五，书籍和媒体简介（书籍）
第1496篇（转载）
(2011-11-03 13:22:34)
“把这篇文字设法译出来并不难，实际上也有人译过，可是要译得正确和准确是极为困难的，因为这篇碑文是如此古雅、崇高而深邃，在中国也是无与伦比的。”
——《中国来信》捷克耶稣会士严嘉乐神父1734年7月23日
大秦景教流行中国碑》碑文记载了基督教最早传入中国的情况。因为好奇，想知道景教（聂斯托里派的基督教——当时被判为异端）到底与我们现在所知道的基督教有什么区别？所以想看看碑文里到底说了些什么。
景教碑文现代中文翻译真是一纸难求。无奈，参照英译文，结合古文，我自己蒙了一篇现代中文译文。贴在这里，请别见笑，比没有好呀。有谁知道现成的，敬请推荐。
翻译过程中充满惊喜。
原来，唐太宗李世明是中国历史上最早的“慕道友”。公元635年，当大秦国主教阿罗本来唐时，太宗皇帝派遣宰相房公玄龄，带领臣仆们到西郊欢迎，迎宾入宫，并邀至皇帝藏书室，翻译经典，皇帝在禁宫内亲自问道。皇帝深感此道之正义和真实，下令传授于民。太宗下诏说：“详其教旨，玄妙自然，观其元宗，源于真理。言辞清晰，道理隽永。济物利人，宜行天下。”这位太宗皇帝够慕道的了吧！
另外一处也使我惊喜：这一句——“宗周德丧，青驾西升。巨唐道光，景风东扇。”原来是说：周朝衰败，老子去了西方，唐朝兴起，基督教来到东方。当年老子（公元前6世纪）留下五千字《道德经》，在函谷关，骑青牛西去，不知去向。莫非是去了大秦国（叙利亚）？逼老子留字的关令伊喜，看到“紫气东来”，便知道是圣人来了。李世民等了一千多年，可真等到“景气东来”。这一回，三一真神的使者终于亲自来到老子的故乡。
还好，唐朝开明，太宗识货，知道真道之宝贵。听听：惟道非圣不弘，圣非道不大。至理名言啊。
现代中文译文
奇妙真道，无始无终，自在永在，亘古不变，然眼所不能见。创造宇宙万物，至高至圣，三位一体，奇妙永恒独一的真神。判十字以定四极，赐圣灵以生二气；开天辟地，地不再空虚混钝；日月运行，昼夜肇始；万物匠成以后，始造人类先祖；赐予上帝本来良善和熙的形象，令人管理天地万物；性情宽厚谦卑，单纯朴素，因撒旦魔鬼的诱惑，败坏了原初完美纯洁的本性；恶性渐长，善性渐微，自结三百六十五种罗网，烦忧纷然沓至；误以偶像为源头，或将原初旨意化为乌有，或藉祈祷祭拜以求福祉，或假冒为善自傲于人。营营役役，思虑愁烦，茫然无得，徒劳无功；久久迷途在愚昧之中，找寻不到原初路径。
因此，三一真神派遣光明荣耀的圣子救主弥撒亚，降卑为人，来到人间。神差遣天使报佳音，宣告童女玛丽亚怀孕生子于大秦（叙利亚）。明星告祥，波斯博士见星象，带着礼物来朝拜圣子。二十四位圣者所著齐家治国之伟大古老的律法（旧约）因道成肉身的圣子而成全。祂建立三一真神之新教，圣灵默默指引；因信称义；祂设定八方境界，点石成金，化腐朽为神奇。祂开启真理之门，引人出死入生。祂将日光照耀黑夜，摧毁魔鬼的罪恶；乘坐慈悲之舟登临明亮殿宇；受圣灵恩膏，日清月朗，回归真我。
留下二十七卷圣书 （新约），阐明原初之智慧，开启灵魂之眼睛。行施洗之礼，洗涤浮华，洁净罪恶。以十字架为印记，万民归一。鼓瑟敬拜，恩惠之音远扬；朝东而行，奔走生命荣美之路。信徒留须以表明外在作为，理发以象征内在平静，不蓄奴卑，不分贵贱，不聚货财，有福同享，禁食警醒，洁身自好，一日七次礼赞，七日一次祭奠，洗涤心灵，回归圣洁。
永恒真理之道，奇妙而难以命名。其功用昭彰，勉强称之为景教。道不圣不能彰显，圣无道不能弘扬。圣道契合，天下文明。
唐代开国皇帝太宗年间，贤明的圣人大秦国主教阿罗本，从叙利亚来到中土。驾青云，载真经，乘风破浪，不畏艰险，于公元635年（贞观9年），抵达长安。太宗皇帝派遣宰相房公玄龄，带领臣仆们到西郊欢迎，迎宾入宫。邀至皇帝藏书室，翻译经典，皇帝在禁宫内亲自问道。深感此道之正义和真实，皇帝下令传授于民。
贞观十二年七月，皇帝诏令约：“圣道没有恒定不变的名字，圣人没有始终如一的身体。教化随地域而设，为使众生得益裨。德高望重的叙利亚主教阿罗本，携带经文和圣像，远道而来，靖献于京城。详其教旨，玄妙自然，观其元宗，源于真理。言辞清晰，道理隽永。济物利人，宜行天下。”于是，命令在京城义宁坊建造大秦寺（教堂）一所，由二十一位僧人（教士）管理。周朝衰败，老子去了西方，唐朝兴起，基督教来到东方。
太宗命画皇帝肖像一幅，悬挂于寺庙之壁，天姿泛彩，满室生光。圣光祥和，永远的光芒照亮了殿宇。
根据西域图记和汉魏史策，大秦国南统珊瑚之海，北极众宝之山，西望仙境花令，东接长风若水。出产火棉布，返魂香，明月珠，夜光壁，夜不闭户，人民康乐。律法非光明不能通行，君主非贤明不能坚立。疆土广阔，文风昌明。
高宗皇帝继位，仰慕真道。于诸 郡建立景教寺，立阿罗本为镇国大法主。大道畅行于民间，国安民富。景教寺遍布各城，家庭殷实而幸福。
