廣弘明集 10.45

10.45

[Dao]lin, seeing that the Buddhadharma had been ruined and drowned, risked death to present his petition. The Emperor's mind was obstinate and adhered to his position, and did not follow what was argued. Though the debate had been brilliant, it ultimately did not fulfill his original wish. Hearing that in Chang'an, after the teaching had been abolished, the Tongdao Monastery was established separately, where what was studied was only Laozi and Zhuangzi, and they were fond of presenting empty discourses to synthesize and expound the Three Teachings, he hoped to use the prestige of doctrinal debate to make the Buddhist canon shine forth. He then submitted a memorial: ten śramaṇas of doctrinal study from the city of Yecheng, all intelligent, elevated, and luminous, requested to be admitted to the Tongdao Monastery. When the Emperor saw the memorial, he immediately said: "If you enter the Tongdao Monastery, you will study very well; there will be none without ultimate discourses, and it will be of great benefit in remedying your own defects." He then provided a meal, and when it was finished, said: "You may pack your baggage and enter the Pass; the rest of the group should draw back." On the first day of the fifth month, he arrived at the Yanshou Hall in Chang'an and was granted an audience. On the twenty-fourth day, the Emperor went to Yunyang Palace. On the first day of the sixth month, the Emperor died. Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne in Tongzhou. On the thirteenth day of the ninth month, the Grand Minister of Rites, Duke of Qi, finished presenting a memorial. The Emperor granted it, saying: "The Buddhist principles are vast; the Way is exceedingly subtle and profound. Promoting and implementing them has its principles; the Dharma must be investigated. Submitting repeated memorials like this, however, risks causing delay and transgression." [Dao]lin memorialized: "The matter I originally presented was only for the flourishing of the Dharma. I have repeatedly offered earnest petitions solely wishing for its prompt implementation. Now Your Sagely Majesty has approved it, and the Deliberation Office has memorialized the decision; high and low are harmonious, and there is certainly no discordant intent. Once it is promulgated in a day, the whole world will rejoice. What more would I dare to say?" By the fifteenth day of the first month of the first year of Dacheng [579 CE],