大唐貞元續開元釋教錄 1.7.7

1.7.7

取修持萬行。常示於化滅。執律捨縛。護戒為
儀。繼明善教之志。來受人王之請。朕往在先
朝。早聞道要。及當付囑常所歸依。每執經內
殿開法前席。憑几同膠序之禮。順風比崆峒
之問。而妙音圓演密行內持。待扣如說自涯
皆晤。滌除昏妄。調伏魔冤。天人洗心於度門。
龍鬼受職於神印。固以氣消災厲。福致吉祥。
實惟弘我之多。寧止利吾之美。甞有命秩用
申優禮。而得師為盛。味道滋深。思復強名。載
明前志。夫妙界有莊嚴之土。內品有果地之
殊。本乎尚德。敬順時典。可開府儀同三司。仍
封肅國公。食邑三千戶。餘如故。大曆九年六
月十一日。
三藏和上再蒙恩寵官封增新。然氣力轉微
無由謁見。至十五日修表上辭。其文曰。沙門
不空言。不空幼事先師已過二紀。早承天澤
三十餘年。演瑜伽之法門。奉累聖之恩眄。自
從陛下臨御殊私轉深。賜黃閤以宴居。降紫
微而問道。積恩重疊日月相繼。雖復精懇豈
酬萬一。而露電難駐。蒲柳易衰。一從伏枕自
春徂夏。陛下深睠存問再三。中使名醫相望
道路。但以膏肓之病。雖針藥而難生。生滅之
資寧戀惜而能固。忽從昨夜已來頓覺氣力
彌惙。身非己有。瞬息奄奄心神浸微。違謝聖
朝不任戀慕。不空今者。年過中壽未為夭逝。
但以往時越度南海周遊五天。尋其未聞。習
其未解。所得金剛頂瑜伽十萬頌。諸部真言
及經論等。五十餘萬頌。冀總翻譯少答國恩。
何夙願之未終。忽生涯之已盡。此不空所以
為恨也。伏惟。陛下。降諸佛之慈慧。下從人之
所願。不空先進大聖文殊佛剎經。聖情尋許
頒示中外。伏願哀愍念臨終之言冀福皇家
滋吉祥之萬劫。實為僧人生死榮幸。五鈷金
剛鈴杵。先師所傳。并銀盤子菩提子水精念
珠并合子。並謹隨表進奉。臨紙涕泣悲淚交
流永辭聖代。不勝戀慕之至。謹附監使李憲
誠奉表陳辭以聞。沙門不空誠悲誠戀謹言。
大曆九年六月十五日開府儀同三司肅國公
三藏沙門大廣智不空上表。
寶應元聖文武皇帝答曰。
和上行登十地來自五天。敷演瑜伽宣流梵
夾。周遊萬里踐歷三朝。光譯聖言。親承師受。
當下武之興運。繼前薪之火傳。而弘菩薩心
為眾生病。彌留有問。震悼增深。宜依所請也。
爾時開府儀同三司試鴻臚卿肅國公大廣智
不空三藏和上表陳情　聖恩垂涕。墨制旋
降所請皆依和上情禮獲申。一心觀行。右脇
累足怗然。而薨。弟子號踊。中使奏聞。聖上震
悼殊深。輟朝三日。爰降中使詣于僧藍。宣慰
眾徒乃錫賻贈。絹三百匹布三百端。白米粳
米各五車。白麵亦爾。柴十車油七石炭三車。
並如京宣索如無准無奏來當別支送。至其
月二十八日。勅內侍韋守宗。送絹七百五十
二匹。充先師造靈塔直。洎十月五日。追贈司
空。聖睠殊深。又錫諡號勅寂滅為樂。所以歸
於真。付囑有緣。所以尊其稱。循其故事其或
強名。故開府儀同三司試鴻臚卿肅國公大
興善寺三藏大廣智不空。德盛道高。朕所師
仰。心密法印。行超度門。精微有說。廣大無
相。一雨之潤。溥洽於群生。百燈所傳。遍明於
正覺。傍達義趣。博通儒玄。聖人之情合若符
契朕順風前席積有歲年。慈航不留梁木其
壞。徽音永隔震悼殊深。論道之官追嚴師禮。
仍加諡號用副名實。可贈司空。仍諡大辯正
廣智不空三藏和上。洎六日癸卯陳設葬儀。
遷神城南茶毘供養。皇帝遣內給事劉仙鶴。
以香茶之奠。敬祭故大辯正廣智三藏和上
之靈。惟靈智識明晤天資聰達。夙殖梵行生
知勝因。挺秀五天周遊萬里。心蘊海藏音通
華戎。貝葉傳經。瑜伽演教。弘利兆庶。出入三
朝。道在不言。理均無迹。涅槃常寂至聖同歸。
焚香澡身與化而盡。朕頃承了義禮具師資。
永訣之辰攸深震慟。香茶之奠。有靈照之。是
日也宰臣中貴神策六軍御史大夫京兆大尹
尚書僕射侍郎列卿諸衛將軍。各申奠祭。其