圣历年（公元699年），佛教得势，佛教言语在东边盛行。先天末年（公元713年），卑鄙之徒在西边讥笑诽谤。景教主持罗含，主教及烈，以及各城尊敬的高僧（教士）舍弃俗世的追求，同心合一，极力维护天道。玄宗皇帝名令宁国等五位郡主，亲临吉祥的景教寺，建立敬拜之所。他重修了倾倒的法梁，重竖了废弃的道石。
天宝初年（公元742年），玄宗至道皇帝令大将军高力士送五皇画像，安置于寺内。并赐绢百匹，以示庆祝。龙须虽远，弓剑可攀，日角舒光，天颜咫尺。公元744年，大秦国僧侣洁和，望着这颗感化人心的星星（中国），监察如同日头发光的帝王，来朝廷拜访。皇帝差遣罗含、普论等一行七人，在兴庆宫，与洁和主教做礼拜。于是，皇帝在教堂题字立碑。其光彩如翡翠霞光，其智慧如四射光芒。美丽的馈赠高过南山，丰富的恩泽深于东海。大道无所不含，所行均可命名。圣人无所不能，所为均可述说。
肃宗文明皇帝在灵武等五郡重建景教寺，美善的福分临到国土，帝业建立，普天庆贺。代宗文武皇帝大力推广遵行圣道，崇尚自然无为。圣诞之日，赐天香以宣告成功，发粮食以荣耀圣道。圣人活出圣道之美善，故圣道得以广传。
我们圣人般的文武皇帝设立了朝廷八个分部，以辨幽暗与贤明。分辟九类，更新教义。阐明玄理，无愧于心。圣道宽广，专静而恕，救赎苦难，赐福大众。圣道扎根，渐行推广。若能使风调雨顺，天下宁静，人顺道理，物体洁净，生活安宁，死者安乐，沟通融洽，情发自诚，此乃景教之功用啊。
大恩人伊斯僧，北方节度副使（Associated Secondary Military Commissioner for the Northern Region)、试殿中监（Examination-Palace Overseer），身着御赐金紫袈裟，性情温和，虔诚躬行。他从王含之城（Rajagriha）来到中国，睿智博学，多才多艺。先效力于宫廷，后在疆场扬名。中书令汾阳郡王郭子仪，起先在北方领兵，后随肃宗皇帝旅行。他虽为皇家内侍，路途中与他人等同。为肃宗之手足，军中之耳目。乐施善助。将御赐之珠宝以及黄金地毯献上。不仅修缮旧堂，并且建设新堂。装饰殿堂，廊宇辉煌。在行为中彰显真道，依仁施利。每年召集各寺僧侣，灵修侍奉五十天，寒冷有衣穿，生病得医治，死者得安葬。最虔诚的佛教僧侣之中，如此美善者闻所未闻。身穿白衣的景教信徒，见如此信德，愿刻碑立传，以纪念弘扬他们的德行。
无始无终，亘古永恒的真神，无声无息，无形无像，
拥有教化和完善的权柄和能力，创造了万物天地，
三一真神派遣圣子，降临人间，施行无边的拯救。
太阳升起，黑暗消失，见证真神的奥秘。
太宗皇帝，荣耀辉煌，继承前帝之道，
平定乱象，天地乾坤扩大，
光明的景教传至唐朝，
翻译经典，建立教堂，生死有渡，
百福皆作，万邦康乐。
高宗继位，修筑圣殿，
和谐宽敞明亮的宫殿遍满中土。
真道宣明，封官正法，井然有条。
人民康乐，天下太平。
玄宗登临皇位，克己躬行，灵修正道，
御榜扬辉，天书蔚映，
皇图璀璨，全国崇敬，
百业兴旺，安居乐业。
肃宗继位，治理国土带着天威，
如日头般明亮舒展，和祥之风吹遍全地，
皇室归于安乐，肃杀之风永远凋谢。
骚动叛乱止息，皇朝坚立。
代宗孝顺公义，德合天地。
开明慷慨，国富民强，
赏赐恩德，仁爱好施，
如日辉煌，如月璀璨。
建宗统极之时，韦修明德，
武力平息四海，文章万域清明，
观测人心，镜观万物，
光照全地，百蛮景仰。
真道何等宽广！人之回应何等渺小！
三一真神难以命名！
主的作为是应当称颂的。
于是，建立丰碑，歌颂那自在永在的上帝。
建于大唐建中二年（公元781年），元月第七日，主日。
建立时，法主僧宁恕主管东方景教众圣徒
朝议朗前行太司土参军吕秀岩书
（陈上宇博士译于 2011年11月2日）
转载于2015,2,4
大 案 寺 僧 景 净述
粤 若 常 然 真 寂 ， 先 先 而 无 元 ， 青 然 灵 虚 ， 后 后 而 妙 有 ，
想 玄 枢 而 造 化 ， 妙 众 圣 以 元 尊 者 ， 其 唯 我 三 一 妙 身 、
无 元 真 主 阿 罗 河 钦 ！ 判 十 字 以 定 四 方 ， 鼓 元 风 而 生 二 气 。
暗 空 易 而 天 地 开 ， 日 月 运 而 昼 夜 作 。 匠 成 万 物 ， 然 立 初 人 。
别 赐 良 和 ， 令 镇 化 海 。 浑 元 之 性 ， 虚 而 不 盈 。 素 荡 之 心 ，
本 无 希 嗜 。 泊 乎 娑 弹 施 妾 ， 细 饰 纯 精 。 间 平 大 于 此 是 之 中 ，
隙 冥 同 于 彼 非 之 内 。 是 以 三 百 六 十 五 种 ， 肩 随 结 辙 ， 竞 织
法 罗 ； 或 指 物 以 托 宗 ， 或 空 有 以 沦 二 ， 或 祷 祀 以 邀 福 ， 或
