佛祖歷代通載 16.31

16.31

論曰。昔周武廢教。沙門犯顏抗爭。殆數十人。雖不能格武之惑。然足見吾法中之有人也。及唐高祖議沙汰。而惠乘玄琬智實法林等皇皇論爭。引義慷慨。亦不失法王真子之識。凡自大曆而後。祖道既興。吾門雄傑多趍禪林。至是武宗議廢教。而主法者才知玄一人而已。雖武宗盛意不可解。佛運數否莫可逃。凡釋子者處變故之際。無一辭可紀。佛法尊博如天。亦吾徒失學之罪也。

The appraisal states: In ancient times, when Emperor Wu of the Northern Zhou abolished the teachings, several tens of monks openly resisted and disputed with him. Although they could not overcome Wu's delusion, it was sufficient to show that there were persons of caliber within our Dharma. When Emperor Gaozu of the Tang deliberated on purging the saṅgha, masters like Huicheng, Xuanwan, Zhishi, and Falin debated vigorously and cited principles with great passion, not failing the discernment of true sons of the Dharma King. Ever since the Dali era, after the ancestral way had flourished, the heroes of our gate mostly flocked to the Chan monasteries. By this time, when Emperor Wuzong deliberated on abolishing the teachings, the only one who defended the Dharma was Zhixuan alone. Although Emperor Wuzong's fierce intent could not be dissolved and the decline of the Buddha's fortune could not be escaped, during this time of disaster, among the followers of the Buddha, there was not a single word worth recording! The Buddha's Dharma is as exalted and vast as heaven; this is also the crime of our company having neglected learning.