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| the top portion of the 1489 steele, from a rubbing |
There are no place that I can find online where there is easy access to translations of the Kaifeng Jewish stele, which stood outside the synagogue building in the third courtyard. I will provide them on the blog of ease of access.
Now Israel established the religion.
Abraham, the Patriarch was the 19th-generation descendant from Pangu and Adam.
Ever since the creation of Heaven and Earth, the Patriarchs transmitted in succession what they had been given and received,
Did not make idols,
Did not flatter the ghosts,
Did not believe in sorcery.
In his time, ghosts were not numerous, idols were without spiritual guidance.
Sorcery was without benefit.
Thinking of those in Heaven
It was light and pure above.
Attained respect without comparison.
The Way of Heaven did not speak
The four seasons revolved and everything was created.
He observed, spring was for birth, summer was for growth, fall was for harvest, winter was for storage.
(Birds) flew, (creatures) lived in water, (animals) were active, and (plants) were planted. (They) were lustrous, humble, open and fallen. The living were self born, the flourishing were self flourishing.
The shapes were self-formed,
the colors self-colored.
The patriarch suddenly woke
and realized this dark mystery.
He set to search the Correct Religion;
he was the assistant to the True Heaven.
He waited wholeheartedly to receive the pure transmission
That time, he established the religion
the origin of which was transmitted to today.
Examining it, it was the 146th year of
the Zhou Dynasty.
Once transmitted, it reached Moses,
the Patriarch of the Correct Religion
Examining it, it was the 613th year of
the Zhou Dynasty.
He was born intelligent and pure
completely righteous and benevolent
Completely principled and virtuous.
He searched for the scriptures on the top of Mount Sinai
He fasted for forty days and nights
Discarded his lustful desires
Absolutely refused sleep and food
He prayed sincerely,
devoted his mind to the Heart of Heaven.
The Correct Scriptures consisted of one book, 53 chapters.
Since its inceptions, its contents
touched upon the subtle and mysterious.
The good ones incited the good-heartedness in people
The evil ones punished the meekness in (creative) people.
Again it was transmitted and reached Ezra,
the Patriarch of the Correct Religion
whose ancestors came from the Patriarch.
He inherited the succession of the
ancestors who “peached the tradition”
He honored Heaven and worshipped the Way.
He explained the mysteries of the Way (Dao).
The Way must be based on the Pure,
on Truth, on Rites and on Worship.
The Pure is unique without second.
The Truth is correct without evil.
The Rites are simply respect.
Worship follows the Rites.
During their daily activity, people
cannot forget Heaven, not even for a moment.
Only in the morning, noon, and evening,
Three times a day they prayed.
This was the true principle of the Tian Dao (The Way of Heaven).
How did the Patriarchal sages rectify their reverences?
First they washed their bodies, changed their clothes.
Then they “purified their natural rulers” (mind)
Then “they rectified their natural senses.”
then they respectfully entered the Way of the Scriptures.
“The Way (Dao) is without shape and image.”
Meanwhile(I) will tell you the
practice of worshipping Heaven and prayer.
It was as follows:
“First, bend the body and pray,
the Dao is in the bowing
Then stand without leaning and pray,
the Dao is in the standing.
Be quiet and keep up the silent prayer.
Do not forget it is Heaven.
Moving, inquiring and singing in prayer.
Do not disregard, it is Heaven.
Retreat three steps, suddenly behind,
The Prayer is behind.
Advance five steps, look up in front,
The Prayer is in the front.
Bow to the left and pray
And the good Dao is on the left.
Bow to the right and pray,
The not-good Dao is on the right.
Lift the head and pray,
The Dao is above.
Lower the head and pray,
Dao is not far.
Finally, worship Dao;
the honor is in the worship.
Alas, to worship Heaven
and not to honor the ancestors
was (like) not offering sacrifice
to the (deceased) forefathers.
When in the spring and autumn,
sacrifice was offered to the
ancestors and forefathers (the worshippers),
“served the dead as you were to serve the living,
served the forgotten as you were to serve the survived.”
Tied oxen and tied sheet were
“offered as food in their respective seasons.”
