歷代三寶紀 7.220

7.220

右七部合七卷。哀帝世。沙門支遁撰。遁字道林。幼而才拔善談名理。謝安王洽劉恢殷浩許詢却超孫綽桓彥表王敬仁何次道王文度謝長遐袁彥伯等。並一代名流。皆著塵外之狎。每以山居為得性之所。頻被勅召辭不獲免。復出帝京。却超與親友書曰。道林法師神理所通玄拔獨悟。數百年來紹明大法。令真理不絕一人而已。林在京師涉歷三載。乞還山東上書告辭。其末後云不悟乾光曲曜猥被蓬蓽頻奉明詔使詣上京。進退惟咎不知所厝。自到天衢屢蒙引見。優遊賓禮策以微言。每愧才不拔滯理不拘新。不足對揚玄模。允塞視聽。踧踖侍人。流汗位席。曩四翁赴漢于木蕃魏。皆出處有由默語適會。今德非昔人動靜乖哀。遊魂禁省鼓言帝側。將困非據何能有為。且歲月僶俛感若斯之歎。況復同志索居綜習遼落。延首東顧孰能無懷。上願陛下特蒙放遣歸之林薄。以鳥養焉。所荷為優。謹露板聞申其愚管。裹糧望路伏待慈詔。詔即許焉。嘗有人遺遁馬。遁受而養之。時或譏之。遁曰。貧道愛其神駿。聊復畜耳。後有餉鶴者。遁謂鶴曰。爾既遠是沖天之物。寧肯為人耳目翫乎。遂即放之。有集十卷盛行於世。

The above seven works make a total of seven fascicles. Compiled in the reign of Emperor Ai by the śramaṇa Zhi Dun. Dun's courtesy name was Daolin. From his youth, his talent stood out, and he was skilled at discussing philosophical principles. Xie An, Wang Qia, Liu Hui, Yin Hao, Xu Xun, Xi Chao, Sun Chuo, Huan Yanbiao, Wang Jingren, He Cidao, Wang Wendu, Xie Changxia, Yuan Yanbo, and others were all celebrated figures of the age, and all engaged in familiar friendship beyond worldly dust. He always considered dwelling in the mountains as the place where one's nature is realized. Having repeatedly received imperial summonses that he could not decline, he once again departed for the imperial capital. Xi Chao, in a letter to his relatives and friends, said: 'Master of the Dharma Daolin's penetration of spiritual principles is profound and uniquely awakened. For hundreds of years he has continued and illuminated the great Dharma, keeping the true principle unextinguished—he is this single person alone.' After spending three years in the capital, [Daolin] begged to return east of the mountains and submitted a memorial tendering his farewell. The end of it stated: 'Unawares that heavenly light would bend its rays to humble thatch, I repeatedly received bright edicts summoning me to the supreme capital. In advancing or retreating I saw only fault, not knowing where to place myself. Since arriving at the imperial avenue, I have frequently received an audience, being treated with leisure and guest etiquette, and questioned on subtle discourses. I am ever ashamed that my talent does not excel, that in lingering principles I fail to restrain the novel, and that I am insufficient to proclaim the profound pattern or properly meet scrutiny. Trembling before the attendants, I sweat profusely at my seat. In the past, the Four Greybeards went to the Han, and Yu Mu was enfeoffed by the Wei; their entering and retiring each had good reason, and their silence and speech were timely. Now my virtue is not that of the ancients; my movement and stillness go against propriety. Wandering as a lost soul in the forbidden palace, drum-sounding words by the sovereign's side, soon to be trapped in an unfitting role, how could I achieve anything? Moreover, as months and years pass by in haste, I feel such sighs as these. How much more so when like-minded companions dwell in solitude and shared studies have grown desolate? Stretching my neck to gaze toward the east, who could be without longing? I humbly wish that Your Majesty will specially grant me dismissal to return to the grove and thicket, to be fed as a bird is fed, which I would consider the greatest favor. I respectfully make this open submission to present my foolish and narrow view, packing provisions and looking toward the road, prostrate awaiting your merciful decree.' The decree immediately granted it. Someone once gave Dun a horse. Dun accepted and reared it. When someone ridiculed him for it at the time, Dun said: 'This poor monk loves its spirited nobility, and merely keeps it for a while.' Later, someone presented him with a crane. Dun said to the crane: 'Since you are inherently a creature that soars to the skies, how could you be willing to serve as a plaything for human eyes and ears?' He then released it. He had a collected works in ten fascicles, which circulated widely in the world.