集沙門不應拜俗等事 6.16

6.16

Concurrent Chief of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices Yan Liben and others submitted their deliberation, stating: We have heard that the unbending breaks while the yielding endures, which fans the subtle intent of the dark breeze; afflicting the body and sweetening humiliation raises the delicate words of Śākya's path. Therefore, they could open the source of excelling in humility and magnify the principle of Never-Disparaging. Thus Śrāvakas yielded courtesy to householders, and the Archivist of the Pillar submitted his service to the King of Zhou. These serve as the patterns of the black robes and establish the mirror of the yellow caps. From this time downward, their cardinal track was lost; successive dynasties drowned their true principle, and customary practice clung to their stray path. When the One Man acts, all creatures behold it: binding together Heaven and Earth, steering emperors and kings, turning the golden wheel in superior realms, and erecting the Jade Capital in the dark sphere. Thus he has caused Daoist priests seeking the truth to pursue the distant breeze of the Keeper of Archives, and śramaṇas shaving their adornment to magnify the enduring canon of prostrating at the feet. How much more so when the sun sheds its rays in heaven, marking a brilliance without duplicate, and the Great Emperor proclaims his supremacy presiding over the universe, bringing to culmination the nobility of penetrating Heaven, Earth, and Man! Moreover, although the discipline and rules of the two teachings cut off worldly appearances, in serving the superior, renouncing the world still cannot flee the state. Alike endued with form in the realm of the Great Yu and alike looking up to transformation in the breeze of Shun, how could they contend in courtesy with the Imperial Court and solely exalt their true track? Indeed, slighting the honored and disrespecting elders is an act of rebellion among men; being a subject to the ruler and revering one's father holds no fault against the Way. Having examined and evaluated the deliberation, kneeling and prostrating is deemed proper. Previously, on the sixteenth day of the fourth month, an imperial decree was received, wishing to have monks, nuns, Daoist priests, and Daoist priestesses offer homage to ruler and parents, but fearing it would run contrary to ordinary feelings, it was ordered to be referred to the relevant offices for thorough deliberation and presentation to the throne; the items are presented as above. Respectfully recorded and presented to the throne, humbly awaiting the imperial decree. Memorial of the fifth day of the sixth month of the second year of Longshuo.