佛祖統紀 37.17

37.17

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.