肇論新疏 2.9

2.9

"Tianzhu" is also called Yintu or Shendu, which are the Brahmin kingdoms of the five Indias. Master Kumārajīva was born in Kucha, but because his father Kumārāyana was originally from Southern India, he is here designated according to his origin. His abundant virtues are as recorded in his biography. "Words and images" comes from the Yijing lüeli: "Words are born of images, images are born of intent"; here "words" is an analogy for the expressing capacity, and "images" is an analogy for what is expressed. "The silent and formless" (xiyi) comes from Laozi, which says: "Listening to it without hearing is called xi; looking at it without seeing is called yi." Here it is an analogy for prajñā: being free from names is called xi, and being free from marks is called yi. According to Master Kumārajīva's biography, in his youth he studied the Hīnayāna; upon awakening to Sūryasoma's exposition of the Anavatapta-sūtra, he turned to study the Great Principle, ground his mind upon this purpose, stood alone beyond words and images, and subtly united with the realm of dharmatā.