法苑珠林 55.40

55.40

又曰。孔丘李老得與佛比對不。澤曰。臣聞魯孔君者英才誕秀聖德不群。世號素王。著述經典。訓獎周道。教化來葉。師儒之風。澤潤今古。亦有逸民如許成子原陽子莊子老子等。百家子書皆修身自翫。放暢山谷縱汰其心。學歸澹泊。事乖人倫長幼之節。亦非安俗化民之風。至漢景帝以黃子老子義體尤深。改子為經。始立道學。勅令朝野悉諷誦之。若以孔老二教。比方佛法。遠則遠矣。所以然者。孔老二教法天制用。不敢違天。諸佛設教。天法奉行。不敢違佛。以此言之。實非比對（今見章醮似俗祭神安設酒脯棋琴之事）吳主大悅。以澤為太子太傅。

He also asked, 'Can Kong Qiu and Li Lao be compared with the Buddha?' Ze said, 'Your servant has heard that Lord Kong of Lu possessed exceptional talent and born excellence, with sagely virtue beyond the ordinary. The world called him the Uncrowned King. He authored and compiled classics to instruct and encourage the way of the Zhou, converting later generations; the style of his scholar-teachers has enriched past and present. There were also recluses such as Xu Chengzi, Yuan Yangzi, Zhuangzi, Laozi, and the like; the writings of the hundred schools all focused on cultivating oneself and self-indulgence, giving free rein to their minds in mountains and valleys. Their study tended toward tranquil detachment, yet their conduct violated the human relations of elder and junior status, nor was it a style to pacify customs and transform the people. When it came to Emperor Jing of the Han, because the doctrinal essence of Master Huang and Master Lao was especially profound, he changed their works from "masters" to "classics", and first established Daoist learning, commanding that all in the court and countryside recite them. If one compares the two teachings of Confucius and Laozi with the Buddha-Dharma, they fall far short. Why is this so? The two teachings of Confucius and Laozi model themselves upon Heaven in instituting practice, not daring to contravene Heaven. But when the Buddhas set forth the teachings, the laws of Heaven are practiced in obedience to them, not daring to contravene the Buddha. Speaking from this perspective, they are truly not comparable.' (Seeing today their petitions and sacrificial offerings, they resemble secular spirit sacrifices, setting out wine, dried meat, chess, and zithers.) The Lord of Wu was greatly pleased and appointed Ze as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince.