大唐貞元續開元釋教錄 2.6.7

2.6.7

…and others twenty bolts of silk each. Receiving this upon our heads, we are fearful and apprehensive, truly leaping with joy, truly rejoicing. Chaowu has heard: when encountering the profound, shallow understanding makes one aware of self-shame; when rewards are heavy but merit is slight, one is at a loss for where to turn one's face. We prostrate ourselves before Your Majesty, whose Way follows the Buddhist scriptures and whose principle penetrates form and emptiness. Seeing that this humble monk presumptuously belongs to the Buddhist order, having early specialized in the scriptures and treatises, I diligently composed an exegesis to expound these wondrous sounds. In vain did I exert effort in exploring the depths—how could I comprehend its fine and profound tenets? Yet the imperial favour was specially bestowed, and the gifts were repeatedly presented. Resplendent are the patterned silks originating from the imperial storehouses; overflowing is the generous bounty bringing glory to this Buddhist monastery. This grace marks an era, and its renown will flourish for a thousand ages. Reflecting on my bounds and measuring my station, there is no ladder by which to requite it above. I hope only to elevate the efficacy of lectures and practice, and wish to support the blessings of the mountains and rivers. Unable to bear my supreme gratitude, I respectfully present this memorial of thanksgiving through the palace commissioner Feng Yousheng, to be brought to [the imperial] hearing. Śramaṇa Chaowu, with true fear and true dread, respectfully speaks.

Furthermore, on this day, a memorial was composed and submitted, requesting that a name plaque be established for the courtyard of the new scripture, and also requesting that monks be selected to lecture, study, reside, and uphold [the text], with vacancies to be continuously filled, hoping that this be made a permanent regulation. The imperial favour granted approval; all that was requested was complied with.

On the nineteenth day, the Secretariat-Chancellery promulgated the imperial edict, which said:

“Regarding the one residence originally inhabited by monks in the northwestern corner of Liquan Temple, it is requested to establish on behalf of the state a Six Pāramitās Scripture Courtyard, and it is also requested that seven monks be selected to constantly lecture and study [there].

The śramaṇa on the right, Chaowu, submitted:
‘I prostrated and received the imperial decree of the nineteenth day of the fourth month of last year, ordering me, together with the monk Prajñā and others, to examine and translate this scripture. Furthermore, I subsequently received imperial instructions to lecture and praise [it] at Qianfu Temple, as well as to compose an exegesis. Now it has already been copied and respectfully submitted. I humbly consider that the scriptures' principles are precise and profound, and must rely on exposition; when students listen and practice, they must have a destination to return to. I now request that a Six Pāramitās Scripture Courtyard be established, and that seven monks of doctrinal conduct be selected to constantly lecture and recite [it], with vacancies to be continuously filled. I beg that a name plaque be granted, so that Your Majesty's sagacious intention may be widely propagated and the true lineage expounded. If the imperial favour permits, I request that this be promulgated and assigned to the relevant offices.’

Imperial rescript: ‘Approved as requested.’

Promulgated on the nineteenth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Zhenyuan [789 CE] by Minister Li Sheng, Grand Commandant and Director of the Secretariat;
Received by Minister Dou Can, Vice Director of the Secretariat and Joint Manager of Affairs with the Secretariat-Chancellery;
Secretariat drafter received imperial instructions as stated above; upon arrival of the official dispatch, carry it out.

On the twentieth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Zhenyuan, Ma Sui, Minister of Education and Director of the Chancellery; Dong Jin, Vice Director of the Chancellery and Joint Manager of Affairs with the Secretariat-Chancellery; and Zheng Yunkui, Supervising Secretary.

Official dispatch from the Bureau of Sacrifices to Master of the Law Chaowu, bhadanta of Liquan Temple:
Official dispatch: received the imperial instruction from the Secretariat-Chancellery as stated above; carry it out upon arrival of the dispatch, in accordance with the decree. Therefore dispatched.

Dispatched on the twenty-eighth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Zhenyuan by Record Keeper Zhao Ye;
Managing Officer Zhang Tan;
Pei Ji, Vice Director of the Reception Bureau, presiding.”

The note says: Another memorial was submitted, stating: “Zhang Xiaoshun, Palace Attendant of the Hanlin Academy, respectfully announced the imperial instruction, telling the bhadanta and Master of the Law Chaowu: ‘Regarding the courtyard plaque requested, on the twenty-third day of this month, await and receive it at the Right Yintai Gate.’”

When this day arrived, no sooner had the sound of the drums commenced than the formal procession was laid out, with fully adorned precious carriages, banners, flowers, ritual paraphernalia, brocade carriages, and music, proceeding to the Yintai Gate. The sound of drums shook the heavens, and the panpipes and flutes played in harmonious unison. The imperial dispatch was brought out from within. Looking toward the Ziting pavilion from afar, Zhang Xiaoshun, Palace Attendant and Commissioner of the Inner Palace, respectfully announced the imperial decree, telling the bhadanta and Master of the Law Chaowu: “Regarding the plaque requested, it is named the ‘Six Pāramitās Scripture Courtyard.’ Receive it upon arrival.”

