鐔津文集 12.14

12.14

The Grand Elder Xiaoyue, courtesy name Gonghui, has led the practitioners of Chan at Letan for fifteen years now. His Dao having been transmitted, he further wished to repair his monastic lodge. His disciple Jujin thereupon, in accordance with the master's intent, encouraged his fellow villagers to collect funds to erect a pavilion on the left of the monastery courtyard, with the monastery also contributing wealth to assist. He further exhorted virtuous women of the Lü clan, Lady Hu and Lady Zou, who donated one hundred thousand cash to erect a pavilion on the right of the courtyard. On the right was placed an image of Maitreya; on the left was hung a bell cast by the bell-founder. They also polished dense flagstones to make an elevated walkway (differing in meaning from the elevated walkway in the Rites of Zhou) before the pavilions for over ten paces, spending altogether more than five hundred thousand in stringed cash. In the mid-spring of the gengzi year of the Jiayou reign [1060], the work was completed, and the painting was finished. Jujin then, on the basis of his master's written request, asked me for a text to record it. Now Gonghui and I have always possessed the deepest mutual respect and cordial friendship, and as for Gonghui's intention in making these pavilions, I well understand it: Gonghui's mind is on the Dao, not on the pavilions; the pavilions merely lodge his intent. In entering the Dao, nothing takes precedence over seeing and hearing. Now, as for his providing one pavilion with an image: this is to rectify what people see. As for his providing the other pavilion with a bell: this is to stimulate what people hear. He desires that upon seeing they will become clear and subtle, and upon hearing they will awaken at once, not resting upon spoken words, not relying on letters, but standing alone and attaining directly, in harmony with the ancestral lineage transmitted outside the teachings. Such indeed is Gonghui's intention. Were it not so, how could our Gonghui be willing to engage in mere masonry and carpentry? The mountain and waters of Letan are pure and splendid; they are the site of the legacy of the former great Chan worthy Daoyi, Grandmaster Ma. As for Master Yi's Dao, within the teachings of the Buddhist school it is the supreme culmination. In residing here, Gonghui has undertaken achievements, and furthermore has been able to extend the Dao to others; with respect to Master Yi, he has truly brought about a revival! And as for the blessings and superior benefits brought to the donors, how could they be measured? How fine is Gonghui! Moreover, he has extensively studied the books of the worldly sages and his understanding is refined and thorough; among today's Chan practitioners he is particularly outstanding and heroic. Therefore, on account of his pavilions, I compose this. The inscription reads: