集沙門不應拜俗等事 1.5

1.5

The Emperor, mounting thunder, shakes the celestial pole; flashing lightning, he blazes from the palace. Driving nine mottled coursers, he gallops afar; riding eight wings, he crosses the vast heavens. Cherishing the style of high crags, he established the Crane Park in the divine capital; looking up to conversion along the Heavenly River, he built the terrace in the sacred land. He widely manifests the fine patterns of guidance and gathers support, cultivating the grand model of love and reverence. Yet, holding that ruling the state must depend on loyalty, and managing the family truly relies on filial piety, an order was issued that monks and nuns should render the ceremony of kneeling and prostrating. The Emperor harbored a broad mind, inquiring into general norms through the administrative offices; from deep affection and concern, he collected public sentiment among the noble ministers. Although clamorous debates clashed as each expressed his views, the imperial heart examined them all and ultimately followed the customary ways. Especially mindful of the deep debt to parents, he still required the bowing upon ascending the ancestral hall. Master Yancong has an empty mind of tranquil serenity, an eminent capacity of graceful elegance; his distant tone is forceful and clear, his lofty register leisurely and free. The fortress of his body is quiet without waves; flying a precious blade, he reaches the sky. The tree of his mind spreads luxuriantly, lifting prized tips to brush the Milky Way. Having thoroughly mastered the essentials of the nine schools of literati, he went on to fathom the subtleties of the two canons. The monastic community admires his fine conduct; the lay companions look up to his illustrious prestige. Truly, he is one who walks alongside those floating on cups and matches those who fly with staffs! Fearing that confused beings with prejudiced learning and narrow-minded knowledge might take the expedient means of worldly adaptation as the ultimate truth of realizing reality, and wishing to appeal to the Phoenix Gate without success, or knock on the imperial palace without a way forward, he thereupon gave rise to a mind of protection and undertook this clarifying work. From the Jin dynasty down to our sacred era, all discussions concerning the matter of bowing were collected and recorded. Compiled into three sections, they are divided into six fascicles. He composed praises and treatises for them, standardizing them into an accessible path. The ornate doctrines resonate with splendor; the polished words shine with radiance. Truly, this serves to inspire profound insight and wash clean the dark ford! I, Yinke, have slight learning and meager talent; my fame is barren and my insight shallow. Sitting in the misty suburbs, I hide my traces; lodging by the windy door, I settle my spirit. Merely because I have long cherished the Buddhist texts and deeply revered the palm leaves, I rejoice in this splendid achievement, composing this preface for it. The faint glow of an autumn firefly cannot assist the radiance of the blazing sun; the humble sound of a spring frog can hardly supplement the music of the grand court orchestra. I offer this merely to express my sentiment—how could it be called exhibiting literary talent? To those who share my aspirations, I hope you will not mock me.