伐 善 以 矫 人 。 智 虑 营 营 ， 思 情 役 役 。 茫 然 无 得 ， 煎 迫 转 烧 ，
积 昧 亡 途 ， 久 迷 体 复 。 于 是 我 三 一 分 身 景 尊 弥 施 何 ，
戢 隐 真 威 ， 同 人 出 代 。 神 天 宣 庆 ， 室 女 诞 圣 于 大 秦 。 景 宿
告 祥 ， 波 斯 睹 耀 以 来 贡 。 圆 二十 四 圣 有 说 之 旧 法 ， 理 家 国 于
大 猷 。 设 三 一 冷 风 无 言 之 新 教 ， 陶 良 用 于 正 信 。 制 八 境
之 度 ， 炼 尘 成 真 。 启 三 常 之 门 ， 开 生 灭 死 。 悬 景 日 以 破 暗
府 ， 魔 安 于 是 乎 悉 摧 。 掉 慈 航 以 登 明 宫 ， 含 灵 于 是 乎 既 济 。
能 事 斯 毕 ， 亭 午 升 真 。 经 留 二十 七 部 ， 张 元 化 以 发 灵 关 。 法
浴 水 风 ， 涤 浮 华 而 洁 虚 白 。 印 持 十 字 ， 融 四 照 以 合 无 拘 。
击 木 震 仁 惠 之 音 ， 东 礼 趣 生 荣 之 路 。 存 须 所 以 有 外 行 ， 削
顶 所 以 无 内 情 。 不 畜 臧 获 ， 均 贵 贱 于 人 。 不 聚 货 财 ， 示 磬
遗 子 我 。 斋 以 伏 识 而 成 ， 戒 以 静 慎 为 固 。 七 时 礼 赞 ， 大 庇
存 亡 。 七 日 一 荐 ， 洗心反 素 。 真 常 之 道 ， 妙 而 难 名 。 功 用
昭 彰 ， 强 称 景 教 。 惟 道 非 圣 不 弘 ， 圣 非 道 不 大 。 道 圣 符 契 ，
天 下 文 明 。 太 宗 文 皇 帝 光 华 启 运 ， 明 圣 临 人 。 大 秦 国
有 上 德 回 阿 罗 本 ， 占 青 云 而 载 真 经 ， 望 风 律 以 驰 艰 险 。 贞
观 九 祀 ， 至 于 长 安 。 帝 使 宰 臣 房 公 玄 龄 ， 稳 仗 西 郊 ， 宾
迎 入 内 。 翻 经 书 殿 ， 问 道 禁 闱 。 深 知 正 真 ， 特 令 传 授 。 贞
观 十 有 二 年 秋 七 月 ， 诏 曰 ： 道 无 常 名 ， 圣 无 常 体 ， 随 方 设
教 ， 密 济 群 生 。 大 秦 国 大 德 阿 罗 本 ， 远 将 经 像 ， 来 献 上 京 。
详 其 教 旨 ， 玄 妙 无 为 。 观 其 元 宗 ， 生 成 立 要 。 词 无 繁 说 ，
理 有 忘 筌 济 物 利 人 ， 宜 行 天 下 。 所 司 即 于 京 义 宁 坊 造 大
秦 寺 一 所 ， 度 僧 二十一 人 。 宗 周 德 丧 ， 青 驾 西 升 。 巨 唐 道 光 ，
景 风 东 扇 。 旋 令 有 司 将 帝 写 真 转 模 寺 壁 。 天 姿 泛 彩 ， 英朗 景 门 。
圣 迹 腾 祥 ， 永 辉 法 界 。 按 西域 图 记 及 汉 魏 史 策 ，
大 秦 国 南 统 珊 瑚 之 海 ， 北 极 众 宝 之 山 ， 西 望 仙 境 花 林 ， 东
接 长 风 弱 水 。 其 土 出 火 烧 布 、 返 魂 香 、 明 月 珠 、 夜 光 壁 。
俗 无 寇 盗 ， 人 有 乐 康 。 法 非 景 不 行 ， 主 非 德 不 立 。 土 宇 广
阔 ， 文 物 昌 明 。 高 宗 大 帝 ， 克 恭 统 祖 ， 润 色 大 宗 ， 而
于 诸 州 ， 各 置 景 寺 ， 仍 崇 阿 罗 本 为 镇 国 大 法 主 。 法 流 十 道 ，
国 富 无 休 ； 寺 满 百 城 ， 家 殷 景 福 。 圣 历 年 ， 释 子 用 壮 腾 口
于 东 周 ； 先 天 末 ， 下 士 大 笑 ， 讪 谤 于 西 镐 。 有 若 僧 首 罗 含 ，
大 德 及 烈 ， 并 金 方 贵 绪 ， 物 外 高 僧 ， 共 振 玄 纲 ， 俱 维 绝 纽 。
玄 宗 至 道 皇 帝 令 宁 国 等 五 王 亲 临 福 宇 ， 建 立 坛 场 。 法
栋 暂 挠 而 更 崇 ， 道 石 时 倾 而 复 正 。 天 宝 初 ， 令 大 将 军 高 力
士 送 五 圣 写 真 ， 寺 内 安 置 。 赐 绢 百 足 ， 奉 庆 睿 图 。 龙
髯 虽 远 ， 弓 剑 可 攀 。 日 角 舒 光 ， 天 颜 咫尺 。 三 载 ， 大 秦 国
有 憎 信 和 ， 瞻 星 向 化 ， 望 日 朝 尊 。 诏 僧 罗 含 、 僧 普 论 等 一
七 人 ， 与 大 德 伯 和 于 兴 庆 宫 修 功 德 。 于 是 天 题 专 榜 ， 额 戴
龙 书 。 宝 装 难 翠 ， 灼 烁 丹 霞 。 睿 和 宏 空 ， 腾 凌 激 日 。 宠 金
