弘明集 6.16

6.16

正曰。佛經之宗根明極教。而三世無得。俗證覺道非可事顯。然精深所會。定慧有徵於內。緣感所應。因果無妄於外。夫釋迦發窮源之真唱。以明神道之所通也。故其練精研照非養正之功。微善階極。異殆庶自崖道濟在忘形。而所貴非全生。生生不貴存存。何功忘功而功著。寂滅而道常。出于無始入乎無終。靡應非身塵劫非遐。此其所以為教也。

Rectification: The fundamental aim of the Buddhist scriptures is to illuminate the ultimate teaching. Yet across the three times there is nothing to be attained; conventional realizations of the path of awakening cannot be manifested through physical affairs. However, where the refined and deep converge, meditative concentration and wisdom have evidence within; where conditions and stimuli respond, cause and effect are never false without. Śākyamuni uttered the true proclamation that exhausts the source to illuminate that which the spiritual Dao penetrates. Therefore, his refining of essence and investigating with illumination are not the work of nurturing vital breath; minute goods stepping to the ultimate are different from barely approaching the edge; the Dao rescues through forgetting the corporeal form, and what is valued is not preserving life. Generating life after life is not valued, and persisting in existence after existence—what merit has it? Forgetting merit, his merit is conspicuous; in tranquil cessation, his Dao is constant. Emerging from the beginningless and entering the endless, there is no response that is not his body, and dust-particle kalpas are not distant. This is why it serves as the teaching.