肇論新疏 2.316

2.316

Master Daosheng entered the Pass, relied on Kumārajīva for several years, and lived together with the author of the treatise, frequently praising Liu Yimin as well. Because they could not remain friends to the end of their lives, it says "midway he returned south." From "you were able to" downward: it means Daosheng went south and also returned to Mount Lu, and thus met him again. "Again" means once more; recently he also had not received any letters or inquiries once more. From "how can I express my sorrowful longing" downward: his sighing yearning was manifold, beyond what words could express. The biographies say: in penetrating the meaning, Daosheng and Sengrong were foremost; in refining difficulties, Sengguan and Sengzhao were supreme. Truly, shoulder to shoulder with the eight talents, and abreast with the ten philosophers, kindred spirits seek each other, and similar sounds resonate together; the two were bosom friends, spoken of for a thousand ages. From "Daoist Wei" downward: the Lotus Society practiced the Western Pure Land path, and therefore the various worthies composed eulogies on recollecting the Buddha, and the master of the society also composed one and wrote a preface. When Master Wei came south, he brought them along into the Pass. "This work" refers to the eulogies and the preface. "Xing" is metaphor and association; it is an allegorical lodging. "Zhi" is like principle. It means that because the pure poetic resonance lodged therein was exalted, it also made the wording and principle clear and graceful. "Graceful" means beautiful. From "all men capable of literature" downward: it means that those skilled in literature within the Pass and Kumārajīva's circle all praised its beauty. From "it can truly be called" downward: the author of the treatise praises it, saying that the various worthies who composed the eulogies wandered through the portals and courtyard of the Tathāgata, chanting and singing while knocking at the mysterious barrier. From "You and the Master" downward: because he had seen the eulogies and the preface, they ought to have many collections of writings, so why have so few arrived?