批答
Imperial Edict
勅通慧大師贊寧，省所令左街天壽寺賜紫僧顯忠進編修《有宋高僧傳》三十卷事，具悉。一乘妙道，六度玄門，代有奇人，迭恢聖教。若無纂述，何以顯揚？繄爾真流，棲心法苑，成茲編集，頗効辛勤。備觀該總之能，深切歎嘉之意。其所進《高僧傳》，已令僧錄司編入大藏。今賜絹三千匹，至可領也。故茲獎諭，想宜知悉。冬寒，想比清休否？遣書指不多及。十八日勅。
By Imperial Decree, to Master Tonghui Zanning,
We have received the memorial from the monk Xianzhong of Tian Shou Temple on the left street, who is granted purple robes, regarding the compilation of the "Biographies of Eminent Monks of the Song Dynasty" in thirty volumes. We have fully understood the matter.
The profound path of the One Vehicle and the mysterious gate of the Six Perfections have, through the ages, produced extraordinary individuals who have successively upheld and expanded the sacred teachings. Without such compilations and records, how could their virtues be made known and honored? You, as a true follower of the Way, have devoted your heart to the garden of Dharma, completing this collection with considerable diligence and effort. Observing the comprehensive and thorough nature of your work, we are deeply moved and filled with admiration.
The submitted "Biographies of Eminent Monks" has been ordered to be compiled into the Great Canon by the Office of Monastic Affairs. We hereby bestow three thousand bolts of silk, which you are to receive accordingly.
This decree is issued to express our commendation and instruction, which we trust you will duly acknowledge.
As winter is cold, we trust you are well and at peace. We send this letter, with no further words for now.
Issued on the eighteenth day.