廣弘明集 25.71

25.71

Śramaṇa Chongba says: Chongba has heard that the codes of the religious and the secular differ in form and mind: in form, monastics do not bow to sovereign or father, thereby manifesting the etiquette of leaving worldly life; in mind, their reverence extends to the three great elements, thereby honouring the weight of their upbringing. Recently, an imperial decree was received ordering monks not to bow to the sovereign, yet ordering them to bow to their parents. This exalts the rituals of love and respect, but is deficient concerning the teachings of the scriptures. While the Saṅgha jewel remains, it is treated with slight; while taking refuge and the precepts are lost, they are obscured for long. How could the sovereign open the path of lofty detachment without violating the Buddha's words, while subjects receive the ritual of prostrating themselves and directly contravene the sage's intent? This may be called: parents let their sons go to seek blessings, yet receiving their obeisance, they incur fault instead. One governance brings doubts, and two principles contradict each other. We humbly pray that the court follow the protocol of reverence toward the sovereign to extend to the etiquette of his subjects. Presumptuously troubling Your Majesty's presence, our trepidation mounts further. Respectfully spoken.