唐護法沙門法琳別傳 3.21

3.21

帝。帝悅。因召法師而問曰。朕比覽師文。僉隳老教。發言佛理。感歎良哉。而釋劣道優。朕今未曉。佛大道小。非不昧斯。宜悉爾心較言優劣。佇聞嘉唱沃朕煩懷。法師面奏曰。伏承。

the Emperor. The Emperor was pleased. He then summoned the Dharma Master and asked him, saying: "I have recently examined the master's writings; they completely ruin the teachings of Laozi. When speaking of Buddhist principles, one is deeply moved and sighs, 'How fine!' Yet that Buddhism is inferior and Daoism superior, I do not yet understand now. That the Buddha is great and the Dao is small, it is not that I am blind to this. You should fully express your mind and compare their superiority and inferiority; I await to hear your fine discourse to relieve my troubled mind." The Dharma Master memorialized in person, saying: "I humbly receive