Did not use the passing way of the
Forefathers as (an excuse) to not pray.
The limit every month was four days of fasting.
Fasting was the gateway to enter Dao.
It was the foundation of the virtue.
One did a good deed today,
One did a good deed tomorrow,
Good deeds started to accumulate.
until fasting.
Then all evil was not done,
All good was carried out.
The seven days of good (deeds) ended
The week returned to the beginning.
As the Book of Changes had a saying that meant:
“Auspicious man doing good,
Finds the day insufficient.”
During the period of four seasons
There were four days of fasting.
All the ancestors suffered calamities.
We requited the ancestors
by offering sacrifice (to the deceased).
There was absolutely no drinks and food.
One day there was a big fast
Praying to ask Heaven
To repent the failures of the previous days.
It was to initiate the new good (deeds) of today
This was what the sages called
In the hexagram I (Increase) of the
Book of Changes, it said:
“Wind and thunder, the image is increase
When the Superior man,
If he sees good, he initiates it
If he he has faults, he changes it”
This was called compatible.
Alas, the religion of the Dao
Was transmitted and received in succession
Since its coming, its origin in India
It came on diving commands.
There were: Li, Yan, Ai, Gao,
Mu, Zhao, Qin, Zhou, Zhang,
Shi, Huang, Li, Nie, Qin, Zhang,
Zuo, Bai, etc., 70 surnames.
They entered to bring Western cloth
as tribute to the Song (Dynasty).
The Emperor said: “You returned to my
China, Honor and observe the customs
Of your ancestors.”
Bianliang was abandoned
(When) Emperor Lung came to power
In the first year, in the gui wei year,
Levites and Wusida led the religion.
Andula started to build a temple.
(Then) in the 16th year of the (Emperor)
Zhiyuan of the Mongol Dynasty
In the ji mao year
wusida rebuilt the ancient monastery
The Pure and Truth Temple sat in the back of
Southeast of Earth Market Character Street.
On four sides, it was to 35 Zhang.
At the time, when our Emperor Gao, Taizu,
Of the Great Ming founded the Dynasty.
First he pacified the Under Heaven.
Soldiers and people all returned,
Among those who became sinicized,
all were granted land
To settle peacefully and enjoy
Their occupation in the villages.
“It was a sincere thought
And benevolence at heart”
And thus, the synagogue could not be
Without people in charge.
Only (such people as) Licheng, Lishi,
Anping and disciples (tu) Aiduan, Ligui, Lijie,
Lisheng, Ligang, Aijing, Zhouan,
Lirong, Liliang, Lizhi, Zhanghao, and others
Fluent and knowledgeable about the Correct Scriptures
Advised people to do good (deeds)
Were called manla.
Their Way of the Religion was transmitted in succession.
Even today, the clothing, the caps, the rites and music
Honored and followed the rules of the times.
The language was active and passive.
Conformed to the sources of old documents.
Everybody observed the written laws
(Everybody) knew to worship Heaven
and (everybody) honored the ancestors and
Were loyal to the prince and filial to the parents
It was due to the efforts of all.
Ancheng, a physician in the 19th year of Yongle,
Received a proclamation from Prince Ding of
the Zhou Prefecture making it public that
He “bestowed incest” to rebuilt and
restore the Pure and True Temple.
In the temple was (placed)
The order of the Great Ming
The “Long Long Life” tablet.
In the 21st year of Yongle,
an imperial memorial conferred upon him
For his meritorious services
The surname of Chao.
He received the rank of Military
Commissioner in the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
And was promoted to Assistant Military
Commissioner of Zhejiang.
In the 10th year of Zhengtong
Lirong and Liliang, they themselves provided funds
to rebuild the three front sections of the temple.
In the 5th year of Tianxun
The water of the river inundated,
The foundation hardly survived.
Aijing and others presented a petition (that):
“According to a previous permit (granted)
By the Vice Governor of the Metropolitan
Prefecture of Henan, and the Officer of the Treasury, etc.
this old monastery of The Pure and
True Temple had ‘permit granted’ stamp
From the Zhi-yuan year…”
Lirong again provided funds
To raise and construct it farther in the back,
It was completely adorned with brilliant gilt and colors.
