高僧傳 7.4

7.4

Having meditated deeply for a long time and thoroughly comprehended what lies beyond words, Daosheng sighed and said: "Symbols are meant to fully express meaning; once the meaning is grasped, the symbols are forgotten. Words are meant to explain principle; once principle is reached, words cease. Since the scriptures flowed east, translators have encountered repeated obstacles; most clung to rigid phrasing, and few perceived the complete meaning. Only if one forgets the fish-trap upon catching the fish can one begin to converse about the Way with them." Thereupon, collating the ultimate and conventional truths and investigating causes and effects, he established that "good karma receives no retribution" and "sudden enlightenment leads to Buddhahood." He also composed the Treatises on the Two Truths (Erdi lun), on the Buddha-Nature to Be Attained (Foxing dangyou lun), on the Dharmakāya Lacks Form (Fashen wuse lun), on the Buddha Has No Pure Land (Fo wu jingtu lun), and on Response Accords with Conditions (Ying you yuan lun), which encompassed earlier doctrines and contained subtle and profound purports. But those who clung to the literal text mostly harbored resentment and jealousy, and clamors of approval and rejection arose in contention. Furthermore, when the six-fascicle Nirvāṇa-sūtra first reached the capital, Daosheng analyzed its scriptural principles and penetrated deeply into their subtleties, whereupon he stated that "even icchantikas can all attain Buddhahood." At that time, the large version had not yet been transmitted; his solitary illumination preceded it, and his singular view ran counter to the multitude. Thereupon, those of the old learning regarded it as heterodox teaching, and their mockery and indignation grew increasingly severe, until they brought it before the great assembly and expelled him. Facing the great assembly, Daosheng composed his countenance and vowed: "If what I have spoken contradicts scriptural meaning, may I manifest a malignant disease in this present body; but if it is not contrary to the true mark, may I occupy the lion throne at the end of my life!" Having spoken, he shook his robes and set forth on his journey.