貞元新定釋教目錄 15.4.5

15.4.5

竺。尋歷山谷跋涉群方。凡遇聖蹤投誠禮敬。
輒聞經教罄竭哀祈。搜求精微窮博深密。丹
誠鄙陋願言弘宣。遂得前件經論。自到中京
竟未翻譯。既闕書寫又乖受持。特望。
龍慈許令翻譯。庶得法筵重敷更雪住持之
路。佛日再舉彌增演暢之功。天恩允許宣付
所司。勅旨依奏。又至其年九月三日。進上功
德。具以上狀聞。詞曰。
虎魄寶生如來像一軀。梵書大隨求陀羅尼
一本。
右昔者河清啟運。摳電吉祥。方屬重陽之
辰。遂誕千年之聖。以陛下允膺　寶祚。像
有寶生之名。以。
陛下興念隨通。明有隨求之號。像能光明洞
徹。如。
陛下光宅四維。明能威伏魔怨。如。
陛下威降萬國。謹案金剛頂經。一切如來成
等正覺。皆受寶生灌頂。乃至。
陛下玄功格天正法理國。事與時並若合符
契。伏願少修敬念緘而帶之。則必持明照迴。
廣至化於東戶。本尊敷佑。延聖壽於南山。無
任歡慶之深。謹隨狀進。輕黷。
扆旒。伏增戰越。謹進。
乾元光天文武大聖孝感皇帝批曰。
諸佛儀形優曇希現。如來密藏神呪難思。師
大啟空宗能持祕印。以茲正法弘護朕躬。信
受奉行深為利益也。洎。
乾元三年閏四月十四日。宮苑都巡使禦侮
校尉右內率府卒員外置同正員賜紫金魚
袋內飛龍使驅使臣史元琮進狀。請大興善
寺修灌頂道場。
右臣竊觀。度災禦難之法。不過祕密大乘。大
乘之門灌頂為最。今屬閏夏之月百花皆榮。
伏望令三藏不空。於前件寺為國修一灌頂
道場。有息災增益之教。有降伏歡喜之能。
奉此功力以滅群兇。上資。
聖壽無彊。承此兆人清泰。臣素無才行忝奉
驅使。謹獻愚誠倍增戰汗。如天恩允臣所奏
請降墨　勅依。
閏月十九日改為上元元年。歲仍庚子。至八
月二十五日。開府儀同三司判行軍李輔國
宣奉　勅。不空三藏并僧弟子三人。宜於智
炬寺修功德。二年辛丑九月二十一日大赦
天下。除乾元光天等尊號但稱皇帝。又除上
元之號但稱二年。以十一月朔為歲之初但
稱元年。又除正二三四等名。以月建為號。
元年壬寅建子月。建丑月。建寅月。建卯月。
建辰月。建巳月。五日。
太上皇遺誥訖崩。至十五日楚州獻璧。是日
改為寶應元年。歲仍壬寅。四月五月等並依
常數。肅宗制皇太子監國恩宥一切囚徒也。
其月十八日。
肅宗皇帝遺詔訖又崩。至二十日代宗即皇
帝位。至五月十六日大赦天下。至十月十三
日。
大興善寺三藏沙門不空狀進。彫白檀摩利
支像一軀（此云威光）梵書大佛頂陀羅尼一本。
右不空幸因。
聖運早奉　休明。遂逢。
降誕之晨。更遇　金輪之日。伏惟陛下壽延
寶祚。尊像有威光之名。以。
陛下百王為首。真言有佛頂之號。謹案大佛
頂。一切如來成等正覺皆受此真言。乃至金
輪帝位莫不遵而行之。伏惟。
陛下承天踐祚聖政惟新。正法理國與靈合
契。伏願少修敬念緘而帶之。則廣至化於東
方。延聖壽於南山。無任歡慶之至。謹隨狀
進。輕黷。
宸嚴伏惟戰越。謹言。
皇帝批曰。
檀摩瑞像貝葉真文。南天既遙中國難遇。上
人慈慜緘護而來。不祕桑門傳諸象𨵗。得未
曾有。良以慰懷。寶應二年七月十日冊。
尊號寶應元聖文武皇帝。歲在癸卯。七月十
一日改為廣德元年。歲仍癸卯。十一月十四
日。
大興善寺三藏沙門不空請為國置灌頂道場
右不空聞。毘盧遮那包容萬界。密印真契吞
納眾經。准其教宜有頓有漸。漸謂聲聞小乘
登壇學處。頓謂菩薩大士灌頂法門。是詣極
之夷途為入佛之正位頂謂頭頂。表大行之
尊高。灌謂灌持。明諸佛之護念。超昇出離何
莫由斯。是以剋己服勤不捨晝夜。誓志讚
仰。豈敢怠遑。冀每載夏中及三長齋月依
經建立。嚴淨花以開覺。使有識而歸真。庶
邊境肅清。
聖躬萬壽。不勝懇念之至。謹詣右銀臺門。奉
狀陳請以聞。如。
天恩允許請降。

