肇論疏 3.11

3.11

Fourth is expressing modesty and stepping back. His understanding was dim and his talent short. The Book of Han says, "Meng means to receive [favours]." "Momo" means unclear. As for "exhausting my foolishness without ceasing, as if having an understanding," having completely exhausted his foolish mind and considering himself not to have ceased, he thereupon seemed to have an understanding. However, "having not undergone the leading chanting of eminent and superior [masters], I did not dare to decide on my own"; it seems he saw a newly translated manuscript of the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, but since there had not yet been an eminent and superior person to lecture on it first, he therefore says he did not decide on his own. "Unfortunately Master [Kumāra]jīva passed away, and there was nowhere to consult"; "unfortunate" means having no good fortune. With his late teacher already deceased, whom could he consult? "Yet Your Majesty's sage virtue is not solitary"; The Analects says, "Virtue is not solitary; it must have neighbours." "Divine accord" refers to being in accord with the divine principle. It can also mean the mind and spirit meet in accord without waiting for words. "Seeing it at a glance, the Way is present": The Zhuangzi Outer Chapters, "Tian Zifang", says, "Zhongni saw Wenbo Xuezi and did not speak. Zilu said, 'Master, you have long wished to see Wenbo Xuezi; why do you not speak when you see him?' Zhongni said, 'With a man like that, seeing him at a glance the Way is present; there is simply no place to introduce words.'" "Thoroughly exhaustive [kuaici]": The Shuowen says, "Kuai means joyful." "To instruct the latter-day world": therefore he was able to stir that profound wind and instruct this latter-day world. When it came to the time of Yao Xing, the Buddha-Dharma was greatly propagated; this refers to that matter.