廣弘明集 12.19

12.19

I have heard that in antiquity, when enlightened kings held themselves in reverent modesty and faced south, their wisdom encompassed heaven and earth, yet they did not plan on their own; their eloquence shaped the myriad things, yet they did not speak on their own. Why was this? It was because they toiled in seeking worthy men, and rested at ease in employing them; as long as they obtained the right persons, the realm governed itself. Therefore, they inquired after the Way in the Xuan Room and pondered governance in the Bright Hall; they surveyed affairs and divided official departments, conferring offices in accordance with directions. The Eight Harmonious Ones stood in rank and the Ten Capable Ministers served at court; thus they were able to preserve and assist the country and achieve peace for the altars of the soil and grain. Thereupon they propagated the transformation of compassion, relaxing taxes to succor the poor; they practiced the teaching of consummate benevolence, reducing punishments and showing caution in judicial trials. They spread virtuous benevolence so that those far away arrived and those near at hand were at peace; they established achievements, instituted rites, and composed music. This was consummate governance, worthy of being praised. Thus the Book says: 'Governing the state takes pacifying the people as its foundation; pacifying the people takes good officials as its root.' If one obtains the right persons, the state will be at peace; if they are not the right persons, the people will be in disorder. Hence we know that loyal ministers and good officials are capable of governing the state and pacifying the people. Yet one must venerate good, establish merit, plant fruits, and cultivate causes; one must reverently serve the spirits and luminaries and attend upon the holy shrines. How could one demolish stūpas, abolish shrines, merge monasteries, and expel monks? The spiritual deities serve as omens; one must be cautious regarding calamity and blessing. Yet [Fu] Yi is violent and perverse, exclusively indulging in wild talk; before the clear mirror of the Sagely Court, in principle there is no cause for perplexity.