貞元新定釋教目錄 16.5.2

16.5.2

decreed to establish a bodhimanda within the palace, permitting all the Indic scriptures brought to be translated. Emperor Suzong, matching Heaven and succeeding the sage [emperors], specially issued imperial edicts to establish the methods of homa and abhiṣeka within the palace bodhimanda, and further translated scriptures for the state to aid in propagating the imperial transformation. Repeatedly receiving the gracious edicts of the two sage [emperors], all Indic texts of previous Tripiṭaka [masters] were ordered to be searched out and gathered; where the binding cords had fallen loose, orders were given to repair them, and those that had not yet been translated were to be translated in succession and memorialised to the throne. I prostrately reflect that Your Majesty has succeeded to the imperial destiny, offering great shelter to all sentient beings, broadly opening the fields of merit, and rekindling the brilliance of the sun and moon. The waves of imperial grace extend afar, and the rain of Dharma flows divided [into many streams]; the four seas set their hearts upon [you], and all realms rejoice and offer support. Truly we know that the Buddha's entrustment indeed rests with the sage ruler. Unworthily receiving your abundant favour, Amoghavajra's honour is truly deep; day and night he contemplates how to repay the state. Formerly I received the late emperor's sacred command ordering me to expound the subtle words, and again I have received Your Majesty's gracious decree, reverently complying with his testamentary wishes, sending me once more to translate so as to benefit and save the multitude of beings. Although I have been diligent through the four seasons, I have not repaid one ten-thousandth. Therefore, humbly from morning to evening, I have carefully translated mantras and Mahāyāna scriptures, hoping to offer a tiny drop to support the imperial way above. The Vajraśekhara Yoga teachings that have been translated are the swift path to achieving Buddhahood; practitioners will surely be able to suddenly transcend ordinary realms and reach the other shore. The other classes of mantras are the expedient means of the various Buddhas, having diverse lineages. All the Mahāyāna scriptures translated are meant above to assist the state and quell disasters and perils, so that the stars do not err and wind and rain are timely, relying with reverence on the Buddha's power to aid and bring about the state's success. I have respectfully compiled all those translated earlier and later, from the Kaiyuan era up to the present sixth year of Dali, totaling 101 fascicles in seventy-six works, together with a catalogue in one fascicle, and with the names of the monastic and lay scribes appended, all copied out. I respectfully present them on the morning of [Your Majesty's] imperial birthday, hoping that the blessed protection of the mantras may forever protect the sacred person, and the mighty power of the Mahāyāna may eternally bring peace to the state's borders. As for the untranslated Indic scriptures, whatever possesses the power to protect the state and moisten living beings shall be translated in succession and memorialised to the throne. Unable to bear my utmost devotion, I respectfully present this memorial for imperial notice. Śramaṇa Amoghavajra speaks with true fear and trepidation. The Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor endorsed it, saying: 'The upādhyāya has long served the previous court, propagating and expounding the wondrous teaching, unfolding these palm leaves to guide broadly through the ferry of delusion. We have inherited the grand plan and reverently upheld the sagely intentions. The upādhyāya has further undertaken detailed translation, and now the rolls have been successively completed; eternally saving living beings is deeply praiseworthy. Let this be promulgated to the inner and outer [realms] and incorporated into the catalogue of all scriptures.' On the twenty-second day of that month, the palace commissioner Li Xiancheng reverently proclaimed the imperial edict: 'The Great Worthies have laboured greatly in translation recently. Tripiṭaka Master Amoghavajra shall be granted a total of eight hundred bolts of brocade, patterned silk, plain silk, and so forth; the ten Great Worthies who translated the scriptures together shall each be granted thirty bolts of patterned silk. We respectfully inquire of the Worthies: as it gradually grows cold, may you all be in good health.' Thereupon the Great Worthies sent thanks on the following day. On the twenty-third day of the tenth month of the sixth year of Dali, the Great Worthies translating the scriptures, including Śramaṇa Qianzhen, the sthavira of Da Xingshan Monastery, submitted a memorial. Śramaṇa Qianzhen and the others said: 'We prostrately received the sacred decree proclaimed by the palace commissioner Li Xiancheng on the twenty-second day of this month, granting thirty bolts of patterned silk to each of the ten Great Worthies translating the scriptures. Qianzhen has heard that the one who bequeaths the teaching is the Dharma King, who reigns over the three realms and manifests his traces; the one who carries out the teaching is the ruler of men, who rules over the four seas and circulates [the teaching]. Without the Dharma King, there would be no way to reveal the text of the four verses; without the ruler of men, there would be no way to expound the