廣弘明集 25.66

25.66

梵網經云。出家人不向國王父母禮拜。順正理論云。國君不求比丘禮拜。玄教東漸六百餘年。上代皇王無不依經敬仰。洎乎聖帝遵奉成教彌隆。故得列剎相望精廬峙接。人知慕善家曉思𮘧。僧等忝在生靈。詎忘忠孝。明詔頒下率土咸遵。恐直筆史臣書乖佛教。萬代之後蕪穢皇風。

The Fanwang jing (Brahmajāla Sūtra) states: 'Those who have left home do not make obeisance to kings or parents.' The Nyāyānusāra-śāstra (Shun zhengli lun) states: 'Rulers of kingdoms do not demand that bhikṣus make obeisance.' Since the profound teaching gradually spread eastward over six hundred years ago, former sovereigns and kings without exception revered and respected it according to the scriptures. Reaching the sagely emperors [of the Tang], their adherence and devotion to the established teachings have grown even more prominent. Thus monastics behold monasteries in close succession, and pure abodes stand side by side; people know to admire good, and households understand how to seek blessings. We, the saṅgha, humbly count among living beings; how could we forget loyalty and filial piety? When the radiant decree was promulgated, the entire realm complied. We fear only that historians writing with upright brushes will record this as running contrary to the Buddha's teachings, and that ten thousand generations later it will sully the imperial prestige.