法華玄義釋籤 1.3

1.3

四教成列，開合之旨，蘊乎其中，十子既往，幽贊之功，在人方絕，惟三轉遂周，一乘載導，經文顯而約，玄記博而深，後進難窺，蒙求尚壅，不遠而復，存乎其時，我哲匠湛然公當之矣。公孩提秀發，志學名成，淵解得於自心，博贍振於先達，無適不可，以虛受人，洎毘壇以至於國清，其從如雲矣。間者島夷作難，海山不寧，徇法之多，仄身巖宇，或謂身危法喪，莫如奉法全身，僶俛遂行，暴露原野，是樂法者請益悅隨，且法實無邊，身則有待，弘敷未暇，籤訪有憑，因籤以釋，思逸功倍，美哉洋洋乎！登門者肯綮未嘗，望涯者恥躬不逮，乘是以訓文，其可廢耶？先德既詳，雖大科不舉，諸生未達，在小疑必疏。凡十卷，不忘於本，以天台命家，善繼其宗，以釋籤順學，信所謂觀象得意、俾昏作明，永代不朽者也。普早歲在塵，後時從道，徒欲擊其大節，獨不愧於心乎！天王越在陜郛之明年甲辰歲紀月貞於相。

The four teachings stand arranged in ranks, with the principles of opening and merging harbored within them; yet once the ten disciples passed away, the work of profound assistance ended with them. Indeed, after the three turnings were at last complete, the one vehicle was conveyed and guided. The text of the sūtra is manifest yet concise; the profound notes are extensive and deep. Latecomers find them difficult to glimpse, and beginners still face obstructions. Returning before straying far depends upon the right time; our wise master, the Venerable Zhanran, stepped forward to meet this moment. In early childhood his talents shone forth; at the age for aspiring to learning, his reputation was established. His profound understanding was gained from his own mind, and his rich learning surpassed predecessors. No undertaking was unsuitable to him; with an open mind he received others. From Pitan down to Guoqing, his followers gathered like clouds. Recently, the island barbarians stirred up conflict, leaving the sea and mountains in turmoil. Many who pursued the Dharma squeezed their bodies into rocky crags; some held that when the body is in danger the Dharma perishes, so nothing is better than guarding the body to preserve the Dharma, and with hasty effort they took flight, exposing themselves to open wilds. Yet those who delight in the Dharma followed joyfully to request instruction. Moreover, the Dharma is truly boundless, while the physical body is conditioned; without leisure for extensive propagation, the notes provided a reliable basis for inquiry. Through the notes, explanations were offered, saving labor and doubling the benefit—how magnificent and vast! Those who enter the gates have not yet struck the critical joints; those who gaze at the shore feel ashamed of their own shortcomings. How could this text, used to transmit instructions, be cast aside? The former worthy was already detailed, so although the major divisions are not raised, wherever students have not understood, small doubts are unfailingly clarified. In ten rolls in all, never forgetting the origin, he took Tiantai as the school's heritage, capably continuing its tradition, and through the explanatory notes facilitated learning. This is truly what is called beholding symbols to grasp the meaning, turning obscurity into clarity, remaining imperishable for all eternity. Early in life I was mired in the dust; only later did I pursue the Path. Desiring in vain to sound forth his great integrity, how could I not feel ashamed in my heart? In the jiachen year, the year after the heavenly king took refuge in Shanfu, during the designated month, this was engraved on stone.