廣弘明集 25.36

25.36

竊以凡百在位。雖存敬上之道。當其為師尚有不臣之義。況佛之垂法事超俗表。剔髮同於毀傷。擁錫異乎簪紱。出家非色養之境。離塵豈策名之地。功深濟度道極崇高。何必破彼玄門牽斯儒轍。披釋服而為孔拜。處俗塗而當法禮。存其教而毀其道。求其福而屈其身。再三研覈謂乖通理。又道之為教雖全髮膚。出家超俗其歸一揆。加以遠標天構大啟皇基。義藉尊嚴式符高尚。並仍舊貫無點彝章。如必改作恐非稽古。雖君親崇敬用軫神衷。道法難虧還留睿想。既奉詢芻之詔。敢罄塵嶽之誠。懼不愜允。追深戰惕。

We humbly consider that although all who occupy official posts observe the way of revering superiors, when someone acts as a teacher, there is still the principle of not treating him as a minister. How much more so when the Buddha bequeathed his teachings, his deeds transcending the bounds of the mundane! Shaving the hair is akin to self-mutilation; clasping the monk's staff is different from court headwear and ribbons. Leaving home is not the domain of material filial support; departing from the dust is hardly the place to register one's name in state service. Its merit is profound in salvation, and its Way reaches the summit of height and nobility. Why must one breach that dark gate and drag it into these Confucian tracks, donning Śākya robes yet performing Confucius's bows, or treading mundane paths yet receiving Dharma etiquette? To preserve its teaching yet ruin its Way, or to seek its blessings yet bend its body—re-examining and investigating this again and again, we deem it contrary to universal principle. Moreover, although Daoism as a teaching preserves the hair and skin intact, leaving home and transcending the mundane share the same single principle. In addition, reaching back to mark the heavenly foundation and greatly opening the imperial basis, the principle relies on veneration and dignity, so as to conform to lofty nobility. Both should follow old precedent, without staining the enduring statutes. If changes must be made, we fear it would not be following antiquity. Although the emperor's reverence for ruler and parents moves his spiritual heart, the difficulty of diminishing the Dharma of the Way will yet linger in his sagely thoughts. Having received the edict soliciting grassroots counsel, we dare to exhaust the sincerity of dust and mountains. Fearing our words may not be agreeable, we are deeply seized by trembling and dread.