樂邦文類 3.110

3.110

蓮社之立既以遠公為始祖，自師歸寂，抵今大宋慶元五年己未，凡八百九年矣，中間繼此道者乃有五師：一曰善導師、二曰法照師、三曰少康師、四曰省常師、五曰宗賾師。是五師者，莫不仰體佛慈大啟度門，異世同轍，皆眾良導。傳記所載，誠不可掩，以故錄之，為繼祖焉。

After the founding of the Lotus Society with Lord Yuan as the first patriarch, from the master's passing until now, the fifth year of Qingyuan in the Great Song, the jiwei year, eight hundred and nine years have elapsed. During this time, five masters succeeded to this path: first, Master Shandao; second, Master Fazhao; third, Master Shaokang; fourth, Master Shengchang; and fifth, Master Zongze. These five masters all reverently embodied the Buddha's compassion and broadly opened the gate of deliverance; though in different ages, they walked the same path, and all were excellent guides for the multitude. What is recorded in the biographies truly cannot be obscured; therefore, they are recorded here as succeeding patriarchs.