集古今佛道論衡 4.20

4.20

On the fourteenth day of the fourth month in the third year [of Longshuo], at the North Pavilion of Yuebei in the Penglai Palace, [Lingbian] debated with five Daoist priests, including Yao Yixuan, and four monks from Ximing Temple, including Zili. That evening, an imperial decree discharged the monks and Daoist priests to return to their respective abbeys and temples, but specially decreed that the monk Lingbian and two Daoist priests remain behind; they were not released to return until the fifteenth day. At first, on the fourteenth day, the Daoist priest Fang Huichang explained the title of the Laozi. Lingbian asked, "You have just set forth Dao and virtue—do they belong only to the teachings of Laozi, or are they also in the Confucian tradition?" [Huichang] answered, "The Daoist scripture alone has them; the Confucian teaching lacks them." Lingbian objected, "The Classic of Filial Piety says, 'There is supreme virtue and essential Way.' The Book of Changes says, 'One yin and one yang is called the Way.' These are already clearly revealed in the Confucian texts; how could they be illuminated solely by Laozi?" Huichang answered, "The Way of naturalness is the root; the rest are branches." Lingbian objected, "If the Way of naturalness is not subsumed within yin and yang, Laozi might be considered the root. But yin and yang also encompass naturalness; how could the Zhouyi be considered branches?" Huichang answered, "Since the primordial qi, the Great Dao has been the root. The ten thousand things are all born from the Dao; the Dao is the ancestor of all dharmas." Lingbian objected, "Saying the Dao is the ancestor of all things is no different from what was said before. If Laozi and the Book of Changes share the same destination, how can you resolve this difficulty?" Huichang was unable to answer. Lingbian then mocked him, saying, "Of old, Liezi had barely encountered Ji Xian before his mind was dizzy as if drunk. When the yellow cap briefly met the black robe, he did not realize his spirit was lost in confusion!" The Emperor laughed heartily and ordered further objections. Lingbian addressed the throne, saying, "Just now, I only briefly set forth a slight outline, and the Yellow Turbans have already collapsed into ruin. If I now rely further on divine calculations, their red tongues will surely melt like ice."