6. KHỔNG THÁNH TIÊN SƯ BỬU CÁO
Quế Hương nội điện,
Văn
Thỉ thượng cung.
Cửu
thập ngũ hồi, chưởng thiện quả ư thi thơ chi phố.
Bá
thiên vạn hóa, bồi quế thọ ư âm chất chi điền.
Tự
lôi trữ bính, linh ư phụng lĩnh.
Chí
như ý từ, tường ư ngao trụ.
Khai
nhơn tâm tất bổn ư đốc thân chi hiếu.
Thọ
quốc mạch tất tiên ư trí chúa chi trung.
Ứng
mộng bảo sanh,
Thùy
từ mẫn khổ.
Đại
nhơn đại hiếu,
Đại
thánh đại từ.
Thần
văn thánh võ,
Hiếu
đức trung nhơn.
Vương
tân sách phụ,
Nho
Tông khai hóa.
Văn
Tuyên tư lộc,
Hoằng
nhơn Đế Quân.
Trừng
chơn chánh quan,
Bửu
quang từ tế Thiên Tôn.
HƯNG
NHO THẠNH THẾ THIÊN TÔN.
(Ba lạy, mỗi lạy ba
gật, mỗi gật một niệm.)
*
6. EULOGY TO SAGE CONFUCIUS THE FIRST
TEACHER
Residing
in the Cinnamon Fragrance inner hall,
Inside the
Literature Beginning noble palace,
Ninety-five times
He planted good fruit trees in the literary garden.
Through countless
transformations, He nurtured the cinnamon tree in the field of hidden good
deeds.(1)
The thunder crash
after the invention of Chinese characters was more miraculous than the
appearance of a phoenix on a mountain peak.(2)
His good will and
thoughts were of utmost compassion.
His foundation of
cultivating moral values in humans lies in sincere filial piety towards
parents.
His primary
principle for a long-lasting country is rooted in unwavering loyalty to the
homeland.
Nourishing
aspiration for protecting life, He had responding dreams,(3)
As divine
guidance for Him who compassionately had sympathy with suffering people.
As the Sage of
great benevolence and filial piety,
Of utmost
holiness and compassion,
Of wondrous
literary and martial skills,
Of illustrious
virtue and loyalty,
He was the kings’
guest offering strategies for help,
And society
became civilised thanks to His guiding principles.
As the
Illustrious Learning One in charge of happiness,
As the Lord of
great benevolence,
As the Observer
of purity, reality, and righteousness,
He is the
Heavenly Revered One of precious light and compassionate help.(4)
NAMAH SAGE CONFUCIUS THE FIRST
TEACHER, THE HEAVENLY REVERED ONE FOR RUISM DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD PROSPERITY.(5)
(Three kowtows,
three nods with each kowtow, and one recitation with each nod.)
Translator’s Notes:
(1) “He nurtured the cinnamon tree in the field of
hidden good deeds” is a metaphorical sentence.
In Chinese literature, a successful candidate is compared to a man who holds a
cinnamon branch. Besides, his
success results from not only his excellent learning but also his concealed good
deeds. Thus, this metaphor implies that
Sage Confucius provided His disciples with not only knowledge or skills but
also morality. The concept of “hidden
good deeds” is expressed by Jesus as follows, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.” (Matthew
6:3-4)
(2)
According to Chinese legend, there was a crash of thunder after the invention
of Chinese characters, and a phoenix appeared on a mountain peak to herald the
advent of a sage. Sages are rare in society, but thanks to Chinese characters,
their teachings can be multiplied and spread across ages; and this is the
implication of the phrase “more miraculous than the appearance of a phoenix”. The miraculous invention of
Chinese characters is mentioned in this eulogy because Sage Confucius used
these characters to compile numerous books and teach His disciples.
(3) Sage Confucius deeply admired the Duke of Zhou and often dreamt of this
figure. However, one day He said, “I have not dreamt of the Duke of Zhou for a
long time.” (The Analects, 7:5)
(4) Sage Confucius is honoured as “precious light”. The
term “light” reminds us of what Jesus
Christ told His apostles, “You are the
light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14)
(5) “Ruism” means “Nho Giáo” or 儒 教. “Confucianism”
means “Khổng Giáo” or 孔 教.
[Translated by Huệ Khải]
*
