集古今佛道論衡 4.23

4.23

昔毘城長者遊談里巷之中。今皇邑先生迂駕蓬門之內。以今況古。夫何異哉。范先生洞曉儒宗兼精李釋。未甞不覈玄微於道肆。談空理於法筵。小僧往遊江左。遐想風流。適至關中。彌欽道德。尚未披敘。邂逅相逢。深適鄙懷。是所願也。既而光陰易失嘉會難留。豈可使慧遠仲堪獨論象繫。道林玄度自解逍遙。請各據宗塗標牓題目。以申考擊共敘幽微云爾。

Formerly, the Elder of the city of Vaiśālī conversed in the lanes and alleys; today, the gentleman of the imperial capital turns his carriage within my bramble gate. Comparing the present with antiquity, how does it differ? Gentleman Fan thoroughly understands the Confucian tradition and is also well versed in Daoism and Buddhism. He has never failed to investigate the dark and subtle in Daoist halls, or expound empty principles at Buddhist assemblies. When I, a petty monk, formerly traveled to the region south of the Yangzi, I longed from afar for your refined style; having just arrived in Guanzhong, I revere your virtue all the more. Before we could unfold our thoughts, we met by chance, which deeply suited my humble wishes and was truly what I had desired. Yet time slips away easily, and fine gatherings are hard to prolong. How could we let Huiyuan and Zhongkan alone discuss the images of the Changes, or Daolin and Xuandu alone interpret the 'Carefree Wanderings'? I invite each of us to rely on our own school's tenets, put forth topics, and examine and challenge each other, to recount the obscure and subtle together.