佛祖統紀 37.17

37.17

十八年。會稽沙門慧皎謂寶唱名僧傳頗多汎濫。因著高僧傳。始漢永平開德業為十科。其自序云。前古撰集多曰名僧。然名者實之賓也。若實行潛光。則高而不名。若寡德適時。則名而不高。名而不高茲焉用紀。高而不名則備今錄。世以為確論。

In the eighteenth year, the śramaṇa Huijiao of Kuaiji considered that Baochang’s *Biographies of Famous Monks* was excessively diffuse. He thereupon authored the *Biographies of Eminent Monks*, beginning from the Yongping era of the Han dynasty and dividing their virtuous deeds into ten categories. In his own preface, he stated: 'Compilations of earlier antiquity mostly spoke of "famous monks." However, fame is merely the guest of reality. If one's actual practice conceals its light, then one is eminent without being famous; if one lacks virtue but conforms to the times, then one is famous without being eminent. What use is there in recording those who are famous without being eminent? But those who are eminent without being famous are fully included in the present record.' Contemporary society regarded this as a definitive view.