佛祖統紀 24.7

24.7

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*).