樂邦遺稿 1.112

1.112

Lingzhi's evaluation that Chancellor Xu is not subject to rebuke actually rebukes him deeply. Nevertheless, Xu's being a Confucian was certainly not that of an ordinary sort; having once received teachings from our patriarch of Tiantai, he was truly one who deeply understood the teachings and contemplations. His five vows were presented face-to-face to Zhizhe, and therefore appear in the Bailu. This was simply because he had the aspiration to broadly propagate the Dharma for beings, and therefore acted thus. When he indeed returned with a changed retribution, he truly fulfilled his former vow, becoming a monk to study the Way, receiving transmission as a disciple of Zhang'an, and succeeding as the sixth patriarch of Tiantai—namely, the Venerated Zhiwei of Fahua. Therefore, Master Jichun of Goryeo praised him, saying: 'Meeting Zhizhe in person, he stated his fine vow; / He indeed became a lineage master, matching his former aspiration.' Such being the case, although Lingzhi's commentary and notes sought to remedy defects, why did he fail to distinguish jade from stone?