弘明集 8.47

8.47

The Treatise Destroying Delusions states: Spiritual transformation is versatile; the body of the teaching is not uniform. The spiritual response meets and coalesces, appearing and disappearing without limit. If conditions reside in subtle transformation, then bodhisattvas propagate their Way; if transformation resides in coarse conditions, then sagely emperors unfold their virtue. Now, sagely emperors and bodhisattvas manifest responses according to resonance; their different teachings harmonize in concord, never failing to be the Buddha. Thus we know that from the Three Sovereigns onward, as the resonance ceased, the name was hidden; while under Emperor Ming of the Han, as conditions responded, the images appeared. As for the virtuous transformation of the Three Sovereigns and the benevolent instruction of the Five Emperors, this is what is called the Way, which seems unlike the Supreme Lord [Lao]. When Fuxi and Shennong established order, we never heard of presenting petitions to heaven; when Yao and Shun ordered government, would they have drawn talismans? When Tang and Wu suppressed violence, should they have consumed elixirs? The classical records of the Five Classics do not deign to mention Celestial Masters; to seek backing from the sagely emperors—is this not completely wrong?"