貞元新定釋教目錄 16.5.5

16.5.5

conditions. Therefore, honoring his title and continuing precedents are ways of 'forcing a name'. The late Palace Grand Master Standing on Equal Footing with the Three Excellencies, probationary Chamberlain for the Ceremonial for Foreigners, Duke of the State of Su, Tripiṭaka [master] of Da Xingshan Monastery, Da Guangzhi Bukong (Amoghavajra), was vast in virtue and lofty in the Way, one whom We revered as Our master. His mind kept secret the Dharma seal; his practice transcended the gate of salvation. In subtleties he gave exposition; in vastness he was without characteristics. The moisture of a single rain universally permeated the multitude of beings; the transmission of a hundred lamps illumined everywhere with correct awakening. Broadly penetrating doctrinal tenets, he was widely conversant with Confucianism and the Mysterious [learning]. The sentiments of a sage matched [Our own] like halves of a tally. Year after year, We turned into the wind and took the front mat. Now the boat of compassion stays no longer; the supporting beam is broken. His admirable voice is forever parted, and Our shock and grief are exceedingly profound. When discussing the Way, an official [post] should pursue and honor the rites due a master, and a posthumous title should be added to match the name and reality. He may be posthumously awarded [the office of] Minister of Works (Sikong) and granted the posthumous title 'Great Tripiṭaka Preceptor of Eloquence, Rectitude, and Vast Wisdom, Bukong'.
On the sixth day, guimao, the funeral rites were arranged. His spirit was moved to the south of the city for the cremation (jhāpita) and offerings. The Emperor dispatched the palace attendant Liu Xianhe with an offering of incense and tea to pay respectful sacrifice to the spirit of the late Great Tripiṭaka Preceptor of Eloquence, Rectitude, and Vast Wisdom: 'O Spirit! Your wisdom and knowledge were brilliant and clear, your endowed nature intelligent and insightful. Planting pure conduct long ago, you were born knowing superior causes. Prominent and exceptional in the Five Indies, you traveled thousands of miles. Your mind harbored the ocean storehouse; your speech bridged China and the barbarian lands. Transmitting sūtras from palm leaves, you expounded the teachings of Yoga. Vastly benefiting the myriads of commoners, you went in and out of three reigns. The Way lies in no words; principle is equally trackless. Nirvāṇa is eternally serene, the ultimate return of supreme sages. Burning incense and bathing your body, you vanished together with transformation. We recently received the definitive meaning and fully observed the courtesies of disciple to master. On this morning of eternal parting, Our shock and grief are deeply profound. May your spirit look upon this offering of incense and tea.' In this month, prime ministers, palace favorites, the Shence Six Armies, the Censor-in-Chief, the Mayor of Jingzhao, the Vice Directors of the Department of State Affairs, the Vice Ministers, the Chamberlains of the Nine Courts, and the Generals of the Guards each offered sacrifices. As for the rest of the clergy and laity, they cannot be detailed fully.
At dawn on the seventh day, a memorial of thanks was submitted. Śramaṇa Huilang of Caotang and others stated: 'Yesterday, on the evening of the sixth day during the cremation of our late master, the Sagely Compassion mourned in grief, posthumously awarding him [the post of] Minister of Works and granting him the posthumous title "Great Tripiṭaka Preceptor of Eloquence, Rectitude, and Vast Wisdom, Bukong". This brightly proclaims the state's rites and brings glory to his spiritual path. The award of the Three Excellencies surpasses former regulations; the designation of "Preceptor" was never recorded in previous scriptures. By this we know that the moisture of the high heavens inundates rivers and seas without limit, and the spirit on the obscure path is illumined from above by the sun and moon. All of us, hundreds of disciples and thousands of followers, are overwhelmed with sorrow and gratitude for the sagely grace, beyond what we can bear. Respectfully entrusted to the inner commissioner Li Xiancheng, we submit this memorial to present our thanks and report. Śramaṇas Huilang and others, with sincere trepidation and shame, respectfully speak.'
