集沙門不應拜俗等事 2.17

2.17

Question: In reviewing past histories, from the ancient sovereigns onward, those who occupied the throne and resided as the supreme authority never differed in their original root. The root cannot be two; therefore, the canons across a hundred generations are all unified in their lineage. This is what is meant by 'Only Heaven is great, and only Yao took it as his pattern.' If so, it was not that their wisdom failed to illuminate, but naturally there was nothing beyond to illuminate; it was not that their illumination failed to exhaust, but naturally there was no principle to exhaust. Inferring from this, beyond seeing and hearing, all is empty with nowhere to lodge. Since principle has nowhere to lodge, the Ultimate can be understood. Now, the various śramaṇas do not understand the meaning beyond the text, but are deluded by the words beyond the teaching. Their error is indeed complete! If there were clearly evident proof, this would be something rarely heard of in the world.