廣弘明集 3.25

3.25

The teaching of the Śākya clan has truly spread throughout the central lands; its lectures, recitations, and savouring of meaning run parallel to the books of Confucius. Although Wang recorded them in his writing, they were not included within the scope of his Records; seeking the reality in light of principle, this was not satisfactory. Therefore, the record of the Buddha-Dharma is arranged as the first of the Outer Chapters. The books of the Way of the Immortals have a venerable antiquity; Liu set the immortals at the end of Methods and Skills, whereas Wang placed Daoist scriptures outside of his Seven Records. I now combine them into an arranged record of the Way of the Immortals as the second of the Outer Chapters. While Wang put Daoism first and Buddhism second, I now put Buddhism first and Daoism second; this is because their venerated traditions are different, and also because their teachings have depths and shallows. The Inner and Outer Chapters together make seven records. The world's lost books and secret records may hopefully be fully accounted for herein.