It was quite new.
Chenghua, Gaojian, Gaorui, and Gaohung
contributed their own funds
To add three sections to the rear of the re-construction,
It was completely adorned with brilliant gilt and colors.
Placed (in it) were three scrolls of the Daojing.
On the outside they made a corridor
Connecting with the Front Hall,
It was planned to last forever.
It was more or less the history of this temple.
During Tianxun period
Shipin, Lirong, Gaojian, and Zhangxuan
Obtained a copy of the Daojing
of this religion in Ningpo.
Chaoying of Ningpo offered a copy of the scriptures
He presented and returned it to
the temple in Bianliang.
Gaonian, having a licentiate degree,
Was appointed County Magistrate of the
County of Zhi in Hui Zhou.
Anjun, a holder of Master degree, was appointed
As Chief Administrator of (Prince) De’s Establishment.
Jinxuan of Ningxia.
His forefather ancestor was in charge of the
Court of Imperial Entertainment as Chief Minister.
His uncle, ancestor Sheng, was in charge of the
Advance Guards of the Imperial Escort.
Xuan bought and placed the table of offering,
the bronze censer, the flower vase, and the candlesticks.
And his younger brother Ying
in the second year of Hongzhi,
Contributed funds to place the temple
on this section of land.
Ying and Zhong commissioned Chaojun
to place the stone inscription.
Andula laid the foundation and started the work
Lirong and Gaohung completed the work,
They deserved the praise with the Temple.
All the families contributed to a common treasury
for the Scripture Rolls, Scripture floor,
Scripture table, the racks, the balustrade,
the table of offering, drapes and all articles,
utensils and vessels.
And also for use of the decorations,
Paintings and ornaments
It was grand and imposing.
When I ponder of the Three Religions (三教),
Each has temples where they honor their Lord.
The Confucians have the Dacheng Temple,
Where they honor and worship Confucius.
The Buddhists have the Shengrong Temple,
Where they nonor Muniu.
The Daoists have the Yuhuang Temple,
Where they worship the Three Pures.
The Pure and Truth have the Israelite Temple,
where they worship Huangtian (皇天).
Although the religion of Confucius and this
religion are similar as a whole and different in details,
Both are determined and set in ways.
Nevertheless they also
Worship the Heavenly Dao.
Honor the ancestors
Respect the relationship between the Prince and Minister
Filial to their fathers and mothers
Peaceful to wives and children
Have order in the social ranks
Interact with friends
And do not make exceptions to the Five Relationships.
Alas, disciples knew the Truth and Pure Temple,
They prayed and worshipped.
But who would have thought that,
The Great Source originated in Heaven.
And it was transmitted in succession from antiquity to today.
It cannot be false!
Although this religion was respected and honored
As it were favored by Heaven,
How did the disciples seek the “field of happiness” and
Planned on making gains and earn a living?
(They) received kindness from the Prince,
Lived on the income from the Prince
(They) only exerted in prayers
To inform Heaven of their sincerity
Which meant “Boundless loyalty to the country and Prince.”
May the Great Emperor of the Ming
His virtue surpass that of Yu and Tang
and His Highness that of Yao and Xun.
His intelligence and intuitive wisdom
Be bright like the Sun and Moon
His kindness and love be as
Expansive as that of Heaven and Earth
The prosperity of the country be long
And may His Highness live to many years
And the Imperial domain to be strong.
“Heavens be perpetual and
Earth last forever”
“Good Harvest and Prosperity”
Together we may enjoy the prosperity of peace.
Carved in metal and stone
To be used and transmitted forever
Composed by Jinzhong, graduate, advanced scholar,
Prefecture of Kaifeng.
Written by Zaozuo, graduate, granary worker,
scholar, Xiangfu County.
Recorded by Furu, graduate, granary worker,
scholar, Kaifeng Prefecture.
Erected in the second year of Hongzhi period
On an auspicious summer month of ji-yu
By the offering of the Pure and Truth
Jinying of Ninxia and Jinli of Xiangfu
Masons Wuliang and Wuzun.
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