四明尊者教行錄 2.10

2.10

一旦，學者稽首而言曰：十六觀法，解脫之要津也。聞之有歲，究之粗勤，觀道未明，造修安寄？敢請開決，庶為準繩。予曰：疏釋顯然，夫何惑矣。儻有所壅，試為通之。方隨問而伸，徵文以證。往復既數，旨趣稍彰。恐來者未聞，故錄之以示，庶因此解，融諸滯心者也。時皇宋大中祥符七年歲在甲寅重陽日自敘。

One day, a student bowed his head and said: 'The method of the sixteen contemplations is the essential ferry to liberation. I have heard of it for years and investigated it with modest diligence, yet the path of contemplation is not yet clear; where can practice be grounded? I venture to ask for resolution, so that it may serve as a standard.' I said: 'The commentary and explanation are perspicuous; what doubt could there be? If there is any blockage, let me try to clear it for you.' Thereupon, responding to each question, I cited texts for verification. After several exchanges, the purport gradually became clear. Fearing that future students might not hear of this, I recorded it to show them, hoping that through this explanation, all obstructed minds may be integrated. Self-prefaced on the Double Ninth Day of the seventh year (jiayin) of the Dazhong Xiangfu era of the August Song (1014 CE).