集沙門不應拜俗等事 1.26

1.26

Xuan bows twice and knocks his head. The eighth day is approaching. Why did the śramaṇas of old all fail to show reverence to the ruler? Although He [Chong] and Yu [Bing] previously debated it, both followed merely their own views; neither brought the other to submit by means of principle. Yu's intention was to exalt the sovereign, yet his grounds of reasoning were incomplete. He [Chong] proceeded from partial belief and consequently degraded the institutional order. Now, although the transforming influence of the Buddha is vast and unbounded, reaching beyond seeing and hearing, it nonetheless takes reverence as its foundation; in this respect, there is no difference. The ultimate attainment they seek may be extraordinary, but that does not mean respectful deference should be abolished. Laozi counted kings and lords among the Three Greats; examining what he valued, it all resides in sustaining life and facilitating fortune. How could it be merely because a sage occupies the throne that he is equated with Heaven and Earth? It is because the great virtue of Heaven and Earth is called life, and the sustenance of life and governing of things depend upon the king. Therefore, his sacred vessel is exalted, and the rites accorded to him are truly grand. How could this be an empty elevation, with its significance resting merely on the ruler's control? The very reason śramaṇas are able to sustain their lives and survive is also their daily reliance on the ruler's governance and mandate. How could they receive his virtue yet omit his rites, or partake of his kindness yet discard their reverence? This is both impermissible in principle and unsettling to the feelings. As this is a momentous affair of an entire generation, we ought together to seek an equitable resolution. I hope we can examine and exhaust it together, so that by the eighth day a detailed decision may be reached. Huan Xuan bows twice and knocks his head, respectfully stating.