一切經音義 27.5

27.5

The Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra: this strikes the subtle words of profound quiescence, and awakens the esoteric import of immense capacity. It extols the True Vehicle to magnify emptiness, eclipsing the sun chariot shining upon the heavenly paths; it unfolds the water of awakening to flow into hidden fords, nurturing the misty rains that permeate the bounds of the earth. It is truly the virtuous seal of the Dharma King, verily the foundation trodden by sentient beings! Because of this, the black-robed elites of the golden land universally returned to the truth and attained the profound, and the white-robed talents of the jasper mountain all imbibed the Way and sought the source. Those who savoured it were indeed numerous; those who debated and parsed it were not just a few. Yet the musical notes showed not the slightest likeness, and the tracks of their carts repeatedly diverged. While the masters taught their verses and sentences at random, the disciples took to hearsay along the road. The descendants, far from being clear, increasingly lost their way on the level path. In the past, I, Ji, took part in reviewing and examining translations, contributing modest and minor effort. Although in terms of literary composition I did not craft doctrinal flavors, I received considerable instruction from masters. When tentatively reviewing the myriad compilations, there was nowhere to turn. Thereupon, stirred with indignation on behalf of earlier scholars and compassionate towards later students, I composed the Mystic Praise (Xuanzan) in ten fascicles and the Sounds and Explanations (Yinxun) in one fascicle. The Praise takes the fundamental treatise (Upadeśa) as primary, relying on other scriptures where there are gaps; the Sounds take the Shuowen as standard, collecting subtle glosses from other books. The doctrinal import is truly subtle and profound, roughly investigating and plumbing the lineages of their origins; the literary expressions are elegant and polished, lightly gleaning and exhausting the root causes. Although this may not serve as a definitive compass, it truly may be called chasing northern retreats deeply. Those who discern people with wise insight will naturally approve it. May its ripples easily cross the mulberry ford, its radiant brilliance soaring without cessation, and its mist linger upon the elm peaks, the fragrance of the Way being transmitted imperishably. Never ceasing to reflect upon it, I detail its profound principles.