The monks looked upward, paid reverence, and were filled throughout their bodies with joy. Carrying it upon their heads, they placed it upon the precious carriage. Thereupon Li Jiaxing, Palace Attendant and Commissioner of the Imperial Academy of Music, ordered the Shao music of the inner court to display the six kinds of musical forms to lead the way, while the ritual paraphernalia followed after the eight tones in an orderly sequence.

Looking up respectfully at the imperial handwriting on the inscribed plaque: the form of heaven was revealed; tigers crouched and dragons leapt; snakes started and phoenixes danced. Auspicious crows and portentous magpies could not equal its spirit; flocks of geese sporting upon the sea could not compare to its sagacity. The common people looked upon it; the five assemblies of disciples rushed toward it. Carriages and horses crowded together. Viewing this supreme beauty, they spoke to one another two by two, celebrating this auspicious sign. All said, “Excellent! Our August Emperor is supremely sagacious. He reveres and honors the Buddhist teaching, elegantly esteeming the school of the Śākya. Last year he translated the scriptures; this year he composed the commentary, and specially granted a named plaque to bequeath a model for a thousand ages. Though the aeon-rock may be exhausted, this trace shall never end!”

Coming forth from Guangxiao, [the procession] circled around the imperial city. Between the hours of the Snake and the Horse [midday], they arrived at Liquan Temple. Thereupon monks and nuns gathered completely; an unobstructed great feast was set forth. After eating, the Shao music brought rejoicing and entertainment throughout the whole day. The monks obtained what they had never had before; the generous favours arrived repeatedly, and they received them with reverence and trembling.

Another memorial of thanks was submitted, saying:
“Śramaṇa Chaowu states: I have humbly observed that on the twenty-third day of this month, Palace Commissioner Zhang Xiaoshun respectfully announced the imperial command, granting an imperially inscribed plaque for the courtyard where Chaowu resides, naming it the ‘Six Pāramitās Scripture Courtyard.’ Specially turning the imperial favor, You repeatedly bestowed a fine name. Holding and bearing this extraordinary grace, I am truly glad and truly joyous. I humbly consider: this scripture was long hidden, not transmitted for remote ages. Now that the Great Way is about to flourish, it is revealed in response to the destined time. Your Majesty, with sagacious mind naturally comprehending, has already prefaced the true lineage; and with sagacious literary brilliance displayed, You further wielded the divine brush. Portentous magpies linger around the golden plaque; auspicious crows shine brightly over the lotus palace. It is truly what gods and humans protect and uphold, and likewise the supreme pinnacle of monarchs and emperors. What fortune does this humble monk have to repeatedly receive heaven's blessing? Only through the Buddha vehicle may I extend Your Majesty's reign above. Unable to bear my supreme gratitude, I respectfully proceed to the Right Yintai Gate to present this memorial of thanks to be brought to [imperial] hearing. Śramaṇa Chaowu, with true fear and true dread, respectfully speaks.”

On the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month of the fifth year of Zhenyuan [789 CE], śramaṇa Chaowu of Liquan Temple submitted this memorial.

*Exegesis on the Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā Six Pāramitās Sūtra*, ten fascicles (each divided into upper and lower parts to make twenty fascicles)
*Principles and Formulas of the Exegesis on the Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā Six Pāramitās Sūtra*, one fascicle
*Table of Contents of the Exegesis on the Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā Six Pāramitās Sūtra*, one fascicle

Śramaṇa Zhitong and others state: “We respectfully received the special announcement of the sagacious imperial decree from Junior Director Ma Qinxu on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, ordering the monks Dao'an and Zhitong to compose the exegesis and meaning of the newly translated *Mahāyāna Adhyardhaśatikā Six Pāramitās Sūtra* and submit it. Zhitong has heard: the sage conceals his traces, but when traces appear, it is that by which merit is illuminated; the ultimate Way transcends words, but establishing words is that by which teaching is bequeathed. When words do not delude the three poles, how could one hear of two different courses? When traces do not differ, the myriad conditions return together to a single unity. We humbly consider that His Majesty the Emperor holds the Great Image to receive the dynastic calendar, mounts the flying dragon to govern the primal creative force, opens the heavenly paths to initiate the seasons, and emulates the chariot of the sun to bestow transformation. Thereby You expound the teachings in accordance with the times, and implement governance conforming to transformation, bringing both Confucianism and Buddhism to mutual completeness and revering both the internal and the external, joining them into a source of transformation to greatly deliver the common people. Provided it accords with the August Ultimate, matters are nowhere obstructed in their direction. How great this is! The entire world rejoices and considers itself fortunate. Zhitong and the others are truly glad and truly joyous, rejoicing once and leaping again. Zhitong and the others: in our understanding we fall short of contemporary sages; in our learning we are put to shame before our fellow monks. Having stealthily accompanied our masters' instruction, we presumptuously took part in discussions, ashamed that we lack the capacity to enter the inner chamber.”