集古今佛道論衡 4.44

4.44

維唐龍朔元年。西華觀道士朝散大夫郭行真所造。夫為道日損。義有存於克念。學無常師。理必資於遷善。至於道德五千言。不涉於章醮靈寶三洞事。有微於方術。黃書赤符。莫通於物議。玄霜絳雪。或陷於烏有。未若佛宗至極。坦八正之通津。妙法窮真。靜八倒之迷藪。所以百王奉化。寺塔遍於大千。萬代承風。僧徒充於天下。行真不惟鄙俚。奉佩遺筌。造像書經流通兆庶。當願早傾三漏。早見三身。早騰三界。早御三有。通被高識。通斯意焉。

In the first year of the Longshuo era of the Tang, made by Guo Xingzhen, Grand Master for Court Discussion and Daoist priest of Xihua Abbey. In practicing the Dao, one decreases day by day—its meaning lies in overcoming self-centered thought. Learning has no constant teacher—its principle must depend on moving toward good. As for the five thousand words of the Daodejing, they do not involve petitions and offerings; the affairs of the Three Caverns of the Numinous Treasure are inferior to esoteric arts. The Yellow Texts and Red Talismans fail to withstand public critique; the dark frost and crimson snow sometimes sink into nonexistence. They are not like the supreme perfection of the Buddhist lineage, which levels the broad ford of the Eightfold Noble Path; or the wondrous Dharma reaching ultimate truth, which calms the deceptive thicket of the eight inverted views. Therefore, a hundred kings have revered its transformation, temples and pagodas filling the great chiliocosm; myriad generations have received its tradition, the assembly of monks filling all under heaven. Xingzhen, not minding his own vulgarity, reverently wears the bequeathed fish trap, crafting images and copying scriptures to circulate to millions of people. He vows that they may early exhaust the three taints, early behold the three bodies, early soar beyond the trailokya, and early govern the three realms of existence, comprehensively covering those of high discernment, conveying this purpose to all.