弘明集 14.10

14.10

夫時塞有通否終則泰。千聖相尋群師迭襲。昔我皇祖本原天王體化應符龍飛初域。仗權形以附萬邦。奮惠柯以覆六合。威蕩四邪掃清三有。方當抗宏綱於八區。絙靈網於宇宙。夷靜七荒寧一九土。而冥宗不弔真容凝靜。重明寢暉虛舟覆浪。故令蟻邪番興梟見暴起。曀染真塗塵惑清眾。虐鍾蒼生毒流萬劫。懷道有情異心同忿。我法王承運應期理亂。上承高胄下託群心。秉天旗以籠三千。握聖圖以隆大業。雲起四宮鸞翔天竺。降神迦維為時城塹。綏撫黎元善安卿士。獎導群情慰喻有疾。嚴慧柯於胸中。被神甲於身外。愍十八之無辜。哀三空之路絕。志匡大荒必平多難。百域千邦高伏風化。承君不忌重迷自覆。深攝愚懷故守偽見。狼據欲天鵄鳴神闕。叛渙疆場抗距靈節。謂大位可登弘規可改。覽茲二三遂為歎息。昔大通統世群方影附。有偽癡天魔不遵正節。干忤聖聽陳擾神慮。領卒塞虛。權形萬變。精甲照曦霜戈拂域。靈鼓競興響衝方外。矯步陸梁自謂強盛。王師一奮群邪殄喪。眾迷革心望風影伏。況君單將驍然介士無方眾不成旅。而欲違背陵虐華邑。篡奪靈權騰邈最勝。以為忝真可不謬乎。今釋迦統世。道隆先劫。妙化蕩蕩神羅遠御。智士雍雍雲算蓋世。武夫龍跳控弦萬隊。協略應真奇謀超拔。故命使持節前鋒大將軍閻浮都督歸義侯薩陀。獨稟天奇蒙塵玄鏡。神高須彌猛氣籠世。善武經文忠著皇闕。領眾四十萬億揚鑣首路。使持節威遠大將軍四天都督忉利公。導師武勝標群文超。紘謀妙思絕塵心栖夢表。憂時忘身志必匡世。領眾百萬億鸞飛天衢。使持節征魔大將軍六天都督兜率王解脫月。妙思虛玄高步塵表。略並童真功侔九地。悼愍三塗忿若縱害。援劍慷慨龍迴思奮。領眾四百萬億雲迴天門。使持節通微大將軍七天都督四禪王金剛藏。朗質映暉金顏遐燭。恩過九錫力傾山海。右眄則濛氾飛波。左顧則扶桑落曜。德無不照威無不伏。領眾七百萬億虎眄須彌。使持節鎮域大將軍九天都督八住王大維摩詰。奇算不思法柯遠振。體含神姿權踰萬變。呼吸則九服雲從。叱咤則十方風靡。哀彼下民無辜酸楚。領眾九百萬億飲馬虛津。使持節覽後大將軍十三天都督小千諸軍事九住王大文殊。承胄遐元形暉三界。胤自紫宮神高體大。應適千塗玄算萬計。群動感於一身。眾慮靜於一念。深抱慈悲情兼四攝。領眾若塵翱翔斯土。使持節匡教大將軍錄魔諸軍事群邪校尉中千王觀世音。智略淵深慧柯遠振。明達四通朗鑒三固。或託迹群邪曜奇鋒起。或權形二九息彼塗炭。揮手則鐵圍摧巖。噓氣則浮雲頹崿。能為萬方不請之友。領眾不思仗戈虎嘯。使持節布化大將軍三界都督補處王大慈氏。妙質縱網天姿標傑。體踰金剛心籠塵表。猛氣衝雲慧柯遠奮。無生轉於胸中。權智應於事外。志有所規無往不就。威恩雙行真俗並設。領眾八萬四千嚴警待命。勇出之徒充溢大千。金剛之士彌塞八極。咸思助征席卷六合。乘諸度之寶軒。守八正之修路。跨六通之靈馬。控虛宗之神轡。彎四禪之勁弓。放權見之利箭。鳴驥桓桓輕步矯矯。奉命聖庭曾無有闕。貴郎導師勝子五百。幽鑒天命來投王化。聖上開衿感氣歸順。皆授名爵封賞列土。功侔舊臣聲蓋萬域。而君何心橫生異計偃蹇荒邊規固常位。毒害勃於蒼生。災禍流於永劫。可不哀哉。可不謬哉。君昔因時為物所惑。狂迷君心投危外竄。百行一愆賢達常失久。謂君覺知返愚歸罪象魏束身抽簪同遊群儁。以道自懽榮名終始。如何攝愚守謬偷安邪位。託癡山以自高。恃見林以遊息。耽六欲之穢塵。翫邪迷以怡性。建憍慢之高幢。引無明之兇陣。闊步荒塗輕弄神器。盜篡天宮抗衡日月。恐不果哉。舉手而映三光。把土以填巨海。雖擬心虛標事之難就。將軍殖福玄津原承彌遠。華貌暐然群情屬目。望責之基易登。由來之功可惜。君可反往修來翻然歸順謝過朱門。以道齊好家國並存。君臣同顯身名獲安。曉目達觀眷屬晏然。可不美哉。今王師剋舉十方翹轡。手提法羅齊舞群聖。道柯曜於前驅。靈鼓振於後隊。神鍾一叩十方傾覆。海浪飛波陸原涌沸。于斯之時。須彌籠於一塵。天地廻於一車。無動安於左衿。妙樂曜於右手。神力若斯。豈可當也。我法王體道仁慈不忍便襲。權停諸軍暫壹靈轡。臨路遣書庶迴迷駕。君可早定良圖面縛歸闕。委命皇庭逍遙玄境。隆名內暉遊形外寄。上方即任非君而誰。夫惠尚識機明貴免禍。窮而知反。君子所美。斯乃轉禍之高秋。取功之良節。昔夏桀無道殷王致伐。商紂首亂周武建師。此即古今之蓍龜將軍之明誡。相與雖乖於當年。風流宜同於道味。人天崎嶇何足致隔。想便霍然隨書致命。所以竊痛其辭委曲往文者。不欲令蘭芳夏凋修柯摧穎。深致思言。善自量算。無使君身傾筐三趣。莫令六天鞠生稊稗。造頴眄目助懷惕然。臨路遣書諸情多憒。言不藉意。

Now, when times are blocked there comes passage; when obstruction reaches its end, peace follows. Thousands of sages have succeeded one another, and hosts of masters have inherited the lineage in turn. In the past, our imperial ancestor, the primal heavenly king, embodied transformation in response to cosmic tallies and arose like a dragon in the primordial domain. Relying on provisional forms to embrace the myriad states, brandishing the axe of wisdom to cover the universe, his awe-inspiring power swept away the four evils, clearing the three realms of existence. Just as he was about to raise the grand netting throughout the eight quarters and stretch the divine net across the universe, pacifying the seven wastes and unifying the nine lands, the profound ancestor did not extend pity: his true countenance became frozen in stillness, the double radiance hid its light, and the empty boat capsized in the waves. Consequently, ant-like evils sprang up in succession, and owl-like views violently arose, clouding and defiling the true path, disturbing and perplexing the pure multitude. Cruelty fell upon the common people, and poison flowed through myriad kalpas. All sentient beings cherishing the Dao, though differing in thought, shared the same indignation. Our King of the Dharma, succeeding to the cycle and responding to the time, governed disorder. Above, he inherited the lofty lineage; below, he received the entrustment of the multitudes' hearts. Holding high the celestial banner to enfold the three thousand [worlds], clasping the sacred blueprint to make grand the great undertaking, clouds rose above the four palaces and the luan bird soared over Tianzhu. He descended his spirit at Kapilavastu, serving as a rampart for the age. Comforting and nurturing the common folk, bringing peace and security to the ministers, encouraging and guiding the feelings of the masses, he consoled the sick. He honed the axe of wisdom in his breast and donned the armor of the spirit upon his body. Pitying the innocence of the eighteen [elements] and mourning that the path of the three vacuities was cut off, he resolved to rectify the great wilderness and inevitably level many hardships. A hundred domains and a thousand states bowed low in submission to his transformative influence. Yet we learn that you, unawed, are doubly deluded and self-concealing. Deeply clasping your foolish mind, you stubbornly cling to counterfeit views, perching like a wolf