廣弘明集 16.53

16.53

Divine responses are subtle and distant, leaving no traces that can be pursued. When the path of the mind is illumined and unimpeded, whatever evokes resonance meets with compliance. Our Emperor, embodying the spiritual and presiding over the ultimate realm, draws upon sagely wisdom and looks down upon the celestial sphere. Both the unseen and the manifest form a unified order; there is none whose thought does not submit. When the two primal forces harmonize their virtues, and the five essences assist in transforming [all], they penetrate down to the deep springs below and reach up to the azure heavens above. Heaven ceases not its auspicious omens, and Earth does not extinguish its felicitous portents. The ten abodes are faintly glimpsed amid the forested precincts; arhats make their mysterious presence felt in the clear night. The white curl raises like the moon, casting its brilliance into the Brahma chambers; wonderful feet tread with spiritual pace, pacing the pepper-plastered halls. As for affairs recorded on silk and bamboo, which already manifest auspicious blueprints, they all gather like drifting clouds and accumulating mists, filling the tablets and covering the records. The thrice-hooked black [stars] reappear after a thousand ages; the bright, rich dew falls before the phoenix canopy to moisten the palace steps. None of these were recorded in the days of Shun; they were rarely bestowed during the reign of Yao. How could they merely be the red bird fluttering its colors, or the black millet mutually gathering? Fine jade came from afar from the northern Rong, traversing the Ruoshui to submit its substance—its lucid moisture and rare wonder, unviewed across ages. White metal recently issued from the eastern mountains, cleaving hidden cliffs to reveal portents—overflowing cliff and peak, uncarved by the vast spirits. Even the exceptional gift of the white ring and the precious jade of candle-silver are utterly nothing compared to this. Metal and stone are hard as shells, not substances that float or swim. Were it not for virtue honed in hidden progression and a stimulus reaching its utmost to move the spirits, how could an unyielding, sinking substance transform to reveal a light, floating appearance? In the seventh year of the Yongming era, in a certain month, there was an auspicious stone that set forth afar from the heavenly ford. Drifting upon the sea, it rode the tide and turned back to arrive from afar. Manifesting its wonder at the Zhe River, it presented its rarity to the forbidden park. Its luster equaled carnelian and jade; its color matched refined gold. The Emperor looked with regard upon the easy opening of the mysterious portal and praised the unfathomable ways of the hidden response. Though the analysis of phenomenal affairs remains silent and detached, in accordance with the mind it is within a mere cubit. Loving its unswerving, constant nature and praising its enduring form, [he thought] nothing better than to depict the wondrous image with candana incense and render the remaining likeness in the Jetavana forest. Thereupon he commanded famed craftsmen to engrave and carve it. The spiritual marks and auspicious blossoms were as splendid as divine creations. As for the remnants of carving and chiseling, the discarded fragments and off-cuts, whether square or round, small or large, all sank upon touching water. The carriages were stayed and the imperial retinue halted to personally inspect and test it. Truly, it was because the Dharma-body was lodged within it that it did not drown in the abyss of sinking jade; once split and separated, it required the water of floating gold. How consummate an auspicious omen! So marvelous is it! Daring to inscribe this precious gift, may it bring everlasting blessings to gods and humans. Its verse says: