廣弘明集 25.78

25.78

On the Discussions on Bowing: Demonstrating that śramaṇas should pay homage. In ancient times, when the Sovereign Enlightened One ruled the world, he still allowed the sources of faith and slander to arise; how could it be only in the Semblance and Final ages that broad and disciplined arguments do not circulate? Recently, because the ocean of the Dharma is vast and spacious, and different kinds of people mingle together so that it is hard to distinguish them, defilements have touched the profound teachings. This has come to the attention of the imperial court, leading literal-minded scholars to abandon the Way and conform to human sentiments. Comparing and discussing it, this cannot be called a grand and far-reaching pronouncement. This is why I have investigated ancient precedents and criticized them accordingly, in the hope that gentlemen who revere the Buddha might examine them in detail.