佛祖歷代通載 1.2

1.2

When the Buddhists discuss the world, they invariably speak in terms of mahākalpas and antarakalpas. Before the Chinese script could convey this, it was completely unknowable. After Kāśyapa Mātaṅga and Dharmaratna arrived during the Han dynasty, the birth and extinction of the Buddha Śākyamuni could be calculated retroactively by year. From that point on, people of China were able to record it in Chinese. Among those coming eastward from Tianzhu and adjacent kingdoms, none were more flourishing than during the Western Jin down to such kingdoms as Yao Qin and the Shi Zhao. As for these persons, there were masters such as Kumārajīva, Fotudeng, Narendrayaśas, and Dharmakṣema; while outstanding and wondrous scholars of the eastern land, such as Dao-sheng, Seng-zhao, Dao-rong, and Seng-rui, served as their wings. They translated scripture meanings entirely into Chinese, thoroughly probing the subtleties of Buddhist doctrine without omission. There were even foresighted scholars who knew retroactively that the ultimate principle had not yet been fully reached. The practice of Buddhist studies was never more extensive than during this time. There were Dao'an, who matched Heaven, and Master Huiyuan, who opened up territories in the southeast, with Buddhayaśas following him from afar in escaping the world. Worthy gentlemen relied on one another during chaotic ages. Then masters such as Baozhi and Shuanglin Fu arose to expound the Dharma, and Buddhist studies flourished greatly in the southeast. Then the Wise One [Zhiyi] promoted the Saddharmapuṇḍarīka at Tiantai; the Tripiṭaka Master [Xuanzang] opened up prajñā at the beginning of the Tang; Qingliang Chengguan expanded the Avataṃsaka at Wutai Shan; Master Guifeng Zongmi expounded the Complete Enlightenment at Caotang; Master Daoxuan made rigorous the vinaya teachings at Nanshan; and Master Vajrabodhi inaugurated the Esoteric teachings during the Tianbao era. Treatises on the greater and lesser triyāna, vijñapti-mātra, and the like were analyzed with minute precision by specialized masters; their volumes caused oxen to sweat and filled buildings to the rafters. Among hundreds and thousands of scholars, there were those who grew white-haired without reaching the very depths. When Bodhidharma arrived, his robe was transmitted five times, and the Five Houses were thereupon established. Deriving from the same source into different branches, from the Liang through the Song, this was called the correct lineage of transmission of the Dharma. Under our