續集古今佛道論衡 1.49

1.49

At that time, the Dharma Master emitted a great Brahmā sound, wondrous and supreme, praising the inconceivable merit of the Buddha, and also bade the great assembly praise the Three Jewels and extol the good Dharma. He then expounded for the great assembly the Dharma of causes and conditions regarding humans, devas, and the hells; or expounded the Abhidharma teachings of the Hīnayāna; or expounded the Mahāyāna teachings; or expounded the Dharma of repentance and extinguishing transgressions; or expounded the Dharma of the merit of renouncing the household. Having heard the Dharma, the members of the assembly each gave rise to a mind of rare wonder. At that time, the Minister of Works, Liu Shanjun, Marquis of Yangcheng, addressed the Dharma Master, saying, "Venerable, gazing upward just now at your wisdom, it has the same measure as the ocean; it is not something that we ordinary mortals can fathom. We wish to rely upon the Great Being to renounce the household and provide personal service. We pray you will grant your permission." The Dharma Master said, "For the great assembly to generate the resolve to renounce the household is a condition for the karma of liberation. But you, kind sir, are each bound by official obligations to the king; this is not mine to grant." The Emperor then stepped forward and addressed the Dharma Master, "Hitherto, I was constantly confused by the mixture of the true and the false, lacking the wisdom to distinguish them. Having received the illumination of the Dharma mirror, I now know where true reality returns. In this gathering today, if any of the Daoist masters, officials, common people, or women are able to renounce the household, I shall personally shave their heads, provide them all with the three robes, water jar, and alms bowl, and establish separate monasteries to honor them and have them study the teachings of the Way." The Dharma Master praised him, saying, "Excellent, excellent! The Emperor's merit is inconceivable."