集古今佛道論衡 1.40

1.40

...resembles the Buddha. In the times of the Shi, Fu, and Yao dynasties, scriptures were translated and became widespread, presumably wishing to tame and subdue people's minds; hence they used many allegories as expedients. I do not know what kind of supernatural transformation could be so vastly profound! Its explanations of the good and evil of the human body and the causes and conditions of worldly affairs take compassion, joy, and equanimity, as well as permanence, bliss, self, and purity [as their guide]. Their texts and discourses are refined to the utmost, luminous as the sun and moon; other than a truly awakened one, who could verify them? All who bow their heads in submission take refuge in them. Accomplished persons guard their bodies and speech, cultivate their wisdom and meditative concentration, and achieve impartial liberation and ultimate bodhi. When eccentric people practice it, they cannot penetrate the principle; they merely exhaust their wealth and strength in vexatious and defiling pursuits of profit, just as the Six Classics all have their shortcomings. They simply have not penetrated it deeply! Everything was like this. Recorded according to the History of Qi.