[…] cultivate and maintain the myriad practices, and constantly demonstrate extinction through transformation. He holds fast to the Vinaya and casts off fetters, safeguarding the precepts as his comportment. Continuing the resolve to clarify the good teachings, he came in response to the invitation of the sovereign of men. Formerly in the preceding court, We heard early on the essentials of the Way; and when entrusted with the transmission, he was ever Our refuge. Whenever scriptures were held in the inner palace, he expounded the Dharma before Our seat. Leaning on the armrest was just like the rites of the imperial academy; catching his breeze was akin to the inquiries at Mount Kongtong. His wondrous voice comprehensively unfolded the teachings, while esoteric practices were preserved within. Waiting to be struck, as soon as he spoke, from every margin all were awakened. He cleansed away darkness and delusion, and subdued the demonic foes. Gods and humans cleansed their minds at the gate of deliverance; dragons and spirits received duties beneath the divine seal. Surely thereby calamities and baneful influences were dispelled, and blessings brought forth auspiciousness. Truly, it was he who magnified Us so greatly; how could it merely be an advantage to Ourselves? Previously, titles were conferred to express courteous respect; yet taking him as Our master was Our glory, and savoring the Way grew ever deeper. Thinking to force a name once more, We again clarify Our former intention. Now, the marvelous realm possesses adorned lands; the inner ranks possess distinctions of the fruition grounds. Rooted in esteeming virtue and respectfully following the rites of the times, he may be made Specially Promoted, Acting Master of the Court of Imperial Entertainments, and Palace Grandee (Kaifu Yitong Sansi), and be enfeoffed as the Duke of the State of Su, with a fief of three thousand households; the rest as before. Eleventh day of the sixth month of the ninth year of Dali [774 CE].

Although the Tripiṭaka Upādhyāya again received imperial grace and honors with additional official titles and fiefs, his physical strength grew steadily weaker, and there was no way he could be granted an audience. On the fifteenth day, he drafted a memorial of farewell. The text read: The śramaṇa Amoghavajra states: Amoghavajra in his youth served his late teacher for more than two decades, and has enjoyed imperial favor early on for more than thirty years. Expounding the Dharma-gate of Yoga, he received the gracious regard of successive sagacious rulers. Ever since Your Majesty ascended the throne, exceptional favoritism has deepened further: granting the yellow pavilion for leisure dwelling, and descending from the purple court to inquire into the Way. Accumulated favors piled high, succeeding one another day and night; even with utmost sincerity, how could one repay a ten-thousandth? Yet dew and lightning are hard to detain, and the bulrush and willow easily wither. Once taking to my pillow, from spring until summer Your Majesty showed profound care, inquiring after me repeatedly, with inner court messengers and renowned physicians looking at one another along the roads. But with this incurable disease, though there be needles and medicine, survival is difficult. The resources of arising and ceasing—how could one cling to and cherish them so as to make them endure? Suddenly since last night, I feel my strength abruptly fail, my body no longer my own; in a fleeting instant I gasp for breath, and my mind and spirit gradually dim. Bidding farewell to the sacred court, I cannot bear the longing. Now, Amoghavajra is past the age of middle longevity, so it is not a premature death. Only, in former days I crossed the southern seas and travelled throughout the Five Indies, seeking what was unheard and practicing what was not understood. The one hundred thousand verses of the Vajraśekhara Yoga that I obtained, together with various dhāraṇīs, sūtras, and treatises, amounting to over five hundred thousand verses—I had hoped to translate them all to repay a fraction of the nation's kindness. Why is it that my lifelong aspiration is not yet fulfilled, while my lifespan has suddenly reached its end? This is what Amoghavajra laments.

I prostrate myself to Your Majesty to lower the loving-kindness and wisdom of the Buddhas, and deign to comply with the wishes of men. Amoghavajra previously presented the Sūtra on the Merits and Adornments of the Buddhakṣetra of the Great Sage Mañjuśrī; Your Sagacious Sentiment promptly permitted it to be promulgated within and outside [the court]. I humbly pray that, taking pity and mindful of these dying words, you will pray for blessings upon the imperial household, multiplying auspiciousness for ten thousand kalpas; truly this will be a monk's glory in life and death. The five-pronged vajra bell and pestle transmitted by my late master, together with a silver platter, bodhi-seed and crystal rosaries, and a case, are all respectfully presented along with this memorial. Facing the paper with weeping, sorrowful tears intermingling, I bid eternal farewell to the sacred era, unable to bear the extremity of my attachment. Respectfully entrusted to the supervisor commissioner Li Xiancheng to present this memorial expressing my farewell for Your hearing. The śramaṇa Amoghavajra with sincere sorrow and sincere longing respectfully states: On the fifteenth day of the sixth month of the ninth year of Dali, the Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Amoghavajra, Great Broad Wisdom, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Duke of the State of Su, presents this memorial.