The Baoying Yuansheng Wenwu Emperor endorsed: 'The Preceptor traced his footsteps from the Five Indies and traveled thousands of miles. Expounding the correct Dharma, he saved and enlightened living beings. When he returned to the constancy of nirvāṇa, We examined his conduct to elevate his posthumous title. The ritual canons provide for this; there is no need to trouble yourselves with expressing thanks.'
On the same day, an imperial decree was addressed to the monk Huilang: 'Take exclusive charge of supervising the affairs of the cloister, and also instruct junior students. Whenever there is one deity and one mudrā in sequence, submit them in a memorial.' On that day, the monk Huisheng submitted a request through a memorial asking to make offerings at the pagoda for three years, daring to devote his red-hearted sincerity to constantly tend the incense and lamp. Another imperial decree was addressed to Huisheng: 'When the Preceptor was alive, you alone grasped his mind and intentions. Now We hear that you tend the incense and lamp to guard the pagoda. Previously, you received the Samantabhadra recitation ritual from the Preceptor, sharing the same principal deity as Ourselves. Apply your effort to cultivate it diligently. After the three years are complete, come before Us, and We will discuss the method of the principal deity with you. What you requested is permitted according to your wish.'
At that time, after the fire was extinguished, the remains were collected. Inside the skull and other parts, there were all relics (śarīra), their light and appearance pure and sparkling, bright as lapis lazuli. All of this was reported to the throne. The sagely heart mourned in grief, and the inner palace bowed with heads to the ground, placing them in the bodhimaṇḍa. On the fifteenth day, another decree was addressed to Li Yuancong, Commissioner of Merit and Virtue in Charge of Temples and Monasteries in the Capital, Palace Grand Master Standing on Equal Footing with the Three Excellencies, Grand General of the Right Longwu Army, Administrator of Military Affairs, Upper Pillar of the State, and Duke of the State of Liang: 'The construction of the pagoda for the late Great Tripiṭaka Preceptor of Eloquence, Rectitude, and Vast Wisdom, Bukong, should be halted for now. Another good site should be chosen to begin construction.' On the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month, another decree was addressed to Yuancong: 'The late Tripiṭaka [master] Bianzheng obtained relics from his cremation. Order a relic pagoda to be constructed in his monastery cloister. When the construction of the pagoda is finished, erect a grand stele. The text is to be composed by Yan Ying, Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Silver and Blue Ribbon, Censor-in-Chief, Upper Pillar of the State, and Founding Duke of Fengyi County. The calligraphy is to be written by Xu Hao, Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Silver and Blue Ribbon, Grand Preceptor to the Prince of Peng, Upper Pillar of the State, and Founding Duke of Kuaiji Commandery.'
The appraisal says: Since antiquity, eminent monks of grand virtue have received extraordinary grace and favor; during life they were honored, but at death it ended. Now with the Great Tripiṭaka Preceptor of Eloquence and Rectitude, it was not so. In life he received profound benevolence and served through three reigns. He was appointed to the rank of the nine chamberlains and granted the rank of Grand Master of Special Advancement. When he took to his sickbed, inquiries followed in succession; inner messengers and famous physicians continued morning and night. He was exceptionally appointed as Palace Grand Master and enfeoffed as Duke of the State of Su. When he passed away, the Emperor's shock and grief were all the greater. The court was suspended for three days, and bestowed gifts were increased with generosity. He was appointed Minister of Works, given the posthumous title 'Bianzheng' (Eloquence and Rectitude), and still designated 'Preceptor'—something unheard of in former antiquity! He was cremated outside the city, and a pagoda was erected within the monastery; in mere days and months, all was completed. Moreover, a grand stele was erected to record his virtuous conduct, supreme beyond past and present, standing foremost in the history of the monastic community. The Censor-in-Chief composed the text, and the Prince's Grand Preceptor wrote the calligraphy; this indeed will be immortal for myriad generations! What is recorded here merely presents the broad outline. If one wishes to know fully, it is completely detailed in the Collection of Memorials and Rescripts of the Minister of Works, Tripiṭaka [Master] of Eloquence, Rectitude, and Vast Wisdom. Now, the sūtras translated by him amount to 110 works in a total of 143 fascicles, without a single work or fascicle missing. His activities spanned three reigns, and in accordance with the imperial decree above, they have been compiled into this Zhenyuan Catalogue of Buddhist Teachings.