[…] India. Traveling through valleys and mountains, he journeyed far across many lands. Wherever he encountered sacred traces, he offered his utmost sincerity and paid obeisance. Whenever he heard of scripture and teachings, he exhausted every plea of fervent petition. Searching out the subtle and profound, he penetrated broadly into the deep and secret teachings. Though his sincere mind was plain and humble, his vow was to propagate them widely. Thus he obtained the aforementioned scriptures and treatises. Yet since arriving at the central capital, he had not yet translated them. Missing was their copying, and their reception and practice had lapsed. He especially hoped that the Dragon's [Imperial] compassion would grant permission for them to be translated, so that the Dharma assembly might be spread anew and the path of maintenance cleared, and that the Buddha-sun, risen once more, might further expand the achievement of promulgation. Heavenly grace granted permission, and it was promulgated to the authorities in charge, with the imperial decree following the memorial.

Furthermore, on the third day of the ninth month of that year, he presented merits, submitting a memorial with the details above, which read:

'One amber image of Ratnasaṃbhava Tathāgata. One copy of the Mahāpratisarā-dhāraṇī written in Indic script.

To the right: In former times, when the Yellow River ran clear, an auspicious era commenced; a grasping lightning flash signaled good omen. Coinciding with the Double Ninth festival, there was born a sage of a thousand years. Because Your Majesty truly received the precious throne, the statue bears the name "Ratnasaṃbhava" [Treasure-born]. Because Your Majesty, giving rise to thought, brings about immediate comprehension, the luminous spell bears the designation "Pratisarā" [According to Prayer]. That the image can shine with brilliant radiance completely penetrating is like Your Majesty illuminating the four quarters. That the luminous spell can awe and subdue demonic adversaries is like Your Majesty subduing ten thousand states with awe. Respectfully examining the Vajraśekhara-sūtra, when all Tathāgatas attain unexcelled complete enlightenment, they all receive the initiation of Ratnasaṃbhava. So it is that Your Majesty's profound merit accords with heaven and governs the state with the true Dharma, with deeds and seasons coalescing like tallies fitting together. We humbly hope that, slightly cultivating reverent mindfulness, [Your Majesty] will seal and wear it. Then the holding of the luminous spell will surely shed its radiance around, broadly extending supreme transformation to the land of Donghu, while the root deity extends protection, prolonging the sage's longevity to that of the Southern Mountains. Incapable of bearing the utmost rejoicing, [I] respectfully present it along with this memorial. Lightly desecrating the royal screen and imperial pendants, I am overcome with trembling and dread. Respectfully presented.'

The Qianyuan Guangtian Wenwu Dasheng Xiaogan Emperor endorsed it, saying:
'The appearances and forms of the Buddhas are as rare to behold as the udumbara. The secret treasury and divine mantras of the Tathāgatas are beyond conception. The Master has broadly opened the school of Emptiness and is capable of upholding the secret seals. Using this true Dharma to widely protect Our person, to faithfully receive and practice it is of profound benefit.'

Reaching the leap-fourth month, fourteenth day of Qianyuan 3, the Palace Grounds Patrol Commissioner, Defender-Lieutenant of the Right Internal Guard Corps, Supernumerary Staff Member Treated as Substantive, Awarded the Purple and Gold Fish Bag, Internal Flying Dragon Messenger in Active Duty, official Shi Yuancong, submitted a memorial requesting that an initiation bodhimaṇḍa be cultivated at Daxingshan Monastery:

'To the right: Your servant has observed in private that the methods for crossing over disasters and warding off difficulties do not surpass the secret Mahāyāna. Of the approaches of the Mahāyāna, initiation is supreme. Now, falling in the leap-summer month when the hundred flowers are in full bloom, I humbly hope that the Tripiṭaka [Master] Amoghavajra may be ordered to cultivate an initiation bodhimaṇḍa for the state at the aforementioned monastery. It contains teachings for extinguishing calamity and increasing benefits; it possesses the power to subjugate and bring rejoicing. Upholding this power of merit to eradicate all villains, it will above augment the sage's longevity without boundary, and relying on this, the myriad people will enjoy purity and peace. Your servant originally has no talent or virtue, yet has been favored with imperial duty. Respectfully offering my humble sincerity, my trembling and sweating are redoubled. If heavenly grace should grant your servant's memorial, I request a black-ink imperial edict in accordance.'

On the nineteenth day of the leap-month, the era was changed to the first year of Shangyuan, still the year Gengzi. On the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, Li Fuguo, Palace Attendant Opening Office with Equal Three Dignities and Adjudicator of Field Armies, announced the imperial decree: 'The Tripiṭaka [Master] Amoghavajra and three monk disciples should cultivate merit at Zhiju Monastery.'

