佛祖統紀 38.3

38.3

自周秦至于六朝。世以為得正統。若北魏齊周。雖非相承。而世居中原盛行典禮。謂之北朝者。不鄙夷之如晉五胡也。隋氏雖受周禪。而實能統一區宇繼陳正朔。此敘史者之微旨也。矧北史之於二教。盈虛消息所繫良多。故茲並陳用為照映。

From the Zhou and Qin dynasties down to the Six Dynasties, the world has considered them to hold the orthodox lineage. As for the Northern Wei, Qi, and Zhou, although they did not form a single continuous succession, they resided in the Central Plains for generations and widely practiced rites and music; calling them the Northern Dynasties does not treat them with contempt as the Five Barbarians of the Jin were treated. Although the Sui received the abdication of the Zhou, it was truly capable of unifying the realm and continuing the orthodox calendar of the Chen. This is the subtle intent of those who write history. Furthermore, regarding the two teachings in northern history, the waxings and wanings, growths and declines, were connected with much indeed; therefore, they are presented side-by-side here to serve as illumination.