續集古今佛道論衡 1.29

1.29

帝聞此言。心大歡喜。摩騰法師復語曰。陛下往修福業得為天下主。既遇正法。復能信心奉敬。方欲引導群生指於歸處。此是開基之功恩加萬葉。菩薩之行功德難量。

The Emperor, hearing these words, was greatly delighted. Dharma Master [Kāśyapa] Mātaṅga spoke again, saying, 'In the past Your Majesty cultivated meritorious deeds to become the ruler of the realm. Having encountered the True Dharma, you are further able to faithfully revere it and are about to guide the multitude of living beings, pointing them to their refuge. This is the achievement of laying a foundation whose grace extends to ten thousand generations; it is a bodhisattva's practice, whose merit is immeasurable.'