集沙門不應拜俗等事 2.34

2.34

Under Emperor Xiaowu of the Song, in the ninth month of the sixth year of Daming, the officials in charge submitted a memorial, stating: "Your subjects have heard that profound contemplation and aloof composure do not seek loftiness for its own sake, nor are prostrations and bendings of the body intended merely to show respect and reverence. They are meant to extend and maintain the four cardinal bonds, and establish order throughout the eight realms. Thus, although Confucianism and Legalism have parted streams, and the School of Names and Mohism have branched into separate tenets, when it comes to honoring parents and revering superiors, there is never any deviation from their source. Only the teaching of the Buddha originated from the Dragon Mound; running counter to the classic texts and carrying forward traditions, its instructions are remote and its affairs recondite. Refining life and polishing consciousness are commonly considered difficult by ordinary folk. Its central tenets are distant, and its subtle words have been obscured and cut off. Being bound to the literal letter and blind to the Way, [its adherents] have become all the more rampant in recent times. They have consequently overstepped canonical standards, behaving haughtily toward the honored and their kin. They lose the subtle traces of adapting to circumstances, and are ignorant of the profound meaning of inheriting moral transformation. Now the Buddha's teaching takes humility and restraint as its discipline, and loyalty and devoutness as its way. The monk Never-Disparaging bowed to everyone he met; the śramaṇa Maudgalyāyana paid homage whenever he encountered an elder. How could one bend the knee to the four assemblies yet omit homage to one's two parents, or prostrate to seniors in monastic age while keeping a rigid posture before the lord of ten thousand chariots? Thus in the Xiankang era the debate was first raised, and in the Yuanxing era it was again expounded, but the matter was bent to partial factions and the proper Way was compromised by residual divisions. Now the vast source has thoroughly cleansed away defilements, and the myriad streams look up to it as a mirror; the myriad immortals present their treasures, and the hundred spirits stand in awe at their posts. Yet within the metropolitan domain there dwell commoners who do not act as subjects, and among the court mats there are entertained guests who claim equal etiquette. We fear this is not the way to unify moral customs and clearly demonstrate illustrious norms. We, your subjects, having conferred together, consider that when śramaṇas are granted an audience, they must completely fulfill the rites. Their reverent demeanor should adhere to the established court regulations. Then the court's decorum will be in order, and compliance with the proper norms will be fully achieved." The Emperor followed this.