廣弘明集 21.59

21.59

Xiao Ying, Founding Marquis of Guangxin District, [states:] with trepidation, subject to capital punishment. Your messenger arrived, and I respectfully received your instructions. Your pure discourse filled multiple sheets of paper, its literary elegance being immensely magnificent. Your consolations and advice were deep and affectionate. The frosty cold of recent days has been piercingly sharp; I prostrately hope that your daily life is harmonious and at ease, that your people are prosperous, and that without excess you do not overexert or diminish yourself. I, your humble subordinate, am dim of intellect, murky of understanding, shallow in learning, and a common mortal. Yet I was privileged to hold the scrolls on the jade steps and directly receive your teachings and doctrines; my ears partook of the amṛta and my mind received your imperial expositions. Your heavenly thoughts are profound and deep; your sagacious emotions are vast and arcane. The three vidyās shine in a single mirror, resolving stalled meanings in long-held confusion; the four unhindered eloquence having been displayed, they elucidate what is difficult to conceive, bringing sudden comprehension. Could it be that the Han Emperor's dream has drawn near again, and the sounds of Brahmā are once more propagated? Though the Jin emperors paid attention [to Buddhism], subtle words have only now truly appeared. Whenever I hasten to the jeweled banquet at dusk or ascend the vermilion steps at dawn, never do I fail to recall the sublime assembly in the Fragrant Grove and the Dharma-seat in the Mysterious Garden. Your Highness dragged your slippers at Baoyun, inquiring into the Way with leisurely ease; or spread your robes at Bowang, suddenly refuting difficult questions and breaking into a smile. At that time, I erroneously took a seat at the end of the mat, having the privilege to hear the pure discussions, personally attending to your spoken words, and frequently accompanying your countenance. As for the present lecture seats, Your Highness has restricted me to the sharing of Shaanxi; yet by error you bestowed heavenly praise that still reached your humble subordinate. Who would not admire your benevolence? How could anyone fail to cherish your virtue? With my whole heart turned toward the east, I constantly place reliance and admiration first. I, your humble subordinate, have long been benighted and have long admired you; though hearing the marvelous doctrine, my foolish mind is difficult to awaken. Just as I was about to gallop to my home district to inquire into doubts at your lower seat, suddenly I met with your command asking to seek my 'remaining ripples.' Perusing and reading it, I trembled in anxiety, looking up and down in shame and self-reproach, hoping this was but your gracious banter to bring a little ease to my humble sentiments. You should properly be the cloud of compassion and the ocean of wisdom; yet instead you look toward this depleted vessel. The shame of unwashed cloth truly belongs to my mediocre unworthiness. As my conditions of delusion have accumulated and the defilements of the dust are not yet extinguished, my recent bodily regimen erred from the proper course, and midway through I fell ill; thus I could not receive and attend to the end, missing hearing the final chapter. Vainly do I reproach myself, for it is ultimately tied to fate and conditions. I do not know how you soothe your spirit these days; perusing Confucian and historical texts might perhaps diminish your well-being. Whenever I inquire of the western couriers, I fully learn of your excellent virtues: I respectfully learn that you inspect and look out atop the Zhanghua terrace, or hear litigations beneath the sweet crabapple tree; never do your literary writings cease their profusion throughout the entire morning; and only after pure discourses and arcane discussions at midnight do you sleep. Guests of spring blossoms ascend to your right and enter your hall; visitors of autumn fruits take the vacant place to your left and enter your chamber. The masters of literature and the storehouses of doctrine are all assembled there. Only this is the greatest joy, truly verified in this era. Formerly, when traveling in the Liang Garden, I was favored with your deep regard; now, separated alone from your pure countenance, I have long been estranged from receiving and looking up to you. My devoted heart is already knotted with longing, and in speaking my thoughts, tears flow. I only hope your commands will from time to time grant me their grace. I prostrately hope you take precious care of yourself, and that shortly I may receive more of your teachings. Privately receiving your gracious instructions, I engrave my profound gratitude. Ying, deserving death, deserving death!