集沙門不應拜俗等事 6.40

6.40

an imperial edict commanding that monks shall not bow to the sovereign ruler, but commanding them to bow to their parents. This elevates the etiquette of reverence and affection, yet it is deficient with regard to the teachings of the scriptures. While the jewel of the Saṃgha remains, it is despised; when the refuge and precepts are lost, they are perpetually obscured. How could the ruler open the path of high detached conduct without contradicting the Buddha's words, while the subjects adopt the etiquette of bowing down, directly going against the sagely will? It may be called releasing their children to seek their blessings, yet accepting their bows they still reap guilt; one transformation results in doubt, and two principles contradict each other. We humbly pray: we request to follow the etiquette of reverence shown to the ruler, so as to make consistent the propriety of the subjects below. Soiling and troubling the imperial screens, we are increasingly overcome with falling and stumbling. Respectfully submitted.