弘明集 8.14

8.14

The true doctrine is hard to understand, while worldly fame easily deludes. Worldly encumbrances plunge one into deep abysses, while mountainous virtue treats light winds and dew lightly. For instance, the Yellow Turbans and their ilk eyed the Han house like kites; overturning heaven's luminosity, they were all executed for their crimes. Next came Zi Lu, who again proclaimed a demon way; not aided by spirits and deities, he was assailed by wild deer. In the end, Sun En once more proclaimed the Purple Dao; not constrained by the lowliness of commoners, he sought to grasp the exalted weight of an emperor. He produced sounds of clouds from secluded crevices, and brought forth delusional reveries out of empty obscurity. His 'water immortals' deluded the multitude, wrongfully slaying the old and the young, ruining the state and destroying the people. How could this not be treasonous perversity? For this reason, Emperor Wu of the Song Dynasty contemplated it with sorrowful indignation; soaring like a dragon for a thousand miles and striding like a tiger across the three rivers, he swept up and struck down the hordes of demons without taking ten days. Conscious beings rejoiced, and grasses and trees were bathed in spring light.