辯正論 3.57

3.57

The Chen dynasty Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, Marquis of Zhang Xu Ling (whose literary compositions were supreme, whose reverence and faith were seldom equaled; he created ten thousand images and copied one complete Tripiṭaka); the Chen Junior Protector and Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Yuan Xian (whose loyalty was rarely matched, whose devout faith none surpassed; at Upper Dinglin Temple he produced ten dry-lacquer images); the Chen Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Jiang Zong (whose expression of feeling was outstanding, eminent among earlier generations; on Mount Kuang he built a Maitreya statue eighty feet high and copied one complete collection of all sūtras, comprising three thousand seven hundred and fifty-two fascicles); the Chen Minister of Personnel and Chamberlain for Law Enforcement Mao Jia (whose lofty resolve and integrity were high, benevolence and generosity both abundant; his calligraphy wielded the style of the Two Wangs, his learning equaled the Three Jias; he personally wielded the brush to copy the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa Sūtra, so that even Ziyun of the Liang era could not surpass him); the Chen Household Member of the Crown Prince's Palace Fu Zai (whose scholarship rivaled Wang Bi and Zheng Xuan, whose talent matched Xie Lingyun and Lu Ji; fully versed in the three teachings, with a wondrous understanding of the One Vehicle, standing out brilliantly above the crowd, lauded throughout the realm)—the records of all these cited figures are fully contained in the historical annals, so they will not be elaborated in detail here. As for Xie Fei and Xie Lan forsaking life to preserve righteousness; Liu Kang and Liu Tan yielding merit without claiming it; Jiang Yan and Ren Fang exemplary from beginning to end; Liu Yao and Gu Xie whose writings were peerless in beauty; the circumspection of Zhang Hongce; the unflagging diligence of Lü Sengzhen; the unswerving loyalty of Zheng Shaoshu; Wang Ye and Xiao Yingzhou who were first to answer the righteous call—all were treasures of their age. Furthermore, these prominent lineages were all great scholars of their generation and truly famous scions throughout the four seas. They held strategies for ordering the state, and all were recognized as households of noble gentlemen. The altars of soil and grain were stabilized through them, and superiors and inferiors relied on them for harmony. Having both civil and military mastery to aid the age and maintain their clans, as individuals they attained achievements like the Duke of Huan's nine assemblies, and together established an enduring legacy for a thousand autumns. Not one failed to cast down their five limbs in reverent devotion to our Three Honored Ones, practicing forbearance and compassion, measuring others by themselves and extending benevolence to all beings. They regarded worldly honors and wealth like dreams, and listened to bells and drums as if deaf. They disdained the foot-wide jade disk and valued a brief word [of truth], casting away hair and skin to seek half a verse. The brushes of Meng Tian are repeatedly exhausted, yet cannot record all their deeds; the paper of Cai Lun is uselessly depleted, yet it is not easy to state all their benefits. Such examples are exceedingly numerous and can hardly be recounted to the end. In the realms of Shu, Chen, and Sui, the eminent figures of the times and the men and women of the wards and lanes—from the lofty gates connected to the imperial palace to the raised foundations bordering the celestial steps, imperial kin of the maternal clans, and affluent households of the imperial capitals—yearned eagerly for the Dao, each studying the scriptures with scroll in hand, chanting golden words with their mouths and unfurling jade rollers with their hands. Their multitudes were like grass and trees relying upon the great earth; their encounters [with the Dharma] were like scaled and shelled creatures swimming in great rivers. As for the thatched cottages of common farmers and nameless elders of the wilderness, those who had slight knowledge and aspiration or gave rise to the slightest faith are beyond counting—how could they all be recorded? Therefore, blessings and protection extend to the four kinds of born beings, and celebratory rewards assist across the three times; true benevolence and true forbearance reach down to sons and grandsons. As for the virtue they were able to practice, there is nowhere it did not reach.