比 南 山 峻 极 ， 沛 泽 与 东 海 齐 深 。 道 无 不 可 ， 所 可 可 名 。 圣
无 不 作 ， 所 作 可 达 。 肃 宗 文 明 皇 帝 于 灵 武 等 五 郡 重 立
景 寺 ， 元 善 资 而 福 作 开 ， 大 庆 临 而 皇 业 建 。 代 宗 文 武 皇
帝 ， 使 张 圣 运 ， 从 事 无 为 ， 每 于 降 诞 之 辰 ， 锡 天 香 以 告 成
功 ， 颁 御 馍 以 光 景 众 。 且 乾 以 美 利 ， 故 能 广 生 。 圣 以 体 元 ，
故 能 亭 毒 。 我 建 中 圣 神 文 武 皇 帝 ， 拔 八 政 以 黜 涉 幽 明 ，
阐 九 畴 以 惟 新 景 命 。 化 通 玄 理 ， 祝 无 愧 心 。 至 于 方 大 而 虚 ，
专 静 而 恕 ， 广 慈 救 众 苦 ， 善 贷 被 群 生 者 ， 我 修 行 之 大 猷 ，
汲 引 之 阶 渐 也 。 若 使 风 雨 时 ， 天 下 静 ， 人 能 理 ， 物 能 清 ，
存 能 昌 ， 殁 能 乐 ， 念 生 响 应 ， 情 发 自 诚 者 ， 我 景 力 能 事 之
功 用 也 。 大 施 主 金 紫 光 禄 大 夫 、 同 朔 方 节 度 副 使 、 试 殿 中
监 、 赐 紫 袈 裟 僧 伊 斯 ， 和 而 好 惠 ， 闻 道 勤 行 。 远 自 王 舍 之城 ，
幸 来 中 夏 ， 术 高 三 代 ， 艺 博 十全 。 始 效 节 于 丹 庭 ， 乃
策 名 于 王 帐 。 中 书 令 汾 阳 郡 王 郭 公 子 仪 ， 初 总 戎 于 朔 方 也 ，
肃 宗 体 之 从 边 。 虽 见 亲 于 卧 内 ， 不 自 异 于 行 间 。 为 公
爪 牙 ， 作 军 耳 目 。 能 散 禄 赐 ， 不 积 于 家 。 献 临 思 之 颇 黎 ，
布 辞 想 之 金 局 。 或 仍 其 旧 寺 ， 或 重 广 法 堂 。 崇 饰 廊 宇 ， 如
单 斯 飞 。 更 效 景 门 ， 依 仁 施 利 。 每 岁 集 四 寺 僧 徒 ， 虔 事 精
供 ， 备 诸 五 旬 。 馁 者 来 而 饭 之 ， 寒 者 来 而 衣 之 ， 病 者 疗 而
起 之 ， 死 者 葬 而 安 之 。 清 节 达 娑 ， 未 闻 斯 美 。 白 衣 景 士 ，
今 见 其 人 。 愿 刻 洪 碑 ， 以 扬 休 烈 。 词 曰 ： 真 主 无 元 ， 湛
寂 常 然 。 权 舆 匠 化 ， 起 地 立 天 。 分 身 出 代 ， 救 度 无 边 。 日
升 暗 灭 ， 成 证 真 玄 。 赫 赫 文 皇 ， 道 冠 前 王 。 乘 时 拨 乱 ，
乾 廓 坤 张 。 明 明 景 教 ， 言 归 我 唐 。 翻 经 建 寺 ， 存 殁 舟 航 。
百 福 偕 作 ， 万 邦 之 康 。 高 宗 纂 祖 ， 更 筑 精 宇 。 和 宫 敞
朗 ， 遍 满 中 土 。 真 道 宣 明 ， 式 封 法 主 。 人 有 乐 康 ， 物 无 灾
苦 。 玄 宗 启 圣 ， 克 修 真 正 。 御 榜 扬 辉 ， 天 书 蔚 映 。 皇
图 难 灿 ， 率 土 高 敬 。 庶 绩 咸 熙 ， 人 赖 其 庆 。 肃 宗 来 复 ，
天 威 引 驾 。 圣 日 舒 昌 ， 祥 风 扫 夜 。 柞 归 皇 室 ， 妖 氛 永 谢 。
止 沸 定 生 ， 造 我 区 夏 。 代 宗 孝 义 ， 德 合 天 地 。 开 贷 生
成 ， 物 资 美 利 。 香 以 报 功 ， 仁 以 作 施 。 赐 谷 来 威 ， 月 窟 毕
草 。 建 中 登 极 ， 进 修 明 德 。 武 肃 四 滨 ， 文 清 万 域 。 烛
临 人 隐 ， 镜 现 物 色 。 六 合 昭 苏 ， 百 蛮 取 则 。 道 惟 广 兮 应 惟
密 ， 强 名 言 兮 演 三 一 。 主 能 作 兮 臣 能 述 ， 建 丰 碑 兮 颂
元 吉 。
大 唐 建 中 二 年 岁 在 作 噩 太 簇 月 七 日 大 耀 森 文 日 建 立
时 法 主 僧 宁 恕 知 东 方 之 景 众 也 。
朝 议 郎 前 行 台 州 司 士 参 军 吕 秀 岩 书
助 检 校 试 太 常 卿 赐 紫 袈 裟 寺 主 僧 业 利
景教碑文英译
East Asian History Sourcebook:
Ch'ing-Tsing:
Nestorian Tablet: Eulogizing the Propagation of the Illustrious Religion in China, with a Preface, composed by a priest of the Syriac Church, 781 A.D.