On the twenty-first day of the ninth month of the second year, Xinchou, a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm. The titles of Qianyuan Guangtian and others were removed, leaving only the address 'Emperor.' The title of Shangyuan was also abolished, calling it simply 'the second year.' Taking the new moon of the eleventh month as the beginning of the year, it was called simply 'the first year.' Furthermore, the designations of the first, second, third, and fourth months were abolished, taking the earthly branch of the month's orientation as their designations: the first year, Renyin, Month of Establishing Zi, Month of Establishing Chou, Month of Establishing Yin, Month of Establishing Mao, Month of Establishing Chen, Month of Establishing Si. On the fifth day [of the Month of Establishing Si], the Retired Emperor passed away after his testamentary decree was concluded. Reaching the fifteenth day, Chuzhou presented a jade disc. On this day, the era was changed to the first year of Baoying, still the year Renyin. The fourth and fifth months and so on all reverted to standard numbering. Emperor Suzong decreed that the Crown Prince act as regent of the realm, and graciously pardoned all prisoners. On the eighteenth day of that month, Emperor Suzong passed away after his testamentary decree was concluded. On the twentieth day, Daizong ascended the imperial throne. On the sixteenth day of the fifth month, a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm.

Reaching the thirteenth day of the tenth month, the Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Amoghavajra of Daxingshan Monastery presented a memorial offering: one carved white sandalwood image of Mārīcī (translated here as 'Awe-Inspiring Light') and one copy of the Mahoṣṇīṣa-dhāraṇī written in Indic script.

'To the right: Amoghavajra, fortunate to have met with the holy dynasty early on and served its glorious brightness, then encountered the dawn of [Your Majesty's] birth, and further met with the day of [Your Majesty's ascension as] the Golden-Wheel King. Humbly we consider: Your Majesty's life extends the precious throne, and the revered statue bears the name "Awe-Inspiring Light." Because Your Majesty stands at the head of a hundred kings, the mantra bears the title "Buddha-Crown" [Uṣṇīṣa]. Respectfully examining the Mahoṣṇīṣa: when all Tathāgatas attain unexcelled complete enlightenment, they all receive this mantra; even down to the imperial rank of the Golden Wheel, none fail to follow and practice it. Humbly we consider: Your Majesty, receiving Heaven's will, has ascended the throne, and the sage's governance is renewed. Governing the state with the true Dharma accords with the spiritual realm. We humbly hope that, slightly cultivating reverent mindfulness, [Your Majesty] will seal and wear it. Then it will broadly extend supreme transformation to the Eastern Region, and prolong the sage's longevity to that of the Southern Mountains. Incapable of bearing the utmost rejoicing, [I] respectfully present it along with this memorial. Lightly desecrating the royal screen and imperial majesty, I am overcome with trembling and dread. Respectfully spoken.'

The Emperor endorsed it, saying:
'The auspicious sandalwood image and the authentic palm-leaf text—South India is far away, and they are difficult to encounter in the central realm. The Superior One, with compassionate pity, has brought them sealed and protected; not keeping them secret to the Saṃgha, he has transmitted them to the imperial gates. Gaining what was never before had brings genuine comfort to Our heart.'

On the tenth day of the seventh month of Baoying 2, the reign title of Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor was bestowed; the year was Guimao. On the eleventh day of the seventh month, the era was changed to the first year of Guande; the year was still Guimao. On the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, the Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Amoghavajra of Daxingshan Monastery requested to establish an initiation bodhimaṇḍa for the state:

'To the right: Amoghavajra has heard that Vairocana encompasses ten thousand realms, and the secret seals and true tallies swallow all scriptures. In accordance with their teachings, there are the sudden and the gradual. "Gradual" refers to the Śrāvakas of the Hīnayāna ascending the altar as a place of learning; "sudden" refers to the initiation Dharma gate for Bodhisattva-Mahāsattvas. This is the level path to reaching the ultimate, the authentic station for entering Buddhahood. "Crown" [mūrdhan/uṣṇīṣa] refers to the crown of the head, representing the supreme loftiness of great practice. "Initiation" [abhiṣeka] refers to pouring on and upholding, clarifying the protective mindfulness of all Buddhas. Transcending and attaining release—what does not proceed from this? For this reason, disciplining oneself and serving diligently without sparing day or night, vowing in intention to praise and admire—how could one dare to be negligent? It is hoped that during midsummer and the three long-fast months of each year, [an initiation platform] may be erected according to the sūtras, adorning pure flowers to open awakening, causing those with consciousness to return to truth. Thus may the frontiers be quieted, and the sage's person enjoy myriad longevities. Incapable of bearing the utmost sincerity, I respectfully proceed to the Right Yintai Gate to present this memorial of request for imperial awareness. If heavenly grace should permit it, I pray it be decreed.'