釋迦氏譜 1.2

1.2

There is a saying passed down from past worthies: they ancestralise the Buddha as their master, yet are ashamed to look upon the Buddha's original lineage; they succeed to Śākya as their clan name, yet are mortified to trace the fountainhead of the Śākya clan. In my present estimation, this is quite truly recorded. Since one is said to discard secular ways, the principle cannot rest on baseless ground. Formerly, Vinaya Master Sengyou of the Southern Qi was learned in both internal and external lore, and his conduct governed all discipline. He composed the Shijia pu in one bundle of ten fascicles; in adducing events and categories, it was profusely elaborate, enriching the mind. While indeed broad reading for former luminaries, it serves not as an outline for later students. My years press upon autumn, and my life approaches the Sorrowful Vale; repeatedly receiving exhortations, I strive once more to set this forth. I venture to present five divisions in order to open three returnings. May those of the same clan and seed of the Dharma examine this intent!