廣弘明集 27.13

27.13

On the evening of the eighteenth, in the outer bureau of the Hualin Gate, I received my younger brother's letter of the first day of the ninth month; it greatly comforted my anxious longing. The autumn weather is chilly and pure, just as usual. The affairs of the province, whether many or few, are not enough to exhaust you; the atmosphere of Hao and Liang is no different from ordinary days. All is reasonably pleasant, with occasional joyful occasions. Gentlemen-errant and literary guests have recently been engaged in conversation and appreciation; how does attending and following one another to the end of banquets compare with these recent days? Your work on annotating the Han history is progressing in good order; my longing to see this book is worse than hunger and distress. Having been favoured with receiving the Bodhisattva precepts and being numbered among the Great Beings, on this twelfth day I made a private confession in the Eastern City. At dawn on the seventeenth, I entered Baoyun early. The jade gates shone in the sun, and the bronze dragons exhaled mist; the red spring held reflections, and the blue lotuses exhaled fragrance. Dharma companions formed crowds, and golden mountains filled the seats. Body and mind were joyful, having attained what was never before had. Yesterday morning there was a Dharma gathering at Pingdeng Temple; after midday, I held it without hindrance. The imperial countenance graced the seat, his venerable appearance personally bearing witness; though there were many bowings and prostrations, my fatigue was suddenly dismissed. When my crown was shaved, this mind was exceptionally earnest. My mind and mouth schemed of themselves, wishing to cut it all away. There was no doubting Ma Yuan's talk of dispatching lice, nor shrinking from Ying's satirical verse on the red jar. Sengjin presided over discussions no differently from the past; questioning Jin throughout the day was quite equal to [Confucius questioning] Zilu. Drawing lots to select a name, the name was called Yinli ('According with Principle'). The imperial sentiment granted approval, and it is now respectfully practiced. Yesterday after late afternoon, I returned to where I reside. Xu Chi, Yu Wu, and Qiang are constantly here day and night. Jingyuan is on duty and occasionally comes to my side, but does not act in an unconstrained or unusual manner; in times of leisure, he gradually practices rules and manners, wishing to avoid the post of Jiuquan. Since Yin and Wang have departed, our sincere talks have been all the more extended. The Marquis of Linru has recently been indisposed with illnesses, and his visits to the palace are rather rare. In between, messengers have kept us from being out of touch. Jian, concurrently Director of the Household, when serving as Groom, occasionally uttered a few words of conversation, engaging in debate. The Marquis going east to govern has once again brought about separation; Mount Heng and Mount Jiuyi will soon receive your passage. Standing at the fork in the road there are sighs, and gazing at the waters there are laments. Yet ever since I arrived at the capital, my mind and will have been dazed and bewildered; although I open my mouth and laugh, I do not attain true joy. I have not drunk wine for nearly twenty periods of ten days; Zigong's sober madness naturally has no reason. I know from several letters from the elders that they described my travels. I just recalled following the route through Jiangxia, setting out westward on the flow; the days and months easily come and go, and it is already late autumn. But Wei Shu has the distress of Changju and the disaster of being laughed at; his arts differ from Ge Xian, while his form equals Xun Xu. Brother, please provide him with provisions and food, and specifically manage things for him, turning misfortune into fortune like the old man of the northern border. Ever since we parted, my sorrowful memories have redoubled; sighs accumulate with the months, and thoughts whirl with the seasons. Whenever there is a westward wind, it is like stroking my thighs. The date of our meeting is not yet known. Looking toward the Jade Ridge, I quietly face the Golden Gate; the depth of my anxious yearning never ceases. Take good care of yourself. This reply is brief. Written by Gang.