貞元新定釋教目錄 12.12

12.12

of past sages in the Western Regions. Xuanzang replied to all by citing the scriptures, and the Emperor received his words with deep faith and acceptance. The Emperor frequently rolled up his sleeves and sighed, saying: "We met with the Master too late, and have been unable to promote Buddhist undertakings on a grand scale!" When Gaozong succeeded to the throne, he had always held Xuanzang in deep respect; he summoned him to the palace, inquiring after him with special warmth and treating him with rituals far exceeding ordinary protocol. In the second year of Yonghui, Xuanzang requested to build a scripture terrace for Indic texts; receiving an imperial donation of materials, it was soon completed. He was also summoned into the inner palace to translate the Fazhi lun (*Jñānaprasthāna) and other śāstras in the Xiuwen Hall. Imperial rescripts written in flying-white calligraphy were sent down, conveying bountiful and warm consolations. In the first month of the first year of Xianqing, a great vegetarian feast was held at Cien Monastery on behalf of the Crown Prince, and all the court officials assembled. Xue Yuanchao, Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate (Vice Director of the Chancellery), and Li Yifu, Attendant Gentleman of the Secretariat, said: "The translation of scriptures is the greatest matter of the Buddhist Dharma; we do not know what virtue could glorify and promote it further?" Xuanzang said: "The honorable gentlemen's question touches upon what I have always cherished in my heart. Although the task of translating scriptures rests with the saṅgha, its glory and prestige ultimately depend on the court nobility. For instance, in the Former Qin, when Dharmanandin translated scriptures, the Attendant Gentleman of the Yellow Gate Zhao Wenye held the brush; under the Later Qin, when Kumārajīva translated scriptures, the ruler of Qin and Yao Song, the Marquis of Ancheng, took down the text in writing; under the Northern Wei, when Bodhiruci translated scriptures, Emperor Xuanwu and Palace Attendant Cui Guang recorded the text. Under the Qi, Liang, Zhou, and Sui, it was always likewise. In the early Zhenguan era of our Great Tang, when Prabhākaramitra made translations,