集沙門不應拜俗等事 5.34

5.34

We venture to consider: In the rites, there is nothing that is not revered, and the Teaching of Names is primary. Ruler and father share in the same reliance; constant human norms hold them supreme. Moreover, after the Buddha entered extinction, the Dharma was entrusted to the kings of states; the regulations of unfolding and folding [the teachings] logically center upon the wise and holy. (Critique: The memorial of the Right Household Spring Secretariat states: "As for the entrustment, the Buddha saw that in the final years of the Semblance Dharma, wholesome minds would gradually thin out, wrong views would grow, and the correct Dharma would decline, such that the fourfold assembly would lack the power to propagate it widely. Therefore, he entrusted it to the kings of states to have them protect it. If they do not protect it, the Dharma will naturally disintegrate; why would an entrustment be required to have the kings destroy it?" Indeed, this grasps the intent of the entrustment.) Yet when extraordinary institutions are enacted, the black-haired commoners are constantly startled, while to share unthinkingly in unanimous opinion is a shame to the gentleman. When we ourselves institute the precedent, the statutes hanging like the sun and moon are established; though "the people may be made to follow them," why be constrained by the fondness for the winds and rains? In our foolish, limited view, rendering bows is appropriate. Respectfully submitted.