集沙門不應拜俗等事 5.28

5.28

In ritual there is nothing not revered, and the Teaching of Names is placed first. Sovereign and father are equally sustained; this is what the cardinal relationships esteem. Moreover, the Realized Man is good at placing himself below, finding subtlety in softening one's glare; the Bodhisattva Never Despising has his essential purpose in crushing arrogance. (The matter is as critiqued in the deliberation of the Chamberlain for the Palace Patrol.) These divergent thoughts arrive at the same destination; divided streams share the same source. This is that by which the hundred kings regulate order and fashion all things. Yet the companions of black and yellow have followed entrenched habits as ordinary customs, extinguishing love and respect for sovereign and parents, and practicing conceit toward the supreme pinnacle. Merely indulging private desires, (Critique: Śramaṇas cast off hair and beard, abandon worldly striving, and steadfastly preserve the Way without yielding; how could they be indulging private desires? The Book of Changes states: "Words are the hinge and spring of the gentleman; honor and disgrace reside therein." How can one not be cautious?) they casually throw the heavenly norm into disorder, staining the clear dust of Laixiang (Laozi's birthplace) and betraying the wondrous purports of the Lian River (where the Buddha entered parinirvāṇa). (Critique: The universal teachings at the Lian River all state that ordering śramaṇas to bow harms sovereign and parents. The pronouncements and edicts are manifest; how can one say they betray the purports?) Reflecting upon this in silent thought, it is truly chilling to the heart. (Critique: The Brahmājāla Sūtra states: "The rule for renunciants is not to pay homage to kings and parents." Also, the Satyakanirgrantha Sūtra states: "If a person slanders the Dharma of the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas, reviles and obstructs it, all the good spirit kings will not protect his state; bandits will arise from the four quarters, flood and drought will become irregular, and the dead will be countless." Now, refusing to believe the Buddha's teachings and forcing them to kneel and prostrate is slander of the Dharma, and is obstruction. If the Buddha's words hold true, even smashing the head and crushing the body would not suffice to atone for the offense. How could it be avoided by mere silent thought and a chilled heart?) According to our humble opinion, performing prostrations is appropriate. We respectfully submit our deliberation.