集古今佛道論衡 3.26

3.26

Empress Taimu. Mournful tears flowed copiously, and the monks all wept. He then personally composed a vow text, saying: “The Emperor, a disciple of the bodhisattva precepts, bows his head in worship before the Buddhas of the ten directions, the bodhisattvas, the noble Saṅgha, and the assembly of heavenly dragons. The ultimate principle is coagulated and serene; the Dao transcends names and words. Great compassion and skillful means gather and guide in accord with capacities; rescuing from the ocean of suffering with the boat of wisdom, brightening the heavy darkness with the sun of discernment. Opening illumination and delivering across is inconceivable. I, your disciple, suffered misfortune early on and was prematurely struck by partial calamity. Looking back on the kindness of nurture, I always think of the distance of the compassionate countenance; weeping blood with a broken heart, I can never reach her. Wailing to heaven and stamping on the earth, where can I rest my body? The years and months do not stay; heat and cold swiftly change. The pain of bitter grief is present on this very day. Filial respect and care have already ceased; myriad regrets cannot be recalled. The depth of this unjust affliction—how could a hundred lives redeem it? Only with sincere devotion do I take refuge in the Triratna, reverently offering a vegetarian feast at Hongfu Bodhimaṇḍa, and bestowing pure wealth to serve as dāna offerings, using this merit on behalf of the departed spirit. May her mind awaken to the unproduced, and her spirit migrate to Abhirati; spurring a dark-blue steed to enter the city of incense, ascending golden steps to mount the jewel hall; disporting in Dharma joy and roaming freely in the pure land; perpetually sheltered by the Dharma cloud, constantly tasting sweet dew; quickly realizing bodhi and early ascending to right awakening. May all within the six paths and the four modes of birth share in this vow.” The emperor said to the monks: “Recently, because Lord Lao is my ancestral forebear, and honoring ancestors and esteeming kin is the foundation of living beings, I therefore placed him in front. You masters must surely feel deep regret.” Daoyi, the abbot of the temple, respectfully replied: “Your Majesty respects and honors your ancestors so that all under Heaven may make it a standard. We monks have received the heavy kindness of the state, and practice the Dao with peaceful minds. When the imperial decree was issued, all were greatly delighted; how could we dare feel regret?” The emperor said: “Just because my ancestral forebear is placed in front, could he truly be greater than the Buddha? Ever since the state was founded, where has a separate Daoist abbey ever been built? All meritorious deeds have been dedicated to Buddhist temples. At the beginning of the battles within the realm, there was none where I did not wholeheartedly take refuge in the Buddha. Now that the realm is greatly pacified, Buddhist temples have been established in all the places of battle; even at my original residence and for my deceased mother, only Buddhist temples have been erected. My reverence has its proper place, where I take refuge with all my life. You masters should understand my heart. Those Daoists merely study and follow my ancestral forebear, hence their position is placed in front. Now the Li family holds the realm, so Lao Li is in front; if the Buddhist family were to govern and transform, then the Buddhist tradition would occupy the superior rank. Is this not fair?” The monks arose and expressed their thanks. The emperor said: “Be seated. This is merely the thought of a disciple. If not recounted, it would not be known. The weather is very hot and the rooms are cramped; how can you dwell here? Now there are donated materials that can be used to construct back rooms, so that the monks may practice the Dao with spacious ease.” The remaining words are mostly not recorded. When the affair concluded, he returned to the palace.