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[Horne Introduction]:
This remarkable record of the fact that Christianity flourished in medieval China is a huge stone about ten feet high. Carven dragons and a cross adorn its summit, and its main shaft is completely covered with some two thousand Chinese characters. It stands now in the Peilin or "Forest of Tablets" in Sian-fu, this Peilin being a great hall specially devoted to the preservation of old historic tablets. Up to a few years ago the ancient stone stood with other unvalued monuments in the grounds of a Buddhist monastery, exposed to all the assault of the elements. Only European urgence has led to its being preserved in the Peilin.
The Nestorian sect of Christians still exists in Western Asia and was in a thriving condition in Syria in the sixth century. It sent missionaries widely over Asia. Marco Polo recorded having found Christian churches in China; and Roman Catholic missionaries of later centuries found there a few Nestorians still practising a debased formof their half-forgotten faith. This much concerning the Nestorian Christianity in China we have long known. Then, with the modern opening of the empire, the old Nestorian stone was found. It tells its own history, and tells it plainly, how the Nestorian monks came, how Chinese officials were appointed to listen to their explanations, and gravely approved of the new religion as having "excellent principles." Various emperors accepted, or at least included, Christianity among their religions; and the faith prospered, and had many thousands of followers, and in the year A.D. 781 erected this stone in commemoration of its triumphs.
Now, alas, only the stone remains. The record of the sect's decay has needed no stone to make it manifest. Nestorian Christianity, shut off from its mother land by the rise of the Mohammedan powers in between, proved unable to resist the inroads of ignorance and superstition and changing political affairs. It degenerated and disappeared.
