辯正論 8.93

8.93

濟法寺釋法琳。致書尚書右僕射蔡國公足下。法琳草衣野客木食山人。尤類曲針誠同腐芥。不被知於當世。分緘口以終身。既德愧內充譽慚外滿匪。唯孤負慧遠。實亦帶累道安。是以畢志青溪歸心紫蓋。覆船巖下永味經書。鬼谷池前長觀魚鳥。豈謂忽辭林藪更入囂塵。久客秦川俄離楚塞。萍流八水葉墜三陽。口腹之弊已淹。仲叔之情何寄。臥靈臺而起恨。遊白社而興嗟。南巢之戀倍增。北風之悲愈切。居生坎壈稟命迍邅。空詠七哀徒吟九歎。撫躬弔影運也如何。加以病在膏肓風纏腠理。累年將息未覺有瘳。至於照雪聚螢筋力已謝。九流七略難甚緣山。萬卷百家杳猶行海。前因傅子聊貢斐然。仍以未竭邪源。今重修辯正。頗為經書罕備史籍靡充。雖罄短懷未知克就。仰惟僕射公。運籌策之才。居阿衡之任。知人之器遠邁山濤。接士之心還方趙武。風姿爽朗識度含弘。既握靈蛇之珠。爰佩荊山之玉。所以弼諧庶績變理文昌。德鏡搢紳譽形朝野。加以門稱筆海世號儒宗。不忘宿昔之懷。曲賜憂憐之訪。寒灰更煖朽木翻榮。昔王粲閱書取資蔡氏。相如達賦必賴楊侯。意者但是諸子雜書。及晉宋已來內外文集。與釋典有相關涉處。悉願披覽。謹以別錄仰呈。特希恩許。輕陳所請悚息何言。

Śramaṇa Falin of Jifa Temple presents this letter to the Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Duke of the State of Cai, at his feet: Falin is a rustic traveler clad in coarse cloth, a mountain recluse feeding on tree fruits, much like a bent needle and truly comparable to rotten mustard seed. Having received no recognition in the contemporary age, his allotted duty was to seal his lips to the end of his days. Inwardly lacking the virtue to fulfill expectations, and outwardly ashamed of overflowing repute, he has not only let down Huiyuan, but indeed also brought embarrassment to Dao'an. For this reason, his lifelong aim was set on Qingxi, and his heart turned toward the Zigai peak, endlessly savoring the scriptures beneath Fuchuan Crag and long watching the fish and birds before the pool of Guigu. Who would have thought he would suddenly take leave of the groves and thickets to re-enter the worldly dust? Having lingered long in the plains of Qin, he abruptly departed the passes of Chu. Like duckweed drifting on the Eight Waters, like leaves falling in Sanyang, the misery of feeding oneself has already dragged on, so upon what could the sentiments of [Master] Zhongshu rest? Lying on the Terrace of Spirits, resentment arose; wandering about the White Society, sighs burst forth. His longing for the southern nest doubled, and his grief over the northern wind grew ever more piercing. Living through hardship and endowed with an adverse fate, in vain did he chant the 'Seven Sorrows' and to no purpose did he recite the 'Nine Laments'. Consoling himself and pitying his shadow, what can be done about such destiny? In addition, his illness penetrates the vitals, and rheumatism entwines the pores of his flesh; though resting and convalescing for several years, he has felt no recovery. As for reading by reflected snow or gathered fireflies, his physical strength has already declined; the nine philosophical schools and the Seven Summaries are harder [to master] than climbing mountains, and the myriad scrolls of the hundred masters are as vast and distant as traveling the sea. Previously, on account of Fu Yi's remarks, he briefly presented a rough essay; yet because the source of errors was not fully exhausted, he now undertakes to revise *Discerning the Correct*. However, scriptures and classics are rarely complete, and historical records are far from sufficient. Though he has exhausted his limited understanding, he knows not whether it will be brought to completion. Respectfully I reflect that you, Duke, Vice Director, possess the talent of devising grand strategies and occupy the office of Prime Minister. Your capacity for judging men far surpasses that of Shan Tao; your heart for welcoming scholars is comparable to that of Zhao Wu. Your demeanor is crisp and bright, your discernment and magnanimity broad and accommodating. You grasp the pearl of the divine serpent and wear the jade of Mount Jing. Thus do you harmonize the myriad administrative tasks and regulate the Department of State Affairs; your virtue serves as a mirror for the gentry, and your renown is proclaimed throughout court and country. Furthermore, your clan is acclaimed as an ocean of letters, and for generations has been hailed as the foremost among Confucians. Not forgetting past affection, you graciously deigned to pay a visit of sympathetic concern, making the cold ashes warm again and turning the rotten wood to flourish anew. In ancient times, when Wang Can read through books, he drew upon the resources of the Cai clan; when Xiangru's rhapsodies attained acclaim, he relied upon Marquis Yang. My humble wish is merely that if there be any among the various masters' diverse writings, or the internal and external collected works from the Jin and Song dynasties onward, that bear upon Buddhist scriptures, I earnestly desire to peruse them all. I have respectfully submitted a separate list for your inspection, especially hoping for your kind permission. Having lightly presented my request, in trepidation and awe what more can I say?