佛祖歷代通載 19.81

19.81

夫自古世間之事無有大如生死者若欲免之在脩乎六度萬行於六度萬行而能廣之者惟佛與祖也佛祖之要先賢集以成書目之曰通載庶慕之者循而行之至乎死生之際得其自在矣可不信歟。

Since ancient times, among all matters in the mundane world, none is greater than birth and death. If one wishes to escape them, it lies in cultivating the six perfections and the myriad practices. Among the six perfections and myriad practices, those capable of expanding them are only the Buddhas and Patriarchs. The essentials of the Buddhas and Patriarchs were gathered into a book by past sages, titled the Comprehensive Record, so that those who admire them might follow and practice it, thereby attaining self-mastery when facing birth and death. How could one not believe this?