Rite-text for the Heavenly Kings Cloister天王院齋詞
1A statement to Shariputra and the Bodhisattva Guanyin
唐中和二年太歲壬寅正月望日。具銜某敬請僧某乙設齋于法雲寺天王院。謹白言舍利佛大慈大悲觀音菩薩。伏以欲界將傾。魔軍競起。九野塵昏於劫燼。四溟波蕩於狂飆。諸侯志慕於宋公。星無三徙。聖主德齊於漢帝。日未再中。不知天養鴟梟。地容螟蟘。力鬪之群兇得便。義征之衆旅摧威。某也手握兵符。心抱將略。欲展焚枯之力。願成拯溺之功。是以。景仰三歸。勤行十善。深憑護念。敢啓邀迎。宇內瘡痍。略假醫王之術。世間疲瘵。遍希慈父之恩。今則幸遇初元。精修美供。春露洒琉璃之境。曉風吹薝蔔之香。想其舍衛城中。長老盡携弟子。水精宮裏。天王便作主人。伏願舍利佛大慈大悲觀世音菩薩。敎旣東流。跡能西降。遠救閻浮之地。暫離兜率之天。問疾語言。不競維摩之說。稱名功德。可逃羅刹之災。唯願共泛慈航。齊揮智劍。寢驚濤於苦海。掃妖氣於昏衢。則乃慧燈照天帝之心。法鼓破波臣之膽。靜銷諸惡。暫開方便之門。廣庇衆生。無惜慈悲之室。謹疏。
On the full-moon day of the first month of the second year of Zhonghe of the Tang, the year star in renyin, so-and-so, with his titles set out, reverently invites the monk so-and-so to set a vegetarian feast at the Heavenly Kings Cloister of Fayun Monastery, and respectfully states to Shariputra and to the greatly merciful and greatly compassionate Bodhisattva Guanyin: I humbly consider that the realm of desire is about to topple and the armies of Mara rise in contention. The nine wilds are darkened with the dust of the ashes of the kalpa, and the four seas toss with waves under a mad gale. The lords set their will on the Duke of Song, but the star did not move three stations. The sage lord matches the Han emperor in virtue, but the sun has not yet come again to the noon. Who knew that Heaven would rear owls and earth harbor grubs, so that the crowd of villains who fight by force get their chance, and the host that marches for righteousness has its power broken? As for me, my hand grasps the tally of arms and my heart holds a general's plans. I would put out the strength that burns off dead grass, and I pray to make the merit of hauling out the drowning. So I look up to the Three Refuges and diligently practice the Ten Good Acts, and leaning deep on your protecting thought I dare open this invitation. For the wounds within the land I borrow a little of the art of the King of Healing. For the sickness of the world I hope everywhere for the grace of the merciful father. Now I have the luck to meet the first of the year, and I prepare a fine offering with care. Spring dew sprinkles the realm of lapis, and the dawn wind blows the scent of the champaka. I picture how in the city of Shravasti the elders all led their disciples, and how in the palace of crystal the Heavenly Kings became the hosts. I humbly pray that Shariputra and the greatly merciful and greatly compassionate Bodhisattva Guanshiyin, whose teaching has already flowed east, may let their traces come down from the west, saving from afar the land of Jambudvipa and leaving for a while the heaven of Tushita, so that the words that ask after sickness need not vie with the discourse of Vimalakirti, and the merit of calling the name may flee the disaster of the rakshasas. I pray only that you together float the boat of mercy and alike wield the sword of wisdom, laying the startled billows on the sea of suffering and sweeping the baleful air from the dark crossroads. Then the lamp of wisdom will light the heart of the Emperor of Heaven, and the drum of the Law will break the gall of the water spirits. Quietly melt away every evil, and open for a while the gate of skillful means. Shelter the multitude of beings widely, and do not grudge the chamber of mercy. Respectfully submitted.