廣弘明集 28.55

28.55

郢州某甲敬白。竊以布金須達。表精舍於給園。影石仙人。造伽藍於離越。莫不事表區中心憑真外。但四纏惑惱。去善源而無滌。五濁重繭。非慧刃而安揮。故以愍彼濕薪傷茲渧器。今於郢州某山。為十方僧建立招提寺。縈負郊原面帶城雉。枕倚巖壑吐納煙雲。重門洞啟。未創飛行之殿。步櫩中宿。猶寡密石之功。嚴飾之理難階。瓶鉢之資已罄。道俗儻能微留善念薄獎勝緣。則事等觀香義同錫乘。昔人修檀手雨七寶。前賢薄施掌出雙金。福有冥移言無多遜謹白。

So-and-so of Yingzhou respectfully speaks: I have humbly heard that Sudatta, who covered the ground with gold, manifested a vihāra in the Jetavana; the ṛṣi of the shadow stone built a saṅghārāma at Revata. In every case, their deeds manifested in this world, while their minds relied upon the transcendent realm. But with the four fetters of delusion and affliction, we are distant from the source of good without cleansing; in the five turbidities of heavy calluses, without the blade of wisdom how could one cut through? Therefore, pitying that damp firewood and lamenting this leaky vessel, we now establish a monastery for the saṅgha of the ten directions on a certain mountain in Yingzhou. It coils around and backs onto the suburban plains, facing the city parapets; leaning against crags and ravines, it exhales and inhales mists and clouds. Multiple gates are opened wide, though the soaring palace is not yet founded; walking beneath eaves through midnight, the craft of dense stonework is still scarce. The work of majestic adornment is difficult to reach, and the resources of bowl and bottle are already exhausted. If monastic and lay people could slightly retain good thoughts and modestly encourage supreme conditions, then the matter would be like the observation of incense, and the meaning identical to the gift of a vehicle. In ancient times, those who cultivated dāna rained down the seven treasures from their hands; former worthies who gave slight offerings brought forth double gold from their palms. Merit has unseen transfers, and words have no excess modesty. Respectfully spoken.