弘明集 10.122

10.122

尋三世昞然二果昭著。安可惑六塵而不曉。迷五塗而長沒。以為形謝神滅骸亡識朽。此外道之邪見。豈可御瞿曇之正法。所謂輕陳一旅敵堂堂之鋒。輒馳駑駘與騏驥而並行。恐長劫有盡領蟲方至。一身死壞復受一身。精神無託人畜隨緣。涅槃明文瑞應高說。主上聖照幽深鏡察潭遠。譬兩祭而知不滅。喻妄作於背親。義隨八引而舛入。言比性道而難聞。弟子少遊弱水。受戒樊鄧師白馬寺期法師。屢為談生死之深趣。亟說精神之妙旨。爾來師心絕此疑想。復覩斯判。益破魔塗。非但閱覿於今。方結緣於後。徒知歸信闇比求名。猥惠沾示深承眷篤。弟子張緬和南。

Investigating the three times, they are clear; the two fruits are brilliantly evident. How could one be confused by the six dusts without understanding, or be lost in the five paths and sink forever? To believe that when the corporeal form departs the spirit is extinguished, and when the bones perish consciousness decays, is a heterodox view of non-Buddhists; how could it withstand Gautama's True Dharma? This is what is called lightly deploying a single brigade against a grand and mighty vanguard, or rushing an inferior nag to run alongside a fine steed. I fear that even when long kalpas end, the neck-worms will just begin to arrive; after one body perishes and breaks, one receives another body. The spirit has nowhere else to rely, becoming human or beast according to conditions. This is the clear text of the Nirvāṇa [Sūtra] and the exalted teaching of the Auspicious Response [Sūtra]. His Majesty's sagely illumination is profound and deep, his mirrored inspection far-reaching. He illustrates that it is not extinguished through the two sacrifices, and compares erratic actions to turning against one's parents. The meaning diverges when following the eight citations; the words are as difficult to hear as the nature and the Dao. When young, your disciple traveled along the Ruoshui, received the precepts in Fan and Deng, and took Master Qi of Baima Monastery as my teacher; he repeatedly spoke of the deep purport of birth and death, and often explained the sublime principle of the spirit. From then on, relying on my mind as my teacher, I severed these doubts and notions. Now seeing this imperial judgment, it further shatters the path of Māra. Not only is it read and seen in the present, but it also plants affinities for the future. Merely knowing to take refuge in faith, I am secretly compared to one seeking fame. Having been granted this showing, I am deeply grateful for your generous affection. Disciple Zhang Mian pays veneration.