廣弘明集 18.31

18.31

見君與周居士往復。足為賓主。然佛教精微難以事詰。至於理玄數表義隱於經者。不可勝言。但恨君作佛弟子。未能留心聖典耳頃得書論亦未始暫忘。年衰多疾不暇有答。脫因講集之餘。粗綴所懷今寄往。試與同疑者共尋。若見其族則比干商臣之流可不思而得。釋慧遠頓首。

I have seen the back-and-forth between you and Layman Zhou; it is quite sufficient to serve as host and guest. However, the Buddhist teachings are subtle and profound, difficult to interrogate through worldly affairs. As for principles transcending numbers and meanings hidden within the scriptures, they are beyond reckoning. My only regret is that as a disciple of the Buddha, you have not been able to fix your mind on the sacred scriptures. Recently, having received your letter and treatise, I never forgot them for a moment. But in my declining years, beset with many illnesses, I had no leisure to reply. Taking advantage of a break after the lecture assembly, I have roughly strung together my thoughts and now send them to you, so that you may investigate them together with those who share your doubts. If you perceive their category, then cases like Bi Gan and Shangchen can be understood without deliberation. Shi Huiyuan bows his head.