大唐貞元續開元釋教錄 1.7.9

1.7.9

[He] arrived in Guangzhou, and by the third year of the Jianzhong era (782), he reached the imperial capital. In the second year of the Zhenyuan era (786), he sought out and met his relative: the Shence army commander of ten Luo Haoxin, who was the son of Tripiṭaka Master Prajñā's maternal uncle. Comforting each other in sorrow and joy, [Luo] took him home to show family affection, and thereupon retained and made offerings to him. Deeply having faith in and revering the Three Jewels, [Luo] requested him to translate Buddhist scriptures. Thereupon, together with the Persian monk Jingjing of the Daqin monastery, based on a Sogdian text of the Six Pāramitās, they translated it into seven fascicles. At that time, because Prajñā was not skilled in the Sogdian language and moreover did not understand the Tang language, while Jingjing did not know Sanskrit and was furthermore not enlightened in Buddhist teachings, although it was claimed to be a translation, they did not obtain [even] half a pearl. Seeking to steal empty fame rather than produce merit and blessing, they recorded and submitted a memorial to report it, hoping for its circulation. His Majesty, sage, wise, cultured, and enlightened, sincerely revering Buddhist scriptures, examined what they had translated and found its principles obscure and its language crude. Moreover, the monasteries of the Śākyan lineage and the monasteries of the Daqin monks are distinct in dwelling, and their practices are entirely contrary: Jingjing should propagate the Messiah's teachings, while the Śramaṇas and sons of Śākya should propagate and clarify the Buddhist scriptures. Wishing to keep the teachings demarcated so people would not improperly trespass, and so that the orthodox and heterodox, being different kinds, would be kept separate like the clear Jing and muddy Wei rivers, like a net upon its head-rope in orderly arrangement without confusion, so that gods and humans would look up to it and the four assemblies would know where to take refuge, [the Emperor] separately ordered the officials and issued an imperial decree: "Dispatch of the Chancellery and Secretariat to Wang Xiqian. A memorial conveys the imperial order: 'The Buddhist teachings are profound and subtle; both monastics and laity reverently revere them. All rely on Sanskrit texts for the Dharma to cover China. It is fitting to order Wang Xiqian, together with the relevant authorities, to carefully select monks of virtuous conduct to go to Ximing Temple and retranslate it; upon completion, submit a memorial to report it.' Upon arrival of the dispatch, comply with the decree; hence this dispatch. The nineteenth day of the fourth month of the fourth year of the Zhenyuan era (788)." Next, a dispatch was sent to the Bureau of Sacrifices, also complying with the decree in the same manner. This was forwarded in dispatches to the eminent monks of all the temples in the capital. Prajñā, the Śramaṇa and Tripiṭaka master from Jibin, proclaimed and translated the Sanskrit text. The Śramaṇa Liyan of Guangzhai Temple, Hanlin Academician, translated the Sanskrit language. The Śramaṇa Yuanzhao of Ximing Temple served as scribe. The Śramaṇa Daoye of Zisheng Temple, the Śramaṇa Liangxiu of Ximing Temple, and the Śramaṇa Yuanzhao of Zhuangyan Temple jointly polished the literary style. The Śramaṇa Yingzhen of Cien Temple, the Śramaṇa Chaowu of Liquan Temple, the Śramaṇa Dao'an of Guangzhai Temple, and the Śramaṇa Biankong of Ximing Temple together verified the meaning. Beginning on the eighth day of the sixth month, intending to formulate the scripture's title, an imperial order directed Wang Xiqian, the Commissioner of Merits West of the Imperial Streets, concurrently Controller of the Right Shence Army, Camp Commissioner, Originating Congratulator of Xingyuan, Supreme General of the Town Guard, Acting General of the Right Gate Inspection Guard, Director of the Palace Domestic Service, Upper Pillar of the State, and Founding Count of Taiyuan County, having personally received the imperial mandate, together with Meng She, Meritorious Official of Fengtian Pacifying Troubles, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Acting Supreme General of the Right Shence Army in charge of military affairs, Specially Commissioned Minister of Works, concurrently Censor-in-chief, Upper Pillar of the State, and Commandery Prince of Wudu; Ma Youlin, Meritorious Official of Baoying, Originating Congratulator, General of Chariots and Cavalry, Acting Supreme General of the Right Shence Army in charge of military affairs, concurrently Vice Censor-in-chief, Upper Pillar of the State, Commandery Prince of Jingrong with an actual feudal income of fifty households, and others, to escort the Sanskrit text of the scripture. The six modal pitches, five notes, and eight timbres joined in harmony. The fourfold assembly gathered like clouds, songs and chants resounded together, pipes and flutes boiled toward the heavens, and drums and bells shook the earth. Departing from the forbidden gates and leaving through the Fanglin Gate, carriages and horsemen filled the heavenly thoroughfare, and scholars and ladies overflowed the neighborhoods. Entering Ximing Temple, they translated the true scripture. On the same day, an imperial gift of one hundred thousand copper cash, thirty bracelets of camphor, and one large container of incense was bestowed to fund