Из Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians: Stories of Taoist Mystics, перевод Thomas Cleary.
Это сборник жизнеописаний 144 исторических лиц, связанных с даосизмом. Был составлен под названием "Сюаньпин лу" 玄品錄 даосом Чжан Тяньюем 張天雨 (1279-1350).
He Zhizhang was a man of Yongxing in Huiji. He was already famous for his writing in youth, nominated for advanced scholar, and with the recommendation of Lu Xiangxian(88) he was promoted from doctor of the National Academy to doctor of court ceremonial, then through successive posts up to vice director of the Ministry of Rites, plus scholar of the Institute for Assembling Savants; and he also served as attendant reader to the crown prince.
In 725, when Emperor Xuanzong was going to perform rites dedicated to heaven on Mount Tai, he ordered Zhizhang to explain the ritual. So he reported, “The sky god, the Lord on High, is in the position of the ruler; the Five Lords of the five directions are in the position of subjects. While the designations of the lords vary, ruler and subjects still differ in rank. Your Majesty sacrifices in the position of the ruler on the altar, while the ministers sacrifice in the position of subjects below the altar. In truth this is enough to send a message to future generations; it is an important, exceptional rite. Now the ritual is consummated with three offerings, and the ranks ultimately join in one place.”
