集沙門不應拜俗等事 5.66

5.66

We venture to consider: although the verbal expressions and traces of the two teachings of Śākya and Laozi differ, their principle of reverence and obedience fully accords with the track of the Confucians (this matter is refuted as in the petition of the Right Palace Guard). How could it be that before the supreme pinnacles, they merely raise their clasped hands as if among equals, yet before their teachers and monks, their prostrations exceed those of servants and bondmen? (This matter is refuted as in the petition of the Left Majestic Guard). This both astonishes public opinion and violates standard statutes. Reforming this old custom is universally deemed appropriate (this matter is refuted as in the petition of the Right Palace Guard). Furthermore, the yellow caps bear the blessings of the heavenly foundation, and the black robes carry the weight of the entrusted Dharma (this matter is refuted as in the petition of the Left Palace Guard). One's parents endure toil, exhausting the kindness of birth and rearing; to repay them, one should express the boundless duty of Vast Heaven. The practices of the two gates are haughty and contrary to the constant canons, whereas prostrating oneself in the place of the five reverences fully accords with standard rituals. Respectfully submitted.