鐔津文集 11.50

11.50

夫為佛者修出世之道因以清淨自守與俗不接。非以其教道推於世勸於人。豈宜逐逐與於世間游乎。梵才大師。少以詩鳴於京師。晚歸天台益勤吾道。一朝思以佛事以勸縉紳先生之徒。前年來浙西淮甸間。所遇卿大夫有名聲於人者。皆樂從其事。不翅百數。此非精誠篤志推尊於聖人真教道妙。何能得仁賢君子如是之多耶。嗟乎吾人有出入乎權豪之門。趨進乎勢利之塗。德不能發人之信。疑然而莫告。毀焉而不辨。喔唯突譎相與以佛為戲。幸其顏色假其事勢。以苟利乎一身。趨死不顧教道者彼聞師之風。宜何為心哉。吾偉乎吉師之所為。故歌以贈其歸。歌曰。

Those who follow the Buddha cultivate the supramundane Way; they consequently preserve themselves in purity and do not associate with the worldly. Were it not to promote their religious Way in the world and exhort humanity, why would they ever hurry about, socializing in the mundane realm? The Great Master of Pure Character achieved fame through his poetry in the capital in his youth; in his later years he returned to Tiantai, becoming even more diligent in our Way. One day, he resolved to use Buddhist undertakings to exhort the gentlemen of the scholar-official class. The year before last, he came to the region between western Zhejiang and the Huai basin. The noble dignitaries of good repute whom he encountered all took delight in supporting his endeavors, numbering no less than a hundred. Had it not been for his pure sincerity, firm resolve, and his honoring the subtlety of the sages’ true teaching and Way, how could he have gained so many benevolent, worthy gentlemen? Alas! Among our fellow monks, there are those who frequent the gates of the powerful and wealthy, rushing onto the path of power and profit. Their virtue cannot inspire faith in others; when suspected, they have no counsel to offer, and when slandered, they do not defend themselves. Bowing, cringing, flattery, and deceit—together they make a mockery of Buddhism, hoping to curry favor with the powerful and borrow their influence merely to seek advantage for their own persons. Those who rush toward death without any regard for the teaching and the Way—what feelings ought they to have upon hearing of the Master’s character? I marvel at Master Ji’s deeds; therefore, I composed a song to present to him upon his return. The song says: