集沙門不應拜俗等事 2.24

2.24

桓楚得廬山遠公書及論。以太亨二年十二月三日。乃下詔停沙門致敬事。詔曰。門下佛法宏誕所未能了。推其篤至之情故。寧與其敬耳。今事既在己苟所不了。且當寧從其略。諸人勿復使禮也。便皆使聞知。

Huan Chu received the letter and treatise from Master Yuan of Mount Lu. On the third day of the twelfth month of the second year of Taiheng, he issued an edict halting the matter of śramaṇas paying reverence. The edict stated: 'The Chancellery: The Buddha's Dharma is vast and grandiose, which we cannot fully comprehend. Inferring their earnest sincerity, we would rather grant them their reverence. Now the matter rests with ourself; if it is indeed not understood, we should rather follow their omission. Let no one cause them to perform homage anymore. Make this known to all.'