法華傳記 1.2

1.2

抑祥宿殖所資妙因斯發。流通一乘。讚詠真文。目聞未聞。耳見未見。昔始自姚秦訪道。暨于我大唐之有天下。流通之益。先代無之。感應無謀。非籌算能測。妙利凝𨗿。亦繩準所知乎。今聊撰集耳目見聞。動勵後輩信心。簡以十二科。分為十軸。部類隱顯傳譯支派經序論釋講解諷誦轉讀書寫聽聞供養。各略引三五。編其分科。詞質而俚。欲見聞徒易悟。事竅而實。使來葉之傳信心。更探所得新舊製撰諸宗記傳等。錄而出之。後有所獲。亦欲隨而編。編脫或當來見者編次。遂褰興妙法真文。乘乘無窮。先列篇目。後隨集而已。

Indeed, aided by the seeds planted in former lives, Xiang's wondrous cause has hereby unfolded: to circulate the eka-yāna and praise the true text, having my eyes hear what was never heard, and my ears see what was never seen. In the past, beginning with the Yao Qin when the Way was sought, down to the present when our Great Tang possesses all under heaven, the benefits of its circulation were never seen in earlier ages. Sympathetic resonance acts without premeditation, beyond what reckoning can fathom; how could its wondrous benefits, profound and remote, be known by standard measures? Now, I briefly compile what has been seen and heard by my ears and eyes, so as to move and encourage the faith of later generations. I have arranged it into twelve categories, dividing it into ten scrolls: 'Additions and Reductions of Recensions', 'Differences in Times of Hiddenness and Manifestation', 'Dates of Transmission and Translation', 'Branch Recensions Circulating Separately', 'Differences in Treatises and Commentaries', 'Collection of Prefaces by Various Masters', 'Sympathetic Resonances of Expounding and Explaining', 'Exalted Benefits of Chanting and Reciting', 'Eradication of Sins by Revolving Recitation', 'Deliverance from Suffering by Copying', 'Benefits of Listening', and 'Internal and External Offerings'. For each, I briefly cite three to five [accounts] to organize the sections. The phrasing is plain and unadorned, wishing that those who see and hear it may easily awaken; the events are clear and factual, causing faith to be transmitted to future generations. I have further explored new and old works, records, and biographies of the various traditions that have been obtained, recording and extracting them. If later anything is obtained, I also wish to compile it accordingly. If there are omissions in my compilation, perhaps future readers may arrange them in order. Thus may the true text of the wondrous Dharma be broadly promoted, vehicle upon vehicle without end. First I list the table of contents, and subsequently follow with the compilation.