the offerings of the Scripture Translation Court. The title was given as the *Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā Ṣaṭpāramitā Sūtra*. From then on, days went and months came; twice they went up to translate the scripture. In the middle decade of the tenth month, the translation was completed. On the fifteenth day of the eleventh month, the fair copy was also finished. On the twenty-eighth day, grandly setting up ceremonial dignity, colorful carriages, and music, they entered through the Guangfan Gate and Guangshun Gate, submitting a memorial to report and present the newly translated scripture, entering its text in ten fascicles and likewise ten chapters. The imperial intention repeatedly sent back and forth solicitous regards, and furthermore, a vegetarian feast was hosted in the forbidden precincts. Dharma Master Prajñā was bestowed one hundred bolts of silk and a set of winter garments; the other ten men were each given fifty bolts and a set of garments; the two overseers were each given thirty bolts and a set of garments to serve as offerings. Tripiṭaka Dharma Master Prajñā, receiving these aloft with trepidation, thereupon presented a memorial to offer thanks, saying: "The Śramaṇa Prajñā says: Humbly, having been born in Jibin, at age fourteen I left my home village and traveled south to India. Hearing what I had not yet comprehended for over twenty years, I circumambulated and paid homage to the sacred traces, the Twin Trees, and the Eight Stūpas. Studying both Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna, I vowed to repay the four debts of gratitude. Admiring China from afar, I came to behold and pay reverence. Personally bearing Sanskrit pothi volumes of scriptures not yet transmitted to China, I constantly contemplated presenting them upwards, but had no way to offer them. Recently, through my elder cousin, Luo Haoxin, Commander of Ten of the Right Shence Army and Commandery Prince of Xinping, who participates personally in the military guard, it was reported and reached the imperial ear; this is truly a great fortune. Your Majesty honors the teachings, faithfully receives the Mahāyāna, and commanded the monastics, permitting the translation. This tiny monk's ultimate wish has hereby reached fulfillment; I vow to dedicate myself to meticulous practice to support the imperial throne from above. I respectfully approach the Guangshun Gate to present this memorial offering thanks and reporting. The Śramaṇa monk Prajñā speaks with sincere fear and trembling." On the twenty-eighth day of the eleventh month of the fourth year of the Zhenyuan era, the Śramaṇa Prajñā of the kingdom of Jibin submitted the memorial. The Saintly, Divine, Cultured, and Martial Emperor endorsed: "The Master early reached the source of realization and contemplated the secret treasury; you traveled through the Western lands, everywhere seeking the Mahāyāna. You obtained the decisive words of the mind-ground, which are the marvelous practices of the Tathāgata. Longing to proclaim them to broaden the profound gate, you carried the true texts from afar to transmit them to China. Traversed ten thousand leagues of road, you succeeded in reaching the capital, once again exalting the style of Kumārajīva and renewing the footprints of Kāśyapa Mātaṅga. Considering your sincere dedication, We greatly commend it. Thereupon, We commanded the lineage of the Way to cause it to be translated, hoping that this supreme Dharma will circulate forever. Looking through your memorial, it troubles you to make these thanks." On the same day, the donor requesting the scripture's translation, the Tripiṭaka master's elder cousin, Luo Haoxin—Commander of Ten of the Cavalry of the Right Shence Army, Meritorious Official of Fengtian Pacifying Troubles, Opening Office Equal in Dignity to the Three Authorities, Specially Commissioned Grand Supervisor of the Household of the Crown Prince, Upper Pillar of the State, and Commandery Prince of Xinping—presented a memorial offering thanks, saying: "Your servant Haoxin says: My maternal younger cousin, the Śramaṇa monk Prajñā of the kingdom of Jibin, previously presented the Sanskrit pothi of the *Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā Ṣaṭpāramitā Sūtra*. Humbly receiving the imperial decree of the nineteenth day of the fourth month of this year, which ordered Wang Xiqian to carefully select monks of virtuous conduct to translate the scripture at Ximing Temple, the cases are now completed. Your servant Haoxin, with sincere joy and delight, bows his head and prostrates. Your servant has heard that when the star of Zhou concealed its brightness, and the dream of Han galloped its light, one first knew that miraculous portents moved people, inevitably entrusted to an enlightened king to guide transformation. Thus once again did Nāgārjuna expound, and again clarify the true essence. Humbly considering: The Emperor, Your Majesty, your benevolence spreads through China and abroad, your grace covers living beings, your reputation and teachings reach far, and you govern without contrived action. Your humble servant's cousin left home at fourteen; his aspiration admired the monastics, and his traces appeared among the assembly of monks. As for the scripture texts presented recently, examining the Sanskrit pothi, the Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā speaks of the Six Pāramitās. Your Majesty..."