弘明集 12.45

12.45

General of the Central Army, Prefect of the Masters of Writing, Huan Qian, Founding Marquis of Yiyang, and others, in dread and terror of capital punishment, respectfully receive the instruction regarding having śramaṇas pay homage to rulers. Although He and Yu debated it, they did not reach the bottom of it after all. This is a great matter, and it should be made just right, truly as in your refined discussion. However, the Buddhist Dharma and Yao and Confucius have different directions; ritual teachings directly run contrary to it. People regard hair and skin as weighty, yet [monks] shave them without hesitation. Leaving the family and abandoning relatives, they do not regard serving with pleasant countenance as filial piety. Viewing their corporeal frames as dirt and wood, they sever desire and stop contention; not looking to a single lifetime, they seek blessings for ten thousand kalpas. What the world values, they have cast away; what ritual teachings prioritize, they have severed all thought of. Serving the father and serving the lord are the utmost of natural ties; yet if they still leave their kin and loved ones, how could they pay ritual homage to the sovereign of ten thousand chariots? The situation naturally requires that it be omitted. Over three generations, they have been left outside the reins; this must be because the divine spirits have no fixed direction, showing that they are not restrained by rigid boundaries. Beyond seeing and hearing, there may perhaps be other principles. If we now make them pay respect, we fear that the things to be changed would be many, not only bowing and rising. Furthermore, when rulers revere the Dharma, it arises from respect and faith in its principles; yet to alter their ceremonies is again something not yet understood in human feeling. To accommodate them as they are is indeed the greatness of 'being lenient and forgiving.' Director Wang has separately replied to your difficult question. Kong Guo and Zhang Chang are there; I imagine they have already consulted you face-to-face regarding their thoughts. Dao Bao and the other monks are all sufficient to reply to your noble intentions. Subordinates like us do not understand Buddhist principles; speaking merely from our feelings, we are ashamed that it is not worth reading. Qian and others in dread and capital punishment.