肇論疏 1.23

1.23

第四、簡別是論非論也。〈宗本〉蕭然，不可致難，故但稱義。〈不遷〉等四，欲接引學人，假致問答，故稱為論。有本云「開通」，有本云「關涉」。《小雅》云：開，達也。問答折徵所以稱論者，論本折理，四科折理，故名為論耳。

Fourth, distinguishing what is a treatise from what is not a treatise. The "[Explanation of the] Fundamental Doctrine" is aloof and unencumbered, admitting of no dispute; therefore it is merely called an "explanation" (yi). The four texts from "[Things Do] Not Shift" onward, intending to receive and guide students, make hypothetical use of question and answer; therefore they are called "treatises" (lun). Some editions read "clear opening" (kaitong); other editions read "interconnection" (guanshe). The Xiaoya says: "Kai means 'to reach'." As for the statement that questions and answers analyzing and investigating are why they are called treatises: treatises are fundamentally aimed at analyzing principles; since these four sections analyze principles, they are simply named treatises.