principle of the One Vehicle. We prostrately reflect that Your Majesty, the Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor, possesses virtue matching Heaven and Earth, and grace extending to the grasses and trees. Turning the wheel [of the law], you govern the ultimate, consecrated as the most venerated. Mobilising the gate of compassion and expedient means, you assume the station of entrustment and broad propagation. Now, the eighty works of scriptures translated, including the Renwang, the Ākāśagarbha, and the Ghanavyūha, are all the supreme teaching of the perfect voice, the true exposition of the precious realm. Neither coming nor going, this very body is the eternal body; neither ceasing nor arising, all Buddhas are the Buddha of one's own mind. Pointing to empty space as the storehouse, manifesting forms in adornment, expounding Yoga without end, knowing mantras without exhaustion. If one were not gifted with both talent and conduct, and completely harmonised in samādhi and wisdom, how could one uncover the hidden subtleties and broadly proclaim the secret mysteries? The Tripiṭaka Upādhyāya Daguangzhi Amoghavajra has excellent speech in both tongues and conduct that penetrates the three mysteries; he has obtained the empowering grace of the Pure and Full Tathāgata and met with the conditions of broad protection from the enlightened Baoying sovereign. For this reason, the principles are made clear, and the sentences are brilliantly displayed. We, Qianzhen and the others, are merely fine dust on Vulture Peak, small leaves of the Jeta Grove; our knowledge and wisdom are wild and uncultivated, our learning and arts mediocre and shallow. Fortunate to receive the heavenly regard, we were improperly included among those translating the scriptures; receiving the sacred power looking down upon us, and obtaining the final polish, the work was brought to completion. Though called foolish and blind, we nonetheless feel congratulations and solace; how much more so when we accord with the imperial compassion in permitting promulgation within and without, and being further granted patterned silk to illuminate our dullness! All those within the Dharma gate are overwhelmingly fortunate; unable to bear our extraordinary gratitude, we respectfully submit this memorial via the palace commissioner Li Xiancheng to express our thanks. Respectfully spoken.' The Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor endorsed it, saying: 'The masters' practice of the Way is profound, and their wisdom and knowledge vast. The profound purports of the three vehicles, the bequeathed volumes on ten leaves, have been translated and circulated to benefit the state. We merely express slight gifts; it is troublesome that you have come to express thanks.' On the twenty-seventh day of the first month of the seventh year of Dali, the Specially Advanced, Probationary Chamberlain for the Court of Dependencies, Tripiṭaka Śramaṇa Daguangzhi Amoghavajra of Da Xingshan Monastery, having received the imperial rescript specially permitting circulation, rejoiced and trembled, presenting a memorial of thanks. Śramaṇa Amoghavajra said: 'The palace commissioner Li Xiancheng reverently proclaimed the sacred decree, sending one imperial rescript concerning the catalogue of newly translated scriptures, and one imperial rescript answering the memorial presenting the scriptures, specially ordering them to be put into effect within and without, and moreover incorporated into the catalogue of all scriptures. Reverently upholding them, I leap and rejoice with gratitude, unable to contain my true delight and true trepidation, sighing and feeling ashamed again and again. Prostrately I reflect that Your Majesty has received the entrustment of the Dharma King, fulfilling the wishes in people's hearts; holding the secret seal of Samantabhadra, you practice the orthodox teachings of the Son of Heaven. In an instant, the sun of wisdom shines brightly over the eight directions; in a moment, great moisture pours down upon all things. This is the great fortune of all under heaven, and how much more so for Amoghavajra! Moreover, as for the sacred scriptures translated by Amoghavajra over more than forty years across three reigns, assisting in cultivating merit, the intention has been to propagate them—assisting the royal house above and moistening living beings below. How could I have expected that my longstanding wish would be fulfilled in a single day? The sacred grace is so vast that it is hard to repay in countless kalpas; how much more so when you have specially permitted the translation of all untranslated Indic texts! My sorrow and joy are redoubled, and I dare to exhaust my mind and strength. Reverently receiving the sacred decree, I shall translate them in succession and present them to the throne. Unable to bear my joy, trepidation, and gratitude, I respectfully present this memorial via the palace commissioner Li Xiancheng for imperial notice. Śramaṇa Amoghavajra speaks with true joy and shame.' The Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor endorsed it, saying: 'The upādhyāya has long realised bodhi and entered the Buddha's knowledge and vision. The scriptures translated all penetrate the subtle and refined. Thereupon We order them to be put into effect, so as to transmit the benevolent illumination, promulgate them throughout the world, and broadly save sentient beings. This has not yet glorified'