佛祖歷代通載 7.115

7.115

論曰。唐太宗世既修晉書。復有勸修南北七朝史者。太宗以元魏書甚詳。故特不許。以今攷之信然也。凡佛老典教於儒者九為外學。或欲兼之。自非夙薰成熟願力再來。莫能窺其彷彿。況通其旨歸而祖述源流者乎。異哉魏書佛老志。不介馬而馳遷固之間。御靡旌以摩荀楊之壘。步驟雍容有足觀者。然則魏收兼三聖人難兼之學。平四作者不平之心。厥書獨見信於後世。顧不美哉。

The treatise remarks: In the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang, after the Book of Jin was compiled, someone advised compiling histories of the seven Southern and Northern dynasties. Because the History of the Northern Wei (Wei shu) was exceedingly detailed, Taizong specifically refused permission. Examining it today, this is indeed true. In general, the Buddhist and Daoist scriptures and teachings are considered external studies for Confucian scholars. If some wish to master both, unless their past conditioning has matured and they have returned through the power of vows, none can even glimpse their semblance, let alone comprehend their ultimate purpose and transmit their origins and streams!
How extraordinary was the "Treatise on Buddhism and Daoism" in the Wei shu! Without donning armor to race between Sima Qian and Ban Gu, and steering fluttering banners to assault the ramparts of Xun Kuang and Yang Xiong, its pacing was graceful and dignified, truly worth beholding. Thus Wei Shou mastered the learning of the Three Sages, which is difficult to combine, and calmed the restless minds of the four great authors. That his book alone is trusted by later generations—is it not magnificent?