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"Behold the unchangeably true and invisible, who existed through all eternity without origin; the far-seeing perfect intelligence, whose mysterious existence is everlasting; operating on primordial substance he created the universe, being more excellent than all holy intelligences, inasmuch as he is the source of all that is honorable. This is our eternal true lord God, triune and mysterious in substance. He appointed the cross as the means for determining the four cardinal points, he moved the original spirit, and produced the two principles of nature; the somber void was changed, and heaven and earth were opened out; the sun and moon revolved, and day and night commenced; having perfected all inferior objects, he then made the first man; upon him he bestowed an excellent disposition, giving him in charge the government of all created beings; man, acting out the original principles of his nature, was pure and unostentatious; his unsullied and expansite mind was free from the least inordinate desire; until Satan introduced the seeds of falsehood, to deteriorate his purity of principle; the opening thus commenced in his virtue gradually enlarged, and by this crevice in his nature was obscured and rendered vicious; hence three hundred and sixty-five sects followed each other in continuous track, inventing every species of doctrinal complexity; while some pointed to material objects as the source of their faith, others reduced all to vacancy, even to the annihilation of the two primeval principles, some sought to call down blessings by prayers and supplications, while others by an assumption of excellence held themselves up as superior to their fellows; their intellects and thoughts continually wavering, their minds and affections incessantly on the move, they never obtained their vast desires, but being exhausted and distressed they revolved in their own heated atmosphere; till by an accumulation of obscurity they lost their path, and after long groping in darkness they were unable to return. Thereupon, our Trinity being divided in nature, the illustrious and honorable Messiah, veiling his true dignity, appeared in the world as a man; angelic powers promulgated the glad tidings, a virgin gave birth to the Holy One in Syria; a bright star announced the felicitous event, and Persians observing the splendor came to present tribute; the ancient dispensation, as declared by the twenty-four holy men [the writers of the Old Testament], was then fulfilled, and he laid down great principles for the government of families and kingdoms; he established the new religion of the silent operation of the pure spirit of the Triune; he rendered virtue subservient to direct faith; he fixed the extent of the eight boundaries, thus completing the truth and freeing it from dross; he opened the gate of the three constant principles, introducing life and destroying death; he suspended the bright sun to invade the chambers of darkness, and the falsehoods of the devil were thereupon defeated; he set in motion the vessel of mercy by which to ascend to the bright mansions, whereupon rational beings were then released, having thus completed the manifestation of his power, in clear day he ascended to his true station.
Twenty-seven sacred books [the number in the New Testament] have been left, which disseminate intelligence by unfolding the original transforming principles. By the rule for admission, it is the custom to apply the water of baptism, to wash away all superficial show and to cleanse and purify the neophytes. As a seal, they hold the cross, whose influence is reflected in every direction, uniting all without distinction. As they strike the wood, the fame of their benevolence is diffused abroad; worshiping toward the east, they hasten on the way to life and glory; they preserve the beard to symbolize their outward actions, they shave the crown to indicate the absence of inward affections; they do not keep slaves, but put noble and mean all on an equality; they do not amass wealth, but cast all their property into the common stock; they fast, in order to perfect themselves by self-inspection; they submit to restraints, in order to strengthen themselves by silent watchfulness; seven times a day they have worship and praise for the benefit of the living and the dead; once in seven days they sacrifice, to cleanse the heart and return to purity.
It is difficult to find a name to express the excellence of the true and unchangeable doctrine; but as its meritorious operations are manifestly displayed, by accommodation it is named the Illustrious Religion. Now without holy men, principles cannot become expanded; without principles, holy men cannot become magnified; but with holy men and right principles, united as the two parts of a signet, the world becomes civilized and enlightened.
In the time of the accomplished Emperor Tai-tsung, the illustrious and magnificent founder of the dynasty, among the enlightened and holy men who arrived was the most-virtuous Olopun, from the country of Syria. Observing the azure clouds, he bore the true sacred books; beholding the direction of the winds, he braved difficulties and dangers. In the year of our Lord 635 he arrived at Chang-an; the Emperor sent his Prime Minister, Duke Fang Hiuen-ling; who, carrying the official staff to the west border, conducted his guest into the interior; the sacred books were translated in the imperial library, the sovereign investigated the subject in his private apartments; when becoming deeply impressed with the rectitude and truth of the religion, he gave special orders for its dissemination.
In the seventh month of the year A.D. 638 the following imperial proclamation was issued:
"Right principles have no invariable name, holy men have no invariable station; instruction is established in accordance with the locality, with the object of benefiting the people at large. The greatly virtuous Olopun, of the kingdom of Syria, has brought his sacred books and images from that distant part, and has presented them at our chief capital. Having examined the principles of this religion, we find them to be purely excellent and natural; investigating its originating source, we find it has taken its rise from the establishment of important truths; its ritual is free from perplexing expressions, its principles will survive when the framework is forgot; it is beneficial to all creatures; it is advantageous to mankind. Let it be published throughout the Empire, and let the proper authority build a Syrian church in the capital in the I-ning May, which shall be governed by twenty-one priests. When the virtue of the Chau Dynasty declined, the rider on the azure ox ascended to the west; the principles of the great Tang becoming resplendent, the Illustrious breezes have come to fan the East."
Orders were then issued to the authorities to have a true portrait of the Emperor taken; when it was transferred to the wall of the church, the dazzling splendor of the celestial visage irradiated the Illustrious portals. The sacred traces emitted a felicitous influence, and shed a perpetual splendor over the holy precincts. According to the Illustrated Memoir of the Western Regions, and the historical books of the Han and Wei dynasties, the kingdom of Syria reaches south to the Coral Sea; on the north it joins the Gem Mountains; on the west it extends toward the borders of the immortals and the flowery forests; on the east it lies open to the violent winds and tideless waters. The country produces fire-proof cloth, life-restoring incense, bright moon-pearls, and night-luster gems. Brigands and robbers are unknown, but the people enjoy happiness and peace. None but Illustrious laws prevail; none but the virtuous are raised to sovereign power. The land is broad and ample, and its literary productions are perspicuous and clear.
