廣弘明集 17.12

17.12

諸沙門各以精勤。奉舍利而行。初入州境先令家家灑掃覆諸穢惡。道俗士女傾城遠迎。總管刺史諸官人。夾路步引。四部大眾容儀齊肅。共以寶蓋旛幢華臺像輦佛帳佛輿香山香鉢種種音樂。盡來供養。各執香華或燒或散。圍繞讚唄梵音和雅。依阿含經舍利入拘尸那城法。遠近翕然雲蒸霧會。雖盲躄老病莫不匍匐而至焉。沙門對四部大眾作是唱言。至尊以菩薩大慈無邊無際哀愍眾生切於骨髓。是故分布舍利共天下同作善因。又引經文種種方便。訶責之教導之。深至懇惻涕零如雨。大眾一心合掌右膝著地。沙門乃宣讀懺悔文曰。菩薩戒佛弟子皇帝某。敬白十方三世一切諸佛一切諸法一切賢聖僧。弟子蒙三寶福祐為蒼生君父。思與一切民庶共逮菩提。今欲分布舍利諸州起塔。欲使普修善業同登妙果。為弟子及皇后皇太子廣諸王子孫等內外官人一切法界幽顯生靈三塗八難。懺悔行道。奉請十方常住諸佛十二部經甚深法藏諸尊菩薩一切賢聖。願起慈悲受弟子等請。降赴道場證明弟子為一切眾生發露懺悔。於是如法禮拜悉受三歸。沙門又稱。菩薩戒佛弟子皇帝某。普為一切眾生發露無始已來所作十種惡業。自作教他見作隨喜。是罪因緣墮於地獄畜生餓鬼。若生人間短壽多病。卑賤貧窮邪見諂曲。煩惱妄想未能自寤。今蒙如來慈光照及。於彼眾罪。方始覺知。深心慚愧怖畏無已。於三寶前發露懺悔。承佛慧日願悉消除。自從今身乃至成佛。願不更作此等諸罪。大眾既聞是言。甚悲甚喜甚愧甚懼。銘其心刻其骨。投財賄衣物及截髮以施者不可勝計。日日共設大齋禮懺受戒。請從今以往修善斷惡。生生世世常得作大隋臣子。無問長幼華夷咸發此誓。雖屠獵殘賊之人亦躬念善。舍利將入函。大眾圍遶填噎。沙門高奉寶瓶巡示四部。人人拭目諦視共睹光明。哀戀號泣聲響如雷。天地為之變動。凡是安置處悉如之。真身已應靈塔常存。天下瞻仰歸依福日益而無窮矣。

The śramaṇas, each with diligent exertion, escorted the relics on their journey. Upon first entering the borders of a prefecture, they first had every household sweep and sprinkle water to cover all foul impurities. Clerics and laity, men and women, emptied their cities and came from afar to welcome them. Area commanders, regional inspectors, and other officials lined the road, escorting them on foot. The fourfold assembly carried themselves with uniform dignity and solemnity, gathering jeweled canopies, banners, pennants, flower terraces, carriage-mounted images, Buddhist curtains, Buddhist palanquins, incense mountains, incense bowls, and various sorts of music, coming together to make offerings. Each held incense and flowers, either burning or scattering them, circumambulating and singing praises, their Brahma-voices harmonious and refined, in accordance with the method described in the Āgama sutras for the entry of relics into the city of Kuśinagara. Those far and near gathered harmoniously like rising clouds and assembling mists; even the blind, the crippled, the aged, and the sick all crawled forward to arrive. The śramaṇas proclaimed to the fourfold assembly, saying: 'The Sovereign, out of the limitless and boundless great compassion of a bodhisattva, pities sentient beings to the very marrow of his bones. For this reason, he distributes the relics so that all under heaven may together create wholesome causes.' They also cited scriptural texts and various skillful means, rebuking and guiding them, with an earnestness and grief so deep that their tears fell like rain. The assembly single-mindedly joined their palms and touched their right knees to the ground. The śramaṇas then read aloud the confession text, which said: 'The imperial disciple of the Buddha who has received the bodhisattva precepts, so-and-so, respectfully addresses all Buddhas of the ten directions and the three times, all dharmas, and all worthy and holy saṃgha: This disciple has received the blessings and protection of the triratna to become the sovereign father of the common people. I desire, together with all the populace, to jointly attain bodhi. Now I wish to distribute relics to the various prefectures to erect stupas, hoping to cause all to cultivate wholesome karma universally and jointly ascend to the wondrous fruition. For the sake of this disciple, the Empress, the Crown Prince, Guang, the various princes, grandsons, and descendants, the inner and outer officials, all living beings of both the hidden and manifest realms of the entire dharmadhātu, and those in the three evil destinies and eight difficulties, we confess, repent, and circumambulate the path. We respectfully invite the constantly abiding Buddhas of the ten directions, the profound Dharma repository of the twelve divisions of scriptures, the honored bodhisattvas, and all the worthy and holy ones. May you arouse great compassion, accept the invitation of this disciple and the others, and descend to this bodhimaṇḍa to bear witness to this disciple's open confession on behalf of all sentient beings.' Thereupon, they made prostrations according to the Dharma and all received the three refuges. The śramaṇas further proclaimed: 'The imperial disciple of the Buddha who has received the bodhisattva precepts, so-and-so, universally confesses and reveals, on behalf of all sentient beings, the ten types of evil karma committed since beginningless time—whether committed by oneself, causing others to commit them, or rejoicing upon seeing them committed. Due to the causal conditions of these offenses, one falls into hell, the animal realm, or the realm of hungry ghosts; or, if born among humans, one suffers short lifespans, abundant illnesses, baseness, poverty, false views, and crooked duplicity, burdened by defilements and deluded thoughts, unable to awaken on one's own. Now, receiving the radiant embrace of the Tathāgata's compassionate light, we only now become aware of those numerous offenses. With profound minds of remorse and unending fear, we openly confess and repent before the triratna. Relying on the sun of the Buddha's wisdom, we pray that all may be extinguished. From this present body until the attainment of Buddhahood, we vow never again to commit such offenses.' When the assembly heard these words, they felt intense sorrow, intense joy, intense shame, and intense dread, engraving it upon their hearts and carving it into their bones. Those who gave wealth, clothing, or cut their hair to offer as alms were beyond count. Day after day, they held great vegetarian feasts together, performed repentance rituals, and received the precepts, requesting that from now on they would cultivate good and sever evil, and in life after life, generation after generation, always be subjects of the Great Sui. Old and young, Chinese and foreigners alike, all made this vow. Even butchers, hunters, and cruel bandits personally turned their thoughts to goodness. When the relics were about to enter the reliquary, the assembly crowded around, choking the paths. The śramaṇas held high the jeweled bottles and made a circuit to show them to the fourfold assembly. Everyone wiped their eyes, looked intently, and together beheld the radiance. The sounds of mournful longing and weeping roared like thunder, moving heaven and earth. Wherever [the relics] were enshrined, it was entirely like this. The true body having already responded, the divine stupas will perpetually endure; all under heaven gaze in reverence and take refuge, and the blessings will multiply day by day without end.