貞元新定釋教目錄 16.3

16.3

At that time, the Commissioners of the Left and Right Six Armies, witnessing these auspicious clouds, presented a memorial to offer congratulations. On the third day of the ninth month of the first year of Yongtai, Specially Promoted, Senior General of the Right Dragon-Martial Guard in Charge of Military Affairs, Upper Pillar of the State, Duke of Xu, Subject Liu Xianzhi and others submitted a memorial. Subject Xianzhi and others state: Yesterday, when welcoming the newly translated Benevolent Kings Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra Protecting the State, auspicious clouds appeared in response, presenting good omens in five colors, their radiance dispersing across the entire sky. Embracing the sun of wisdom, they were ever more vivid; following the auspicious wind, they manifested sagely virtue. Humbly we consider that Your Majesty, through the Great Way, benefits all beings, and through supreme virtue, oversees the realm; your pure sincerity moves the spirits, and numinous responses descend accordingly. Your subjects, unworthily serving in the imperial guard, have long bathed in your pure influence and personally witnessed these auspicious omens, feeling boundless rejoicing and good fortune. We respectfully proceed to the Right Yintai Gate, presenting this memorial to offer congratulations and report. Subject Xianzhi and others, in true fear and dread, bow their heads and prostrate themselves, respectfully speaking. The Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor endorsed it as follows: "The gate of non-duality early transmitted the secret treasury; reiterating its principles expands its words. About to unfold the text of palm leaves, we opened the gathering of the lotus palace. An auspicious hue floated in the heavens, and auspicious clouds adorned the sun. Manifested through spiritual penetrations, its auspicious response is made clear. Being an omen of peace and harmony, our rejoicing and comfort are shared. The congratulation is acknowledged." From this first day until the end of the bright fortnight, lectures on the scripture were held twice daily, and the path was practiced at the two appointed times. Food, drink, tea, and medicine were all provided by the relevant authorities. The six pitch-pipes and five musical notes did not cease day or night. On the sixteenth day, the fast concluded at Ximing [Monastery]. Drums, music, strings, songs, and myriad entertainment performances lasted throughout the day. When the lectures at Ximing concluded, a memorial offering congratulations was presented. On the tenth day of the ninth month of the first year of Yongtai, Senior Monk Śramaṇa Huaigan and others of Ximing Monastery submitted a memorial. Senior Monk Śramaṇa Huaigan and others of Ximing Monastery state: Having specially received the imperial command to open one hundred seats and lecture on the Benevolent Kings Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra Protecting the State, today the scripture cycle is completed and the celebratory vegetarian feast has ended. All living beings are exceedingly overjoyed. Humbly we consider that Your Majesty has renewed heaven and earth, your brilliance matching the sun and moon; in the leisure of reigning with hands folded, you have re-translated the true scripture. The sagely mind and the Buddha-mind converge on the single principle; Chinese words and Indic speech are not separated by distant realms. The garland-verses have been fully heard, and the lamp-transmitting monks can be seen. In this gold-corded realm, Maitreya descends to be born; within the Jade Capital, the Wheel-Turning King appears. The clear autumn sky is beautiful, and the harvest is about to ripen; variegated clouds float in the sky, and baleful vapors will surely be completely eradicated. Our sovereign's supreme sagacity and the Buddha's supreme compassion provide Dharma-nourishment across sands of the Ganges, bringing great fortune to all under heaven. Huaigan and the others unworthily dwell in the Jetavana, our joy boundless. Prostrating and burning incense, by what steps could we repay you? The counts of merits are presented separately sealed in a document. Respectfully we present this memorial to express thanks and report. Śramaṇa Huaigan and others, in true joy and delight, respectfully speak. The Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor endorsed it as follows: "You masters have expounded the true scripture and broadly proclaimed its wondrous principles, thereby nourishing benevolence and longevity, and rescuing and protecting living beings. Now that the Dharma assembly has ended, we shall rejoice together." At that time, the Prince of Daning Commandery, Pugu Huai'en, [though] ranked among the nobility and reaching the position of Grand Preceptor, rebelled against imperial favor, gathering the barbarians from afar in Lingwu and aggressively advancing upon Jingyang.