四明尊者教行錄 7.82

7.82

右伏以雙林滅而德音絕、諸祖往而了義乖，矧駕說之攻其中，而暗證者之亂於外。所以圓頓之旨將遂寢微，庸昏之徒莫知所嚮。自非翼傳己心之法，孰能一洗名相之悲。恭惟山門始祖天台記主法智大師，法胤儲佛子之靈悟。自神童之歲，受經即誦，思義能通。殆志學而染衣，信弱冠而具戒，五年依止，擬兼善於律乘；一月麾談，終大弘於教觀。謂非分別而能了是法，故說解脫而無離斯文。俾濟行之有宗，乃建言而指要。學窮內外，甞雅重於楊文公；論絕異同，尤推許於雪竇顯。遂使聖主命修而加號，國師馳問以詢疑。且欲身赴於焚，何緣脇至於席。履天台所履之道修四三昧，而有恒記毘陵未記之文，諒十九祖而無愧。柰學者之思為愈己，嗟天下之莫能宗予。安禪不還，泣盡青襟之淚；遺編有在，信同白雪之歌。爰想慈風，俄臨諱日。況恩均於成我，而憂比於終身。合西隣受福之時，敢陳礿祭；來前生行道之處，庶追昔緣。某等叩鐘芳塵、謬參蓮社，知名識字，未逃終日數寶之譏；討疏尋經，始納入海算沙之責。徒勞點示，實負傳弘。伏願慧眼豁開、法門洞發，萬品自融於三觀、千如妙顯於一心。篤志流通，顧非第二轉法輪將；永言化導，肯為最後斷佛種人。輒露精誠，俯垂昭鑒。某等無任稽首拜手歸依懇惻之至。謹疏。

I respectfully prostrate myself, reflecting that ever since the Twin Trees passed away, the virtuous voice ceased, and after the patriarchs departed, the definitive meaning went astray; how much more so when contrivers of theories attacked from within, while those claiming blind realizations caused turmoil from without! Consequently, the purport of the perfect and sudden was on the verge of fading away, leaving dull and confused followers without direction. If not for one who could support and transmit the Dharma of one's own mind, who could have wiped away the sorrow of empty names and characteristics? We respectfully look up to the founding patriarch of our mountain gate, the Tiantai subcommentator Master Fazhi, a Dharma heir blessed with the spiritual awakening of a son of the Buddha. From the age of a divine child, he could chant the scriptures upon receiving them and comprehend their meaning upon reflection. At the age of aspiring to study he donned the dyed robes, and when he came of age he took the full precepts. For five years he relied on his master, intending to master both the Vinaya and the Vehicle; within a single month of flourishing discourse, he ultimately propagated the doctrinal teaching and contemplation on a grand scale. Maintaining that without conceptual analysis this Dharma cannot be realized, he taught liberation without departing from these texts. To give practice a guiding lineage, he set forth teachings that pointed out the essentials. His learning encompassed both internal and external lore, winning the deep esteem of Duke Wen Yang; his discourse transcended dispute and controversy, earning special acclaim from Xuedou Xian. Thus, the sagely emperor commanded the compilation [of his works] and conferred titles upon him, while the National Preceptor dispatched queries to consult him on doubts. When he sought to cast his body into the flames, by what cause did [his master's] rebuke bid him back to his seat? Treading the path trodden by Tiantai, he cultivated the four kinds of samādhi; continually annotating texts unannotated by Piling, he was truly worthy of being the nineteenth patriarch without shame. Yet how lamentable that learners think themselves superior, and alas, no one in the world can make me their guide! Resting in meditation without returning, he exhausted the tears of students in their blue collars; his extant compilations remain, truly akin to the 'Song of White Snow.' Recalling his compassionate influence, we suddenly come upon the day of his memorial. Moreover, while his grace in bringing us to fruition is profound, our grief compares to a lifelong sorrow. Joining the moment when the western neighbor receives blessings, we dare offer this simple seasonal sacrifice; arriving at the place where he practiced the Way in past lives, we hope to pursue those former bonds. We who ring the bell among his fragrant dust have improperly taken part in the Lotus Society; knowing names and recognizing words, we have not escaped the mockery of counting another's treasures all day long; searching through commentaries and seeking through scriptures, we incur the blame of entering the sea to count grains of sand. In vain have we troubled him to point out and instruct us, truly falling short of transmitting and propagating [his legacy]. We humbly pray that our eye of wisdom will open wide, the Dharma gates will be thoroughly unlocked, the myriad phenomena will naturally blend into the three contemplations, and the thousand 'suchnesses' will wondrously manifest in the one mind. May we devote our resolve to circulating the teaching, not failing to become generals who turn the wheel of the Dharma a second time; may we forever guide and transform beings, never being the last to sever the seed of Buddhahood. We presume to reveal our utmost sincerity; may you look down and kindly perceive it. We are overwhelmed with reverence, bowing and prostrating ourselves in utmost devotion and grief. Respectfully presented in this memorial.