眾皆是諸胡。且王者與之不接。故可任其方俗。不為之檢耳。今主上奉佛親接法事。事異於昔。何可不使其禮有准日用清約有助于教皆如君言。此蓋是佛法之功。非沙門傲誕言之所益也。今篤以祇敬將無彌濃其助哉。

I object: That successive dynasties did not change it cannot serve as evidence. In the past, the people of Jin scarcely venerated the Buddha; the monastic assembly was composed entirely of northern barbarians. Moreover, the rulers did not interact with them, so they could leave them to their regional customs without restraining them. Now the Sovereign venerates the Buddha and personally engages in Dharma assemblies. The circumstance is different from the past; how could one not make their rituals adhere to standard? That its daily use is pure and austere, aiding moral teachings, is entirely as you say; this is the merit of the Buddha's Dharma, not something augmented by the arrogant and absurd words of monks. Now if we require them to be sincere in reverent respect, will that not all the more enrich that assistance?