佛祖統紀 54.122

54.122

咸淳元年乙丑寓東湖月波山。始飭工刊統紀。至六年庚午冬。忽感喘嗽之疾。家林法眷棹船見邀。遂以十二月二十一日歸于福泉之故廬。是時尚有會要志四卷未能刊。於是乘病寫本。俾刊人畢其功。秋七月鋟事既備。擬辨紙印造萬部為最初流通。甞計之刊板所費將萬券。而印造之本逾二十萬券。非高明識鑑有大財力者。則不能濟。當願　佛祖聖賢冥密勸化當朝居位　王公大人。知有法門。共相激發。或一出己力。或轉化群賢。特輟餘貲建立紙本。使統紀一書布散寰海。是亦助　國行化之大端也。磐臥病日久。恐一旦怛化此志不申。故略述始終。尚祈後賢之克繼勝業者。維　佛維　祖宜當祐之以道。

In the yichou year, the first year of the Xianchun era [1265], while staying at Mount Yuebo on the East Lake, I first instructed craftsmen to carve [the blocks for] the Tongji. In the winter of the gengwu year, the sixth year [1270], I was suddenly struck by an illness involving panting and coughing. My monastic family and Dharma kin came by boat to invite me back, so on the twenty-first day of the twelfth month I returned to my old dwelling in Fuquan. At that time, four fascicles of the 'Treatise on Essential Compendia' (Huiyao zhi) were not yet carved. Thereupon, bearing through my illness, I prepared the manuscript so that the carvers could complete their task. By the seventh month in autumn, the carving was complete. I planned to obtain paper to print ten thousand copies for the initial distribution. I once calculated that the cost of carving the blocks came to nearly ten thousand paper notes, while the expense of printing would exceed two hundred thousand notes. Unless aided by those of high discernment and vast wealth, it could not be accomplished. I sincerely pray that the holy and sage Buddhas and Patriarchs will secretly inspire and transform the princes, dukes, and grandees occupying high positions in the present court, causing them to recognize this Dharma door and mutually stimulate one another, either by personally contributing their own resources or by converting other worthy figures, generously donating their surplus funds to produce the paper editions so that this work, the Tongji, may be disseminated across the realm. This is also a major way to assist the state in executing its transformation. As I, Zhipan, have been bedridden for a long time, I fear that should I suddenly perish, this aspiration will remain unfulfilled. Therefore, I have briefly related its beginning and end, still praying that later worthies will be able to carry on this magnificent enterprise. May the Buddhas and Patriarchs surely bestow Their aid through the Dao!