鐔津文集 9.29

9.29

月日沙門某右某六月二十一日。伏蒙特附所賜紫衣牒一道書一緘。到杭州日。知府唐公見召出山。面付前件勅牒并書。是蓋太尉曲以其無狀薦論而致此恩賜。某其日自以其道德虛薄不宜當天子大貺。再讓又再讓。雖詞意懇切。而唐公終不容守其素志。又翌日靈隱大眾發命披之章服。雖奉此大賁。而幽陋無謂忝國家美命。辱閣下褒薦而實感且懼矣。伏惟太尉才識器韻。乃時英豪門閥高華為帝家至戚。猶屈採野老幽人之微善推而贊之預人主之渥澤。是不惟樂道人之善。抑又忠於國家天下。幸甚幸甚。如閣下來書曰。讀其輔教編之書。知其學與存誠有以服人者矣。用是言之。此亦閣下念其所存之心耳。若其有以服人之云。豈敢當之。然其所操志非欲苟其名榮其身而已矣。請益為閣下言之。某始以本教積衰。其徒罕能礪精。君子不信小人不敬。某故憂吾聖人之道晦昧。而天下失其為善之本。所以決志扶持之耳。其書初成。誠望上達。賴朝廷群賢君子之盛德。其勸易行其傳易廣。但其救道之心如蹈水火。欲人援之。不顧流俗之謂其誇且衒也。今於道未有所補勸善無效。而輒忝大惠亦宜何為心耶。孟子曰。雖有鎡基不如待時。今果聖賢之時。幸閣下留意焉。苟吾道益勸。君子益信小人益敬。資此勝緣以報聖君之賜。閣下之知。其亦至矣。某禪者非敢專以文字自喜。蓋資之以傳其道耳。此又幸閣下察之。謹因陸員外行專上啟布謝。不任感恩皇恐之至。伏惟台慈俯賜鑒念。不宣某謹上啟。

On such a month and day, the śramaṇa [Qisong] respectfully states: On the twenty-first day of the sixth month, I received the imperial diploma granting a purple robe specially sent to me, together with an enclosed letter. On the day they arrived in Hangzhou, Prefect Tang summoned me from the mountain and handed over in person the imperial diploma and the letter. This was entirely because the Grand Defender was kind enough to recommend this unworthy one, thereby bringing about this bestowed grace. On that day, considering my own virtue to be deficient, I felt I ought not to receive so great a gift from the Son of Heaven; I declined it repeatedly. Although my words and intent were sincere and earnest, Prefect Tang in the end would not allow me to keep to my original purpose. Then, on the following day, the great assembly of Lingyin issued an order for me to don the vestments of state. Though receiving this great splendour, a rustic and insignificant person like me has undeservedly disgraced the fine decree of the state; honoured by your praise and recommendation, I am truly moved and fearful. I respectfully consider that the Grand Defender's talent, insight, capacity, and bearing make him a hero of the age, from an eminent and illustrious lineage, and the closest kin of the imperial family; yet you have bent to gather the slight goodness of an old rustic and recluse of the wilderness, promoting and praising it so that he might partake of the sovereign's bountiful moisture. This is not only delighting in speaking of the good of others, but also loyalty to the state and the realm. Most fortunate! Most fortunate! As you wrote in your letter: 'Reading the book Fujiao bian, one knows that his learning and cultivation of sincerity are capable of convincing people.' Speaking in this way, this too is merely your cherishing the heart I maintain; as for saying it is 'capable of convincing people', how could I dare accept that? Yet the aspiration I hold is not merely to seek renown and glorify my person by improper means. Allow me to state it further for you: I began by seeing that our teaching had accumulated decay, its followers rarely able to steel their spirits, gentlemen not believing it, and lesser men not respecting it. I therefore grieved that the Way of our Sage was obscure, and that the world was losing the foundation of doing good; for this reason I resolved to support and sustain it. When the book was first completed, I truly hoped it would reach the higher authorities, relying on the abundant virtue of the assembly of worthy gentlemen at court, so that its exhortation would be easy to carry out and its transmission easy to spread. Yet my heart to rescue the Way was like stepping through water and fire, wanting others to aid me, disregarding the vulgar crowd's claiming that I was boasting and displaying myself. Now, before bringing any benefit to the Way and without seeing efficacy in encouraging goodness, to suddenly disgrace such great kindness—what should I feel in my heart? Mencius said: 'Though one has a hoe, it is better to wait for the season.' Now it is truly the season of sages and worthies; I hope you will keep this in mind. If our Way is further encouraged, gentlemen further believe it, and lesser men further respect it, I shall rely on this excellent condition to repay the gift of the sacred sovereign and the recognition of your lordship; that would indeed be the utmost. As a Chan monk, I dare not take personal delight only in writing; I merely draw upon it to transmit the Way. This too I hope you will examine. Respectfully taking advantage of Vice Director Lu's journey, I specially present this memorial to express my thanks. Boundlessly overwhelmed with gratitude and fear, I respectfully hope your mercy will deign to look upon this with sympathy. Respectfully presented.