廬山蓮宗寶鑑 4.12

4.12

遠公事蹟，學者雖見而鮮能盡之，使世不昭昭見先賢之德，亦後學之過也。予讀高僧傳蓮社錄及九江新舊錄，最愛遠公六事，謂可以勸，乃引而釋之，列之其影堂，以示來者。陸修靜，異教學者，而送過虎溪，是不以人而棄言也。陶淵明，耽湎于酒，而與之交者，蓋簡小節而取其達也。跋陀高僧，以顯異被擯，而延且譽之，蓋重有識而矯嫉賢也。謝靈運，以心雜不取，而果歿於刑，蓋識其器而慎其終也。盧循欲叛，而執手求舊，蓋自信道也。桓玄震威，而抗對不屈，蓋有大節也。大凡古今人情莫不畏威而苟免、忘義而避疑，好名而昧實、黨勢而忍孤，飾行而畏累、自是而非人。孰有道尊一代為賢者師，肯以片言而從人乎？孰有宿稟勝德為行耿潔，肯交醉鄉而高其達乎？孰有屈人師之尊、禮斥逐之客而伸其賢乎？孰有拒盛名之士、不與於教而克全終乎？孰有義不避禍，敦睦故舊而信道乎？孰有臨將帥之威、在殺罰暴虐之際，守道不撓而存其節乎？此故遠公識量廣大獨出於古今。若夫荷負至教、廣大聖道，垂裕於天人，非蒙乃能盡之。其聖歟賢耶偉乎！大塊噫氣、六合風清，遠公之名聞也。四海秋色、神山中聳，遠公之清高也。人龍僧鳳、長揖巢許，遠公之風軌也。白雲丹壑、玉樹瑤草，遠公之棲處也。蒙後公而生，雖慕且恨也。瞻其遺像，稽首作禮，願以弊文書于屋壁。

Although scholars have seen the deeds of Master Yuan, few are able to exhaustively fathom them; causing the world not to clearly see the virtue of the former worthy is also the fault of later students. When I read the Biographies of Eminent Monks, the Records of the Lotus Society, and the New and Old Records of Jiujiang, I was most fond of six deeds of Master Yuan, considering them worthy of exhortation; thereupon I have cited and explained them, displaying them in his portrait hall to show to those who come after. Lu Xiujing was a scholar of heterodox teachings, yet he saw him off across Tiger Brook: this was not rejecting words on account of the person. Tao Yuanming was indulged in wine, yet he associated with him: this was overlooking minor conventions to grasp his broad-mindedness. The eminent monk Bhadra was expelled for displaying miracles, yet he invited and praised him: this was valuing the discerning to correct jealousy toward the worthy. Xie Lingyun was rejected because of his distracted mind and ultimately perished by execution: this was discerning his capacity to be cautious about his end. Lu Xun was about to rebel, yet [the Master] grasped his hand and recalled their old friendship: this was trusting in the Way within himself. Huan Xuan displayed formidable power, yet [the Master] confronted him and would not yield: this was possessing great integrity. In general, human feelings past and present are all to fear power and seek illicit escape, to forget righteousness and avoid suspicion, to desire fame and remain blind to reality, to align with power and shrink from isolation, to feign proper conduct out of fear of burden, and to consider oneself right while blaming others. Who, with the Way honoured throughout a generation as a teacher of worthies, would willingly follow others for a single word? Who, possessing innate superior virtue and pure and incorruptible conduct, would willingly consort with the realm of drunkenness to exalt someone's broad-mindedness? Who would bend the dignity of a teacher of men to pay homage to a banished guest and bring forth his worthiness? Who would reject a man of eminent fame, not admitting him to the teaching, and thereby achieve a complete end? Who would not avoid calamity for the sake of righteousness, remain affectionate toward old friends, and trust in the Way? Who, confronting the power of commanders and in the midst of violent executions and slaughter, would maintain the Way without bending and preserve their integrity? This is why Master Yuan's breadth of understanding and capacity stood out unique between past and present. As for bearing the ultimate teaching, expanding the holy Way, and bestowing abundance upon gods and men, this cannot be fully told by someone as unlearned as me. How holy, how worthy, how magnificent! When the great earth sighs with breath and the winds of the six directions are pure: this is the fame of Master Yuan. When the autumn colours cover the four seas and the divine mountain towers in the midst: this is the pure loftiness of Master Yuan. A dragon among men, a phoenix among monks, long bowing to Chao and Xu: this is the exemplary conduct of Master Yuan. White clouds and vermilion ravines, jade trees and jasper grass: this is the dwelling place of Master Yuan. Born after the Master, I both admire and lament. Looking upon his remaining portrait, I bow my head in homage, wishing to write this humble text upon the wall of the room.