集沙門不應拜俗等事 5.42

5.42

The Daoist school establishes its tenets valuing softness and humility; the Buddhist teaching takes guidance and rescue as its essential aim. Even though one may surpass the nine classes of immortals and take flight, one's purpose should not conflict with harmonizing with the mundane dust; though one transcends the ten grounds and lets one's spirit wander, how could one's practice run counter to forbearance? Furthermore, the ruler and parents are honored and weighty, rivaling Heaven and the sternest authority with abundance; ministers and sons are loyal and respectful, rendering bows and prostrations without transgressing. This is indeed the great constant of ten thousand states, the enduring track of a thousand generations; in moments of haste one must tread it, and even for a brief instant it can hardly be abandoned. As for the two teachings of the black and yellow, they abruptly undermine this decorum, exclusively monopolizing practices of arrogance and failing to cultivate the deportment of according reverence. (This matter is as critiqued in the memorial of the Imperial Chariot Service.) They vainly initiate a corrupt custom and truly deviate from constant standards. (This matter is as critiqued in the memorial of the Right Militant Guard.) Although the methods of urging and guidance take many paths, they all converge in benefiting living beings; how could they abandon the proper norms of righteousness? Why must an arrogant posture be assumed before one can scale the realm of all marvels, or reverent compliance in expressing integrity suddenly estrange one from the sphere of thusness? (This matter is as critiqued in the memorial of the Left Garrison Guard.) Examining their essential purport from afar, we deeply consider this not to be so. Rendering bows to the ruler and parents is truly the universal principle. We respectfully exhaust our foolish understanding, hoping it might accord with the grand design. Deeply fearing we may be mistaken, we withdraw with shame and trepidation. Respectfully submitted.