upon the heavens of desire and screeching like an owl at the divine palace. Rebellious along the borderlands, you resist the sacred commands, claiming that the great throne can be ascended and that the grand design can be altered. Looking upon this twofold and threefold folly, we can only sigh! In the past, when Mahābhijñājñānābhibhū governed the world, the myriad regions followed him like shadows. There was a false and foolish celestial Māra who did not comply with the correct commands, disturbing the sacred ears and troubling the divine thoughts. Leading troops to block the void and manifesting provisional forms in myriad changes, his refined armor reflected the sun, and his frosted halberds swept the realm. Divine drums vied in sounding, their noise striking beyond the bounds. Stalking about with overweening steps, he considered himself mighty and strong. But once the royal host made a single thrust, all the hosts of evil were wiped out and perished; the deluded multitudes reformed their hearts, bending in submission like shadows before the wind. How much less can you, a single general, with merely a few valiant foot-soldiers and an undisciplined crowd that does not even form an army, hope to rebel, oppress the splendid cities, usurp divine authority, and vault past the Supreme One! To consider yourself equal to the True One—is that not an utter delusion? Now Śākyamuni governs the world; his Dao surpasses previous kalpas. His wonderful transformation is vast and boundless, and his divine net is extended far and wide. Men of wisdom are harmonious and numerous, their cloud-like stratagems overshadowing the age; martial warriors leap like dragons, drawing bows in myriad companies. Coordinating their plans to correspond to reality, their marvelous strategies are transcendent. Therefore, an order has been issued to Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Vanguard Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of Jambudvīpa, and Marquis Who Returns to Righteousness, Sadā[prarudita], uniquely endowed with celestial wonders, whose profound mirror is veiled in dust, whose spirit towers over Sumeru, whose fierce vigor blankets the world, who excels in martial arts and is versed in culture, whose loyalty is manifest to the imperial palace: he leads a host of four hundred billion to spur their mounts and take the lead on the road. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Far-Reaching Awe Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of the Four Heavens, and Duke of Trāyastriṃśa, the guide of martial excellence, supreme among the multitude, superior in culture, with boundless plans and wondrous thoughts, detached from dust, his mind roosting beyond dreams, forgetting his own body out of sorrow for the times, resolved to rectify the world: he leads a host of one trillion to soar like luan birds along the celestial thoroughfare. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Subduing Māra Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of the Six Heavens, King of Tuṣita, and Vimukticandra, whose wondrous thought reaches into the vacuous and profound, stepping high beyond worldly dust, his strategies rivaling the Kumārabhūta, his merits equal to the nine grounds, mourning the three paths of suffering, indignant as if evil were given free rein, drawing his sword in passionate resolve, wheeling like a dragon eager to exert himself: he leads a host of four trillion to swirl like clouds through the heavenly gate. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Penetrating the Subtle Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of the Seven Heavens, King of the Four Dhyānas, and Vajragarbha, whose bright essence reflects the sunlight, whose golden countenance shines afar, whose favor surpasses the nine bestowals, whose power overturns mountains and seas—glancing to the right, Mengfan surges in waves; looking to the left, Fusang casts down its glow—whose virtue leaves nothing unilluminated, whose awe leaves none unsubmitted: he leads a host of seven trillion to gaze like a tiger upon Sumeru. