廣弘明集 28.98

28.98

門下皇居帝邑揆日瞻星。仞雉有常几席斯在。雖今古推移文質代變。而成世作範。義貴適時。朕奄家四海作孚萬國。當陽負扆深存庇甿。濟下利物無忘懷抱。昭仁訓儉不遺造次。今臨嚮聽朝咸極崇廣。宴息之所不乏溫華。每謂為之者勞。居之者逸。至於離宮別館。有時遊幸。耳目所及聊可忘懷。而乃千門洞啟萬柱周架。上迫雲漢下臨雷雨。巧極金銅麗殫珠璧眷然長想。良非宿心。三臺並列蕪穢自久。天保之末。經構甫興。仍創棟宇。規摹宏博。有司過實匠人逞巧。萌庶勞止縻費難量。既非殿寢正所。便為虛衛之地。凝華生白經歷歲年。不剪茅茨事頗逼下。卑其宮室有可庶幾。顧茲侈麗豈伊寧處。自魏朝失政。九域崩離人神無主。實求明聖。我太祖獻武皇帝。握茲乾紀執斯地絡。懸持日月嘯吒風雲。糺忠貞以成務。感靈徵而大造。爰以克定之初。躬圖道場之業。神迹冥果理燭幽明。朕嗣應寶祚永惟家祉。仰祇先志尚竦玄門。思展聿修之重。念歸喜捨之大。肌膚匪悋國城何寶。期濟率土至於圓極。可以三臺宮為大興聖寺。此處極土木之壯。窮丹素之妍。奇怪備於刻削。光華畢於圖彩。顧使靈心肹饗神物奔會。真覺惟寂有感必通。化為淨土廣延德眾。心若瑠璃法輪常轉。灑甘露於大千。照慈燈於曠劫。

From the Chancellery: In royal dwellings and imperial capitals, one measures the sun and observes the stars; heights and lengths have their regular standards, and tables and mats are set in place. Although the past and present change and refine and substance alternate, when creating models for the world, value lies in suiting the times. We embrace the four seas as our family and serve as an exemplar for the myriad states. Facing south behind the screen, We deeply ponder protecting the people; to deliver those below and benefit living beings, We never forget this in Our heart. Illustrating benevolence and teaching frugality, We do not neglect this even for an instant. At present, the halls for holding court and listening to affairs of state are all extremely lofty and expansive, and places for resting and dining do not lack warmth and elegance. We always consider that those who build them labor, while those who dwell in them rest. As for detached palaces and separate lodges, where We occasionally travel and tour, they are merely places for the ears and eyes to relax. Yet thousands of gates are wide open and myriad pillars stand arrayed; above, they press against the Milky Way, and below, they overlook thunder and rain. The artistry of gold and bronze is exhausted, and the beauty of pearls and jade is spent. Reflecting deeply upon this, it is truly not Our original intention. The Three Terraces have stood side by side, overgrown with weeds for a long time. At the end of the Tianbao era, construction was just initiated, and buildings were continually erected upon an immense scale. The officials exceeded reality, and the craftsmen displayed their ingenuity; the common people were weary, and the wasted expenditures were hard to measure. Since it is not the proper place for main halls and bedchambers, it became an empty guarded ground. Condensing splendor and producing empty space, years have passed. Not trimming the thatched eaves was rather close to humility; making the palace chambers low is something to be aspired to. Beholding this extravagance, how could this be where We peacefully reside? Since the Wei dynasty lost its governance, the nine domains fell apart, and humans and spirits had no lord; truly, they sought an enlightened sage. Our Grand Ancestor, Emperor Xianwu, held the heavenly bonds and grasped the terrestrial nets; he suspended the sun and moon, and whistled and bellowed the wind and clouds. Marshalling loyalty and uprightness to accomplish tasks, he responded to spiritual omens and achieved the great creation. Thereupon, at the beginning of pacifying the realm, he personally planned the enterprise of a bodhimanda. Spiritual traces and unseen fruits, their principle illuminates both the hidden and the manifest. We have inherited the precious succession and ever ponder the family's blessings. Reverently obeying Our late father's intentions, We still look up to the mysterious gate. Thinking to extend the gravity of following his deeds, and mindful of returning to the greatness of joyful renunciation: when even flesh and skin are not begrudged, how could the national capital be treasured? We resolve to deliver the whole land to reach the ultimate perfection. The Three Terraces Palace may be made into the Daxingsheng Monastery. This place represents the height of timber and stonework, exhausting the beauty of cinnabar and white pigment. Strange and rare forms are fully displayed in carving; brilliance and radiance are entirely exhausted in paintings. Let it cause spiritual minds to enjoy offerings and wondrous spirits to converge. The True Awakened One is completely tranquil, yet whenever there is a feeling, there is surely a response. May it be transformed into a pure land and broadly welcome the virtuous assembly. May their minds be like lapis lazuli and the wheel of Dharma turn constantly, sprinkling amṛta across the great chiliocosm, and shining the lamp of compassion across vast kalpas.