破邪論 1.6

1.6

Falin respectfully states: Reflecting back to the beginning of the three origins and the five movements, the rise of the Heavenly and Human Sovereigns, the script of the tortoise charts and bird tracks, the classics of the golden tablets and cinnabar cases, the standards of the six balances and nine lights, and the books of the hundred schools in ten thousand scrolls—there are none that do not guide the customs of human relations in trustworthiness and righteousness, and recount the teachings of Yao, Shun, Zhou, and Kong. Yet summarizing their essentials, they have not reached the source of birth and death; setting forth their principles, they do not transcend the realm of being and non-being. How could they compare to the fivefold dharmakāya, the three knowledges, and sarvākārajñatā, serenely experiencing constant bliss, free from change and transition? Remote indeed is tathatā, neither arising nor ceasing! Yet its Way can assist all existences, and its compassion covers the hundred spirits, opening the crossing to the other shore of liberation, and unlocking the storehouse of ultimate unconditioned [peace]. It plucks sentient beings out of the ocean of views, and rescues the children from within the burning house.

Yet the teaching was separated across the Pamirs for more than a thousand years, and has flowed into the Han lands for some six hundred years. Niches and stupas face one another; holy persons have followed in succession. Thus Dao'an mounted the carriage of the Qin emperor, and Senghui rode in the chariot of the Wu sovereign; the Dharma Master of the High Seat was able to set forth the eightfold noble path, and the Futu upādhyāya skillfully expounded the five vehicles. The transformation reached across the nine regions, and the blessings moistened the three times. When it comes to benefiting beings, this is indeed what is meant!

When the Sui lost its fortune, warhorses bred in the suburbs; disasters arose from the four malefactors, and the poison flowed to the hundred families. The lamp of wisdom having been hidden, the Dharma rain was about to cease. We rely on our Great Tang, which above responds to the mind of Heaven and below accords with the wishes of the people. It mends the heavens to illuminate the three luminaries, and binds the earth to pacify the five peaks. The living people have received the grace of being remade, and the Buddhist lineage has been granted the gift of revival. We now rejoice that the Five Thearchs have been augmented to six, and the Three Sovereigns have been made four, returning to the customs of purity and simplicity and practicing the transformation of the unconditioned.

I have observed in private the matter of the slander submitted by Fu Yi: although it has not been implemented by the authorities, Yi has openly distributed it far and wide, so that in worldly drinking gatherings it is contested as a source of jest. This impairs the pure wind [of virtue] and truly defiles Chinese customs; it fosters wrong views in beings and damages the state's field of merit. In principle, this must not be permitted. Prostrating, I reflect that Your Highness has long relied on the three refuges and for ages gathered the ten virtues. Fulfilling the hopes of the populace, you have assumed the station of the great treasure. Your virtue harmonizes with peace and prosperity, and your brilliance shines upon the deputy ruler. When you unleash the rumble of redoubled thunder, the hibernating creatures all emerge from their burrows; when you reveal the brilliance of the Fire Hexagram, the dark paths are illuminated as in a mirror. How glorious, how faithful! It is hard to find a name for it. This surely guarantees that the radiance of the Han will double its eras, and the divination of the Zhou will prolong its years. Furthermore, you have deigned to turn your mind to the gate of blessings, and directed your feelings toward the supreme realm, holding the ferry and bridge in your thoughts and taking the rampart and moat as your purpose. I humbly pray that you break down the banner of wrong views and light the torch of the true Dharma; on this rests the provisional teaching, and great indeed is the good fortune!

Unable to quell my indignant and distressed resolve, I reverently present the Poxie lun in two fascicles. Desecrating your majestic presence, I prostrate myself with increasing awe and trembling. Respectfully submitted.