廣弘明集 19.22

19.22

The prince also wrote to the governor of Nanjun, Liu Jingren, saying: 'Last winter, through you, I sent a letter to Layman Liu. This spring I received his reply; its phrasing is lively and full of literary brilliance, truly possessing the brush and paper of Ziyun and the correspondence of Yuanyu. Rereading it with sighs of admiration, my reverence and longing grew even greater. This gentleman embraces truth and holds uncarved jade, his tone harmonizing with the clouds and mist. Turning his back on the vulgar to dwell in seclusion, he lodges his joy among forests and sandbanks. Nurturing his aspirations in southern Jing, his value rivals the jade of Bian He; concealing his brilliance in the garb of Chu, his radiance matches the pearl of Sui. Though the leisurely ease of Yan and Duan and the tranquil serenity of Yang and Zheng be taken, when compared with this man, they can truly be spoken of in the same day. Moreover, his nature in the Way is naturally vast, and his dhyāna mind is inherently calm. Deeply delighting in the ninefold division of scriptures, he relishes the three vehicles. For a householder bodhisattva to practice it is not difficult; for a white-robed layman to approach it is easy. He has vowed to illumine the darkness and haze with the torch of wisdom, to rescue those sinking and drowning with the bridge of the Dharma, to fan the lingering wind of the sacred crags, and to mirror the peerless form of the chaste forest. Since my aspirational lodging is the same as his, our affinity of heart is all the deeper. Yet the expansive imperial parks are separated by rivers and mountains; even if spiritual powers allow distant communion in the dark, how could that compare to baring and unravelling our innermost thoughts at dawn, clarifying the obscure purports, discussing the middle path of arising and cessation, and investigating the true truths of the ultimate and the conventional? Therefore, I send another separate letter, inviting him to come to the metropolitan capital. When you inquire after his health in the Way, please urge and invite him fully. These orchid mountains and cassia waters are ample for wandering at ease; companions of Confucianism and the dark doctrine also visit in abundance. This is not to add a single rank of nobility, nor is it merely a token of summon with flags and reeds; it is simply pouring out my sincere feelings in the dark, hoping he will surely understand mystically. Should he suddenly deign to come, I trust you will provide him with travel expenses in due time.'