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Pacifying the Realm Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of the Nine Heavens, King of the Eighth Stage, the Great Vimalakīrti, whose extraordinary calculations are inconceivable, whose axe of the Dharma vibrates afar, his essence harboring divine grace, his expedient means surpassing myriad transformations—breathing in, the nine provinces follow like clouds; roaring out, the ten directions bend like grass before the wind—pitying the common people below in their innocent bitterness: he leads a host of nine trillion to water their horses at the ford of vacuity. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Surveying the Rear Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of the Thirteen Heavens and of All Military Affairs of the Minor Chiliocosm, King of the Ninth Stage, the Great Mañjuśrī, inheriting his lineage from the distant origin, his bodily radiance illuminating the three realms, descending from the Purple Palace, lofty in spirit and great in form, adapting to a thousand ways with tens of thousands of profound calculations—all moving beings are felt within his single person, all thoughts are stilled within a single instant of thought—deeply embracing loving-kindness and compassion, his feelings encompassing the four means of embracing: he leads a host like dust to soar over this land. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Rectifying the Teaching Generalissimo, Controller of All Military Affairs Concerning Māra, Colonel of the Host of Evils, King of the Medium Chiliocosm, Avalokiteśvara, whose wisdom and strategy are profound and deep, whose axe of wisdom vibrates afar, clearly penetrating the four ways, brightly inspecting the three stabilities, sometimes leaving his traces among the host of evils, flashing brilliant blades that rise up, sometimes manifesting provisional forms in the eighteen realms to relieve their miseries—waving his hand, the Iron Encircling Mountains crumble into cliffs; exhaling a breath, the floating clouds collapse over precipices—able to serve as an unasked friend to the myriad regions: he leads an inconceivable host, brandishing halberds and roaring like tigers. Commissioner Bearing the Tally, Spreading Transformation Generalissimo, Commander-in-Chief of the Three Realms, King of the Succession, the Great Maitreya, whose marvelous substance traverses the net [of phenomena], whose celestial bearing is preeminent, whose body surpasses adamantine diamond, whose mind encompasses what lies beyond the dust, whose fierce vigor surges into the clouds, whose axe of wisdom is brandished afar—non-arising revolves within his chest, expedient wisdom responds outside worldly affairs—whatever his will aims at, nothing fails to be accomplished, awe and kindness exercised together, the ultimate and the conventional established in tandem: he leads a host of eighty-four thousand, strictly alert and awaiting commands. The ranks of those who courageously advance overflow the great chiliocosm; the warriors of adamantine resolve fill the eight extremities. All yearn to assist in the expedition to sweep across the universe. Riding in the jeweled chariots of the perfections, keeping to the cultivated road of the eightfold path, striding atop the divine steeds of the six spiritual penetrations, grasping the sacred reins of the vacuous lineage, drawing the stiff bows of the four dhyānas, releasing the sharp arrows of expedient views, their neighing steeds are majestic, their swift strides spirited. Receiving the commands of the sacred court, they have never had any deficiency. Your noble sons, the excellent sons among guides, numbering five hundred, profoundly discerned the celestial decree and came to take refuge in the royal transformation. The sacred ruler opened his heart and, moved by their submission, granted them titles, nobility, rewards, and fiefdoms; their merit equals that of veteran ministers, their renown covering the myriad regions. What mind possess you, then, to harbor deviant plans out of turn, lounging proudly on the desolate frontier, intending to secure your permanent position, causing venom and harm to erupt among the common people, and calamity to flow for eternal kalpas? Is this not lamentable? Is this not a delusion? Formerly, owing to the times, you were misled by external things; mad and confused in mind, you plunged into peril and fled abroad. Though one fault in a hundred deeds is often committed by the wise and virtuous, it has long