The Sagacious, Martial, Civil, and Divine Emperor Baoying replied:
The Upādhyāya has ascended through practice to the Ten Grounds, arriving here from the Five Indies, expounding Yoga and circulating Sanskrit folios. He travelled tens of thousands of li and lived through three reigns, brilliantly translating the sacred words and personally receiving the lineage transmission from his master. At the flourishing era of Our dynasty, he continued the transmission of fire from former firewood. Yet, broadening the bodhisattva mind, he falls ill on behalf of sentient beings. Hearing of his lingering illness, Our shock and grief deepen. It is proper to grant what was requested.

At that time, after the Tripiṭaka Upādhyāya Amoghavajra, Great Broad Wisdom, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Probationary Chamberlain for the Court of Dependencies, Duke of the State of Su, submitted his memorial expressing his feelings, the imperial grace shed tears. An ink edict was immediately issued granting all his requests. His sentiments and proprieties having been conveyed, the Upādhyāya focused single-mindedly on contemplative practice. Lying on his right side with feet crossed, he serenely passed away. His disciples wailed and leapt about. An inner court messenger reported it, and the Emperor was profoundly shocked and grieved, suspending the court for three days. Thereupon an inner messenger was dispatched to the monastery to comfort the assembly of disciples and bestow condolence gifts: three hundred bolts of silk, three hundred lengths of cloth, five carts each of white rice and non-glutinous rice, five carts of white flour, ten carts of firewood, seven dan of oil, and three carts of charcoal; all to be claimed from the capital, and if unavailable, to report so that alternative provisions could be dispatched. On the twenty-eighth day of that month, an edict was issued to the palace attendant Wei Shouzhong to deliver seven hundred and fifty-two bolts of silk to cover the cost of constructing a stupa for the late teacher. Then on the fifth day of the tenth month, he was posthumously granted the title of Minister of Works (Sikong). The imperial favor being exceedingly deep, he was further bestowed a posthumous title, the edict reading:

“Extinction in quiescence is bliss: by this one returns to truth. Entrusting to those with affinity: by this one honors his name. Following precedent, one might force a name. The late Tripiṭaka Amoghavajra, Great Broad Wisdom, of Daxingshan Temple, Kaifu Yitong Sansi, Probationary Chamberlain for the Court of Dependencies, Duke of the State of Su, was abundant in virtue and lofty in the Way, one whom We revered as master. His mind was the esoteric seal of Dharma; his conduct surpassed the gate of deliverance. His subtle teachings were profound, his magnanimity formless. The moisture of a single rain universally soaked the multitude of living beings; the transmission of a hundred lamps illumined everywhere the right enlightenment. Broadly penetrating doctrinal import, he was deeply conversant with Confucian and esoteric learning. His sagacious sentiments accorded with Us like two halves of a tally. For many years We caught his breeze before Our seat. The compassionate boat does not linger; the roof-beam is broken. His fine voice forever separated from us, Our shock and grief are exceedingly deep. Let this official of statecraft retrospectively receive the rites of a master, and be granted an additional posthumous title to match reality to the name. He may be posthumously granted the title of Minister of Works (Sikong), and posthumously named Tripiṭaka Upādhyāya Amoghavajra, Great Eloquent and Correct, Broad Wisdom.”

Then on the sixth day, guimao, funeral rites were arranged. His spirit was moved south of the city for cremation and offerings. The Emperor dispatched the Palace Attendant Liu Xianhe to respectfully offer sacrifice to the spirit of the late Tripiṭaka Upādhyāya Great Eloquent and Correct, Broad Wisdom, with an offering of incense and tea:

“May this spirit, whose intelligence was clear and whose innate gifts were bright and penetrating! From early on he planted pure practices, and was born possessing superior causes. He excelled in the Five Indies and travelled tens of thousands of li. His mind held the oceanic treasury [of Dharma], and his speech bridged China and the barbarian lands. He transmitted scriptures on palm leaves and expounded the teachings of Yoga, extensively benefiting millions of people and frequenting three imperial courts. His Way lay in wordlessness; his principles were devoid of traces. Nirvāṇa is eternal quiescence; to the highest sanctity all return alike. Burning incense and bathing the body, he departed along with transformation. We recently received the definitive meaning, and the rites of master and disciple were fully observed. On this day of eternal parting, profound is Our shock and grief! May the spirit look down upon this offering of incense and tea.”

On that day, the chief ministers, inner court favorites, the Six Armies of Shence, the Censor-in-Chief, the Mayor of Jingzhao, the Vice Directors of the Department of State Affairs, the Vice Ministers, the various Court Chamberlains, and the generals of the imperial guards each offered sacrifices. Their