集沙門不應拜俗等事 6.18

6.18

東臺。若夫華裔列聖。異軫而齊驅。中外裁風。百慮而同致。自周霄隕照漢夢延輝。妙化西移慧流東被。至於玄牝邃旨碧落希聲。具開六順之基。偕叶五常之本。而於愛敬之地。忘乎跪拜之儀。其來永久罔革茲弊朕席圖登政崇真導俗。凝襟解脫之津。陶思常名之境。正以尊親之道禮經之格言。孝友之義詩人之明准。豈可以絕塵峻範。而忘恃怙之敬。拔累貞規。迺遺溫清之序。前欲令道士女官僧尼等致拜。將恐振駭恒心爰俾詳定。有司咸引典據兼陳情理。沿革二塗紛綸相半。朕商攉群議沈研幽賾。然箕頴之風高尚其事遐想前載。故亦有之。今於君處勿須致拜。其父母之所慈育彌深。祇伏斯曠更將安設自今已後即宜跪拜。主者施行。

From the Eastern Terrace: As for the sage rulers of the central and outer regions, their carriages were different yet they ran abreast; the conventions tailored within and without involved a hundred thoughts yet arrived at the same result. Since the light descended in the Zhou sky and the Han dream prolonged its radiance, the subtle transformation shifted westward and the flow of wisdom was poured out eastward. As for the profound meaning of the Mysterious Female and the rare voice of the Azure Heaven, they fully unfolded the foundation of the six compliances and together harmonized with the root of the five constants. Yet in the realm of love and reverence, they have forgotten the etiquette of kneeling and prostrating. This has been for a long time, and this defect has not been reformed. Taking Our seat upon the charts and ascending to governance, We revere the true and guide the secular, focusing Our mind upon the ferry of liberation, and steeping Our thoughts in the realm of the constant name. It is precisely because the way of honoring parents is the standard maxim of the ritual classics, and the duty of filial piety and fraternal respect is the clear model of the poets. How can one, on account of lofty rules that cut off dust, forget reverence for parents? How can one, through upright norms that extirpate burdens, neglect the order of warming and cooling? Previously We wished to have Daoist priests, Daoist priestesses, monks, nuns, and others offer homage, but fearing it would shock constant minds, We had it deliberated and decided. The relevant officials all cited canonical evidence and simultaneously set forth feelings and reasons; the two paths of continuity and change were equally divided in their discussions. We have weighed the various deliberations and deeply investigated the subtle mysteries. Indeed, the style of Mount Ji and the Ying River held its pursuit aloft, and in looking back to earlier ages, it was also present. Now, toward the ruler, they need not offer homage. As for their parents, their loving nurture is profoundly deep; neglecting this reverence and submission, where else could it be established? From this time forward, they should immediately kneel and prostrate. Let the responsible authorities carry this out.