佛祖統紀 47.25

47.25

The commentary says: Since antiquity, high ministers have associated with Buddhists out of respect for their Way and reverence for their character. In our dynasty, high ministers associating with Buddhists have been especially numerous. One has never heard of people implicating each other over the transgression of words. Hong Juefan's exile to Zhuya was due to his associating with Zhang Wujin; Gao Dahui's banishment to Hengyang was due to his associating with Zhang Zishao; yet both had their words made into their crime! Now the association between Confucians and Buddhists consists merely of matching verses in poetry and discussing the Way, or else undertaking gatherings like the Donglin Society on Mount Lu. How should it ensnare worthy men among the treacherous, and snare parties of people residing in the forests? That it brought misfortune to the Dharma-gate, as with these two masters, was due to the overblown criticism of remonstrating officials and the lack of discernment in the imperial palace.