佛祖統紀 51.3

51.3

自有佛法以來。所以知三教之並興。諸宗之互立與夫世變之不常。固已繫之編年。至欲考一事之本末。則歲月散漫莫之可尋。今故開張眾目會其事要。俾討論典故者識某事於某朝某年之下。茲但舉略以指廣云耳。

Ever since the Buddha's Dharma has existed, the reasons for knowing the simultaneous flourishing of the three teachings, the mutual establishment of the various schools, and the impermanence of worldly changes have already been attached to the chronological annals. Yet when one wishes to investigate the origin and outcome of a single affair, the months and years are scattered and diffused, making it impossible to trace. Therefore, I now open up various headings to bring together the essentials of the events, so that those who discuss past precedents may know a certain event under a certain court and a certain year. Here, I merely raise the outlines to point to what is comprehensive.