The Emperor Kau-tsung respectfully succeeded his ancestor, and was still more beneficent toward the institution of truth. In every province he caused Illustrious churches to be erected, and ratified the honor conferred upon Olopun, making him the great conservator of doctrine for the preservation of the State. While this doctrine pervaded every channel, the State became enriched and tranquillity abounded. Every city was full of churches, and the royal family enjoyed luster and happiness. In the year A.D. 699 the Buddhists, gaining power, raised their voices in the eastern metropolis; in the year A.D. 713, some low fellows excited ridicule and spread slanders in the western capital. At that time there was the chief priest Lohan, the greatly virtuous Kie-leih, and others of noble estate from the golden regions, lofty-minded priests, having abandoned all worldly interests; who unitedly maintained the grand principles and preserved them entire to the end. The high-principled Emperor Hiuen-tsung caused the Prince of Ning and others, five princes in all, personally to visit the felicitous edifice; he established the place of worship; he restored the consecrated timbers which had been temporarily thrown down; and re-erected the sacred stones which for a time had been desecrated.
In A.D. 742 orders were given to the great general Kau Lih-sz', to send the five sacred portraits and have them placed in the church, and a gift of a hundred pieces of silk accompanied these pictures of intelligence. Although the dragon's beard was then remote, their bows and swords were still within reach; while the solar horns sent forth their rays, and celestial visages seemed close at hand. In A.D. 744 the priest Kih-ho, in the kingdom of Syria, looking toward the star [of China], was attracted by its transforming influence, and observing the sun [i.e., the Emperor], came to pay court to the most honorable. The Emperor commanded the priest Lo-han, the priest Pu-lun, and others, seven in all, together with the greatly virtuous Kih-ho, to perform a service of merit in the Hing-king palace. Thereupon the Emperor composed mottoes for the sides of the church, and the tablets were graced with the royal inscriptions; the accumulated gems emitted their effulgence, while their sparkling brightness vied with the ruby clouds; the transcripts of intelligence suspended in the void shot forth their rays as reflected by the sun; the bountiful gifts exceeded the height of the southern hills; the bedewing favors were deep as the eastern sea. Nothing is beyond the range of the right principle, and what is permissible may be identified; nothing is beyond the power of the holy man, and that which is practicable may be related.
The accomplished and enlightened Emperor Suh-tsung rebuilt the Illustrious churches in Ling-wu and four other places; great benefits were conferred, and felicity began to increase; great munificence was displayed, and the imperial State became established. The accomplished and military Emperor Tai-tsung magnified the sacred succession, and honored the latent principle of nature; always, on the incarnation-day, he bestowed celestial incense, and ordered the performance of a service of merit; he distributed of the imperial viands, in order to shed a glory on the Illustrious Congregation. Heaven is munificent in the dissemination of blessings, whereby the benefits of life are extended; the holy man embodies the original principle of virtue, whence he is able to counteract noxious influences.
Our sacred and sage-like, accomplished and military Emperor Kien-chung appointed the eight branches of government, according to which he advanced or degraded the intelligent and dull; he opened up the nine categories, by means of which he renovated the Illustrious decrees; his transforming influence pervaded the most abstruse principles, while openness of heart distinguished his devotions. Thus, by correct and enlarged purity of principle, and undeviating consistency in sympathy with others; by extended commiseration rescuing multitudes from misery, while disseminating blessings on all around, the cultivation of our doctrine gained a grand basis, and by gradual advances its influence was diffused. If the winds and rains are seasonable, the world will be at rest; men will be guided by principle, inferior objects will be pure; the living will be at ease, and the dead will rejoice; the thoughts will produce their appropriate response, the affections will be free, and the eyes will be sincere; such is the laudable condition which we of the Illustrious Religion are laboring to attain.
Our great benefactor, the Imperially conferred purple-gown priest, I-sz', titular Great Statesman of the Banqueting-house, Associated Secondary Military Cornmissioner for the Northern Region, and Examination-palace Overseer, was naturally mild and graciously disposed; his mind susceptible of sound doctrine, he was diligent in the performance; from the distant city of Rajagriha, he came to visit China; his principles more lofty than those of the three dynasties, his practise was perfect in every department; at first he applied himself to duties pertaining to the palace, eventually his name was inscribed on the military roll. When the Duke Koh Tsz'-i, Secondary Minister of State and Prince of Fan-yang, at first conducted the military in the northern region, the Emperor Suh-tsung made him (I-sz') his attendant on his travels; although he was a private chamberlain, he assumed no distinction on the march; he was as claws and teeth to the duke, and in rousing the military he was as ears and eyes; he distributed the wealth conferred upon him, not accumulating treasure for his private use; he made offerings of the jewelry which had been given by imperial favor, he spread out a golden carpet for devotion; now he repaired the old churches, anon he increased the number of religious establishments; he honored and decorated the various edifices, till they resembled the plumage of the pheasant in its flight; moreover, practising the discipline of the Illustrious Religion, he distributed his riches in deeds of benevolence; every year he assembled those in the sacred office from four churches, and respectfully engaged them for fifty days in purification and preparation; the naked came and were clothed; the sick were attended to and restored; the dead were buried in repose; even among the most pure and self-denying of the Buddhists, such excellence was never heard of; the white-clad members of the Illustrious Congregation, now considering these men, have desired to engrave a broad tablet, in order to set forth a eulogy of their magnanimous deeds.
