弘明集 12.27

12.27

Your servant states: Your Majesty recently visited the Jetavana Monastery, and your servant earnestly requested an inscription and eulogy, seeming to recall a vague assent. After the imperial carriage returned, your servant reverently carved on the monument: 'Eulogy by the Emperor', these three words alone. For the crime of taking liberties, I am willing to accept punishment. As for recording blessings in the unseen realm, I do not know if that matched [your intent]. If you would bestow a few characters in the divine brush, your servant would die without decaying, and for promoting customs, it would be beneficial and without harm. If Your Majesty is too occupied with the myriad affairs of state, your imperial intention could naturally be delegated. How could the scribes and bodyguard ministers lack the wish to exert themselves? What distance is there like Pi Chen and Shi Shu? This need not labor the imperial thought, which also accords with the intent of wearing the crown tassels. Your servant's career has long declined, and the road of life is exhausted; my humble mind cares only for the next life. Having received profound favor and more than sufficient salary, I assess that I will never repay this sage era. In the sincerity of offering a horse's head or tying grass, I pray Your Majesty will take pity and not blame your servant's words.