廣弘明集 1.12

1.12

Grand Minister Pi asked Confucius, saying: "Is the Master a sage?" He replied: "Qiu has broad knowledge and a strong memory, but is not a sage." He asked again: "Were the Three Kings sages?" He replied: "The Three Kings were good at employing wisdom and courage; whether they were sages is not known to Qiu." He asked again: "Were the Five Emperors sages?" He replied: "The Five Emperors were good at employing benevolence and righteousness; whether they were sages is not known to Qiu." He asked again: "Were the Three Sovereigns sages?" He replied: "The Three Sovereigns were good at employing timely seasons; whether they were sages is not known to Qiu." The Grand Minister was greatly startled and said: "If so, then who is a sage?" The Master altered his expression for a while and said: "Qiu has heard that in the west there is a sage: he does not govern yet there is no disorder; he does not speak yet he is naturally trusted; he does not transform yet things naturally proceed. Vast and boundless, people cannot name him!" Arguing from this, Confucius deeply knew that the Buddha was the Great Sage. Because the conditions of the time were not yet ripe, he silently recognized it. Having the opportunity, he therefore raised it, though he could not yet proclaim its essence openly.