ODE
The true Lord is without origin,
Profound, invisible, and unchangeable;
With power and capacity to perfect and transform,
He raised up the earth and established the heavens.
Divided in nature, he entered the world,
To save and to help without bounds;
The sun arose, and darkness was dispelled,
All bearing witness to his true original.
The glorious and resplendent, accomplished Emperor,
Whose principles embraced those of preceding monarchs,
Taking advantage of the occasion, suppressed turbulence;
Heaven was spread out and the earth was enlarged.
When the pure, bright Illustrious Religion
Was introduced to our Tang Dynasty,
The Scriptures were translated, and churches built,
And the vessel set in motion for the living and the dead;
Every kind of blessing was then obtained,
And all the kingdoms enjoyed a state of peace.
When Kau-tsung succeeded to his ancestral estate,
He rebuilt the edifices of purity;
Palaces of concord, large and light,
Covered the length and breadth of the land.
The true doctrine was clearly announced,
Overseers of the church were appointed in due form;
The people enjoyed happiness and peace,
While all creatures were exempt from calamity and distress.
When Hiuen-tsung commenced his sacred career,
He applied himself to the cultivation of truth and rectitude;
His imperial tablets shot forth their effulgence,
And the celestial writings mutually refiected their splendors.
The imperial domain was rich and luxuriant,
While the whole land rendered exalted homage;
Every business was flourishing throughout,
And the people all enjoyed prosperity.
Then came Suh-tsung, who commenced anew,
And celestial dignity marked the Imperial movements.
Sacred as the moon's unsullied expanse,
While felicity was wafted like nocturnal gales.
Happiness reverted to the Imperial household,
The autumnal influences were long removed;
Ebullitions were allayed, and risings suppressed,
And thus our dynasty was firmly built up.
Tai-tsung the filial and just
Combined in virtue with heaven and earth;
By his liberal bequests the living were satisfied,
And property formed the channel of imparting succor.
By fragrant mementoes he rewarded the meritorious,
With benevolence he dispensed his donations;
The solar concave appeared in dignity,
And the lunar retreat was decorated to extreme.
When Kien-chung succeeded to the throne,
He began the cultivation of intelligent virtue;
His military vigilance extended to the four seas,
And his accomplished purity influenced all lands.
His light penetrated the secrecies of men,
And to him the diversities of objects were seen as in a mirror;
He shed a vivifying infiuence through the whole realm of nature,
And all outer nations took him for example.
The true doctrine, how expansive!
Its responses are minute;
How difficult to name it!
To elucidate the three in one.
The sovereign has the power to act!
While the ministers record;
We raise this noble monument!
To the praise of great felicity.
This was erected in the 2d year of Kien-chung, of the Tang Dynasty [A.D. 781], on the 7th day of the 1st month, being Sunday.
Written by Lu Siu-yen, Secretary to Council, formerly Military Superintendent for Tai-chau; while the Bishop Ning-shu had the charge of the congregations of the Illustrious in the East.
[The Following are written in Syriac, running down the right and left sides of the Chinese inscription above].
"Adam, Deacon, Vicar-episcopal and Pope of China. In the time of the Father of Fathers, the Lord John Joshua, the Universal Patriarch."
[The Following is in Syriac at the foot of the stone].
"In the year of the Greeks one thousand and ninety-two, the Lord Jazedbuzid, Priest and Vicar-episcopal of Cumdan the royal city, son of the enlightened Mailas, Priest of Balkh a city of Turkestan, set up this tablet, whereon is inscribed the Dispensation of our Redeemer, and the preaching of the apostolic missionaries to the King of China."
[After this, in Chinese characters, follows:]
"The Priest Lingpau."
[Then follows in Syriac:]
"Adam the Deacon, son of Jazedbuzid, Vicar-episcopal.
The Lord Sergius, Priest and Vicar-episcopal.
Sabar Jesus, Priest.
Gabriel, Priest, Archdeacon, and Ecclesiarch of Cumdan and Sarag."
[The following subscription is appended in Chinese:]
"Assistant Examiner: the High Statesman of the Sacred rites, the Imperially conferred purple-gown Chief Presbyter and Priest Yi-li."
[On the left-hand edge are the Syriac names of sixty-seven priests, and sixty-one are given in Chinese.]
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Source
From: Charles F. Horne, ed., The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, (New York: Parke, Austin, & Lipscomb, 1917), Vol. XII, Medieval China, pp. 381-392.
Scanned by Jerome S. Arkenberg, Cal. State Fullerton. The text has been modernized by Prof. Arkenberg.
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