肇論疏 1.23

1.23

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.