中天竺舍衛國祇洹寺圖經 1.9

1.9

I consider that the original Jetavana Monastery was where the Master long resided for twenty-five years, the traces of his transformation for an entire period. The monumental enterprise of the seven locations and eight assemblies did not take physical form in this grove; yet the profound texts of the five divisions and four Āgamas mostly derived their Dharma from this monastery. Therefore, searching and gathering across various texts, I have provided a comprehensive account of these matters. However, because their appearances and disappearances were disparate and my brush could not keep pace, I was suddenly granted an awakening, resonating with these hidden spirits; what had been depressed and pent up for years was poured out all at once. Indeed, the hidden and subtle becoming manifest has been fully heard from past times: the records in Gan Bao's Soushen [ji], the chapters in Liu Qing's Youming [lu], the book Zhiguai by Zu Tai, and the notes in Wang Yan's Mingxiang [ji]—though extensive throughout, none are as clear as pointing to one's palm. Shallow and petty people of worldly customs may give rise to deterministic arguments; officials who have not attained comprehensive insight may declare this transmission unworthy of being heard. Furthermore, there are works such as the Jingyi and Shuyi, and writings on unseen and visible retribution; their titles and accounts are manifold, renowned in ancient and modern times. The matters I have listed are comparable to the records of the Devarāja of Wenxuan. They are also similar to the work on the stone Buddha of Jian'an; though awakening and dreams differ, there is no need to harbor doubts. I regret that in my eightieth year, my vigor has suddenly declined; having received direct instructions in person and heard detailed teachings with my own ears, when it came to drafting the work, not one in ten remained. Yet, weaving together the illustrations and accounts, I evoke thoughts of what has never been heard before. I hope my peers will forgive this rough outline.