been thought that you would become aware, turn from your folly, present your guilt before the palace gates, bind your body, cast off your hairpin, and mingle with the crowd of worthies, rejoicing in the Dao and preserving an honorable name from beginning to end. Why do you hold onto foolishness, cling to error, and steal ease in a deviant position, relying on the mountain of ignorance to exalt yourself, depending on the grove of views to disport yourself, indulging in the foul dust of the six desires, toying with deviant delusions to gratify your nature, erecting the high banner of arrogance, and leading the sinister battle arrays of fundamental ignorance, boldly striding on the wild paths and lightly trifling with the sacred vessels, usurping the celestial palace and rivaling the sun and moon? We fear this cannot be accomplished! Raising a hand to block out the three luminaries, or clutching earth to fill the vast sea—though envisioned in mind as an empty aim, the task is difficult to fulfill. General, you have cultivated blessings in the profound ford, and your origins trace far back; your splendid countenance is dazzling, attracting the gaze of the multitude. The foundation of high expectations is easy to mount; the merit accumulated of old is truly a pity to waste. You ought to turn back from the past and cultivate the future, swiftly returning in allegiance to make apology before the vermilion gates. Equal in friendship through the Dao, family and state will both be preserved; lord and minister will be glorified together, and your person and name will attain security. With enlightened vision and thorough insight, your kinsmen will be at peace. Would this not be fine? Now the royal host is bound to take the field; in the ten directions, reins are eagerly raised. In their hands they hold the net of Dharma, and the sages dance in unison. The axe of the Dao shines before the vanguard; the divine drums resonate behind the rearguard. Once the sacred bell is struck, the ten directions will overturn, ocean waves will surge in breakers, and the land and plains will boil over. At that time, Sumeru will be enclosed in a single dust mote, heaven and earth will revolve upon a single chariot wheel, the Immovable [Realm] will rest upon the left lapel, and Extreme Joy will shine upon the right hand. With spiritual power such as this, how could it be resisted? Our King of the Dharma embodies the Dao with benevolence and compassion, unable to bear an immediate assault; he provisionally halts the armies and briefly pauses the divine reins, sending this letter on the road, hoping to turn back your misguided chariot. You should promptly determine a sound plan, bind your hands, and return to the palace, entrusting your life to the imperial court and wandering leisurely in the profound realm. With exalted renown shining within and a wanderer's form entrusted without, if you were not to assume office in the realm above, who else could? Now, wisdom values recognizing the opportune moment; clarity prizes avoiding calamity. Reaching an extremity and knowing to return is what the superior person praises. This is precisely the grand season to avert disaster and the fine time to achieve merit. In antiquity, when Jie of Xia was without the Dao, the King of Yin launched an expedition; when Zhou of Shang initiated chaos, King Wu of Zhou raised an army. These are the divination shells and tortoise-shells of past and present, a clear warning for you, General. Although our paths have parted in recent years, our refinement should be one in the flavor of the Dao. Why should the rugged distance between heaven and man cause estrangement? We expect you will promptly and unreservedly submit in response to this letter. The reason we have taken the pain to write these words in such detailed and earnest prose is that we do not wish the fragrant orchid to wither in summer, or the tall branch to have its shoots snapped. Ponder these words deeply and calculate well. Do not let your person be cast into the three wretched destinies, nor let the six heavens be overgrown with tares and weeds. Our hairs stand on end as we look about, our hearts filled with trepidation on your behalf. Sending this letter on the road, our feelings are much agitated; our words cannot fully convey our intent.