佛祖歷代通載 7.53

7.53

The appraisal says: Emperor Guangwu of the Han was born in Nanyang, and Nanyang had no base scholars. Kumārajīva arrived in Guanzhong, and exceptional talents all assembled there. A sūtra states that when sages and worthies appear in the world, there are always bodhisattvas who practiced together with them in the causal stage who follow and take rebirth beneath them to assist their transformation. This is truly not false! Since the Wei and Jin dynasties, the Great Dharma had been rudimentary and obscure. Śramaṇas from the Western Regions who arrived generally used miraculous feats to manifest their transformation in the Central Lands. Although extraordinary individuals appeared occasionally, many were confined by their inclinations toward secular learning. Only with the arrival of Master [Kumāra]jīva did the source of the Great Dharma begin to become pure. Scholars were able to devote their minds entirely to the Mahāyāna (vaipulya) and look down upon Laozi and Zhuangzi. Truly, Master [Kumāra]jīva's service to the Dharma gate was by no means small! It was solely due to the burdens of past karmic obstacles that he lived in Guanzhong for only nine years, bringing forth not even one-tenth of his vast learning before failing to live out his lifespan. The king of Qin had the merit of bringing [Kumāra]jīva, yet was unable to bring his excellence to fruition. Alas! Had Master [Kumāra]jīva's lofty virtue and pure conduct matched what he held within, and had he lived out his natural lifespan to glorify the succession of the great teaching, even if Maitreya were to appear in the world, what could he have added to that?