佛祖統紀 45.24

45.24

The commentary says: Both Confucius and Master Wenzhong declared the Buddha to be a sage. The Han clan, however, said: "The Buddha is an uncivilized barbarian." Ouyang, composing his "Original Discourse," said: "The Buddhist Dharma has been a scourge to the Central Realm." These two gentlemen did not know that the Buddha was a sage; because they did not know the vastness of heaven and earth, they did not know what was a barbarian and what was the Central Realm; because they did not know the subtlety of the Buddhist Dharma, they did not know what was the root and what was the scourge. If there are those among Confucian masters who desire to repel Buddhism, if they have not yet examined its canonical texts, consulted scholars, and thoroughly reflected upon that to which its principles return, then I fear they will be rash, wanton, and disrespectful, just like the temporary misspoken words of Han and Ouyang. Yet when Tuizhi inquired about the Way from Dadian, he himself claimed to have gained an entry point. Therefore, Luzhi said: "After Tuizhi met Dadian, his essay-writing became superior in principle, and his repelling of Buddhism also slightly diminished." When Ouyang met Zuyin, he respectfully submitted in his heart. Therefore Dongpo said: "Yongshu did not like Buddhism, yet that which was illuminated by his intelligence and achieved by the power of his virtue was truly the Buddhist Dharma!" People today merely know how to recite their previous opposition and rejection, but are unable to examine their subsequent faith and submission. For this reason, these two gentlemen ended up bearing the reputation of having denounced Buddhism; how unfortunate!