鐔津文集 9.21

9.21

月日沙門某謹撰書。寄獻于百司內翰閣下。某嘗聞吾佛昔以其法付諸王大臣者。其實意欲資王臣之勢以正其損益也。故聖君賢臣乃吾道萬世所倚而賴之者也。後世之徒如憂其法救其衰而欲有所云為者。不可舍乎朝廷之聖賢者也。若某不遠千里以其書而求於閣下之門者。固亦以為其法而若此也。伏惟閣下。為德有遠量。立朝有大節。以文章為詞臣之宗。地近官顯日接天子之寵光。又特注意佛理力探聖人性命之奧妙。是益宜佛氏者以其道而從之也。某嘗以今天下儒者不知佛為大聖人。其道德頗益乎天下生靈。其教法甚助乎國家之教化。今也天下靡然競為書而譏之。某故嘗竊憂其譏者不惟沮人為善。而又自損其陰德。乃輒著書曰輔教編。發明佛道。欲以諭勸于世之君子者。然自念其深匿遠棄力不能遂振之。徒終夕太息。乃冐其僭易之誅。敢以其書仰藉閣下高明。以聞傳于諸聖賢君子。苟得其萬一反心識佛。知其教法之所以然。廣其為善而不損夫陰德。是亦仁賢用心之一道也。其為勝緣當世世奉閣下同之天地神明實聞斯語。儻閣下不忽少垂尊意。則某萬萬幸甚矣。其輔教編者模印一部三冊并書。因崔太博納諸下執事者。干黷台慈。不任惶恐之至。不宣。某謹白。

On [such] month and day, the śramaṇa [Qisong] respectfully composes this letter and sends it as an offering to Your Excellency, the Hanlin Academician of the Hundred Offices. I have heard that when our Buddha in ancient times entrusted his Dharma to kings and ministers, his true intent was to rely on the power of rulers and ministers to correct what should be decreased or augmented. Therefore, sagely rulers and worthy ministers are what our Way has relied upon for myriad generations. If latter-day followers, worrying for its Dharma and seeking to rescue it from decay, wish to take action, they cannot forgo the sagely and worthy figures of the imperial court. The reason that I, without regarding a thousand li as too far, have brought my book to petition at Your Excellency's gate is precisely because of my concern for the Dharma. I humbly reflect that Your Excellency possesses far-reaching magnanimity in your virtue and great integrity in serving the court; through your literary skill you stand as the exemplar among court officials, while your proximate position and distinguished rank allow you daily communion with the Son of Heaven's glorious favor. Furthermore, you pay special heed to Buddhist principles and diligently explore the subtle marvels of the sage's nature and destiny. Thus, it is all the more fitting that followers of the Buddha turn to you for their Way. I have often observed that today's Confucians do not realize the Buddha was a great sage whose Way and virtue greatly benefit all living beings in the realm, and whose teachings provide immense assistance to the state's moral transformation. Nowadays, the realm follows the prevailing fashion of vying to write books criticizing it. I have therefore secretly worried that such critics not only discourage people from doing good, but also damage their own unseen virtue. Hence I ventured to compose a book titled Fujiao bian to illuminate the Buddha's Way, desiring to admonish and encourage the world's gentlemen. Yet reflecting that I am deeply secluded and cast far away, lacking the strength to single-handedly revive it, I could only sigh through the night. Thus braving the punishment for presumption, I dare rely on Your Excellency's lofty brilliance to make this book known and transmitted among sagely, worthy gentlemen. If even one in ten thousand should have a change of heart, recognize the Buddha, understand the underlying reasons for his teachings, expand their goodness, and avoid harming their unseen virtue, this would indeed be an avenue for a benevolent and worthy man to exert his mind. For this auspicious affinity, I shall through lifetime after lifetime accompany Your Excellency; the spirits of heaven and earth truly bear witness to these words. If Your Excellency does not overlook this and deigns to give it a little of your esteemed attention, it will be my boundless good fortune. A printed copy of Fujiao bian, in one set of three volumes, together with this letter, is presented through Erudite Cui to your attendants. Having presumptuously disturbed your august kindness, I cannot bear my profound trepidation. Respectfully submitted.