佛祖統紀 24.7

24.7

今家欲尊四明為正祖。則當自龍樹已下。通為十七代。以並尊其位。或謂興道至高。論功德稍微者。夫時有通塞。則道有污隆。然於道何傷焉。不有其父。焉得其子。茲但取傳教之迹耳。欲審其由。當求諸宗門尊祖議（見名文光教志）。

If our tradition wishes to honor Siming as a primary patriarch, then from Nāgārjuna downward, there should be seventeen generations in all, equally honoring their status. Some may say: ‘Xingdao’s status was paramount, while his meritorious deeds were slightly modest.’ Times have periods of obstruction and prosperity, and the Way has decline and flourishing, yet how could this harm the Way? Without the father, how could there be the son? Here we merely take the traces of transmitting the teachings. If one wishes to examine the reasons, one should consult the ‘Discourse on Honoring Patriarchs in Our Tradition’ (found in the *Treatise on Illustrating the Dharma through Celebrated Writings*).