大唐西域記 2.15

2.15

如來理教，隨類得解，去聖悠遠，正法醇醨，任其見解之心，俱獲聞智之悟。部執峯峙，諍論波濤，異學專門，殊途同致。十有八部，各擅鋒銳；大小二乘，居止區別。其有宴默思惟，經行住立，定慧悠隔，諠靜良殊，隨其眾居，各製科防。無云律、論，經是佛經，講宣一部，乃免僧知事；二部，加上房資具；三部，差侍者祇承；四部，給淨人役使；五部，則行乘象輿；六部，又導從周衛。道德既高，旌命亦異。時集講論，考其優劣，彰別善惡，黜陟幽明。其有商搉微言，抑揚妙理，雅辭贍美，妙辯敏捷，於是馭乘寶象，導從如林。至乃義門虛闢，辭鋒挫銳，理寡而辭繁，義乖而言順，遂即面塗赭堊，身坌塵土，斥於曠野，棄之溝壑。既旌淑慝，亦表賢愚。人知樂道，家勤志學。出家歸俗，從其所好。罹咎犯律，僧中科罰，輕則眾命訶責，次又眾不與語，重乃眾不共住。不共住者，斥擯不齒，出一住處，措身無所，羈旅艱辛，或返初服。

The different schools are constantly at variance, and their contending utterances rise like the angry waves of the sea. The different sects have their separate masters, and in various directions aim at one end.
There are Eighteen schools, each claiming pre-eminence. The partisans of the Great and Little Vehicle are content to dwell apart. There are some who give themselves up to quiet contemplation, and devote themselves, whether walking or standing still or sitting down, to the acquirement of wisdom and insight; others, on the contrary, differ from these in raising noisy contentions about their faith. According to their fraternity, they are governed by distinctive rules and regulations, which we need not name.
The Vinaya (liu), discourses (lun), sûtras (king), are equally Buddhist books. He who can entirely explain one class of these books is exempted from the control of the karmadāna. If he can explain two classes, he receives in addition the equipments of an upper seat (room); he who can explain three classes has allotted to him different servants to attend to and obey him; he who can explain four classes has "pure men" (upāsakas) allotted to him as attendants; he who can explain five classes of books is then allowed an elephant carriage; he who can explain six classes of books is allowed a surrounding escort.
When a man's renown has reached to a high distinction, then at different times he convokes an assembly for discussion. He judges of the superior or inferior talent of those who take part in it; he distinguishes their good or bad points; he praises the clever and reproves the faulty; if one of the assembly distinguishes himself by refined language, subtle investigation, deep penetration, and severe logic, then he is mounted on an elephant covered with precious ornaments, and conducted by a numerous suite to the gates of the convent.
If, on the contrary, one of the members breaks down in his argument, or uses poor and inelegant phrases, or if he violates a rule in logic and adapts his words accordingly, they proceed to disfigure his face with red and white, and cover his body with dirt and dust, and then carry him off to some deserted spot or leave him in a ditch. Thus they distinguish between the meritorious and the worthless, between the wise and the foolish.
The pursuit of pleasure belongs to a worldly life, to follow knowledge to a religious life; to return to a worldly life from one of religion is considered blameworthy. If one breaks the rules of discipline, the transgressor is publicly reproved: for a slight fault a reprimand is given or a temporary banishment (enforced silence); for a grave fault expulsion is enforced. Those who are thus expelled for life go out to seek some dwelling-place, or, finding no place of refuge, wander about the roads; sometimes they go back to their old occupation.

These rise above mundane presents, and are as insensible to renown as to the contempt of the world. Their name having spread afar, the rulers appreciate them highly, but are unable to draw them to the court. The chief of the country honours them on account of their (mental) gifts, and the people exalt their fame and render them universal homage. This is the reason of their devoting themselves to their studies with ardour and resolution, without any sense of fatigue. They search for wisdom, relying on their own resources. Although they are possessed of large wealth, yet they will wander here and there to seek their subsistence. There are others who, whilst attaching value to letters, will yet without shame consume their fortunes in wandering about for pleasure, neglecting their duties. They squander their substance in costly food and clothing. Having no virtuous principle, and no desire to study, they are brought to disgrace, and their infamy is widely circulated. So, according to the class they belong to, all gain knowledge of the doctrine of Tathagata; but, as the time is distant since the holy one lived, his doctrine is presented in a changed form, and so it is understood, rightly or not, according to the intelligence of those who inquire into it.