法苑珠林 55.55

55.55

大唐。代代而禁妖言。處處而斷淫祀。豈容捨其財力放其土民。營魑魅之堂塔。入魍魎之徒眾。又上古帝臣冠蓋人倫。並稟教而歸依。厝心以崇信。豈容尊妖奉魅以自屈乎。良由睹妙知真使之然耳。明主賢臣謀其德也。凡百君子思其言也。大士高僧慕其理也。而歷代寶之以為大訓。凡聖軌摸人天師範。理盡窮微。福同真濟。何聖能逾。何道能加。不荷其恩反作狂言。

Great Tang, generation after generation has prohibited seductive words, and place after place has banned illicit sacrifices. How could they allow the abandonment of their wealth and labor, and release their subjects, to erect halls and stūpas for mountain demons and join the disciples of water sprites? Furthermore, the emperors, ministers, capped nobility, and ordinary people of antiquity all received the teachings and took refuge in them, setting their minds on honoring and believing in them. How could they honor bogeys and serve enchantments to humiliate themselves? This was truly because they saw the marvelous and knew the true, which made them do so. Bright rulers and worthy ministers contemplated his virtue; all the gentlemen reflected on his words; great beings and eminent monks yearned for his principles. Across the generations, they treasured it as the great instruction, a model for ordinary and holy, a guide for humans and devas. Its principles exhaust the ultimate subtleties; its blessings equal true salvation. What sage could surpass it? What path could be added to it? Instead of being grateful for this benevolence, you utter mad words!”