出三藏記集 10.8

10.8

昔在佛世經法未記。言出尊口弟子誦習。辭約而義博記鮮而妙深。佛既泥曰微言永絕。猶穀水消竭日月隕墜。於是眾賢共使阿難演其所聞。凡所著出十二部經。其後高明各為注說。章句解故或以十數。有菩薩者。出自安息。字世高。韜弘稽古靡經不綜。愍俗童矇示以橋梁。於是漢邦敷宣佛法。凡厥所出數百萬言或以口解。或以文傳。唯沙彌十慧未聞深說。夫十者數之終。慧者道之本也。物非數不定。行非道不度。其文郁郁其用亹亹。廣彌三界近觀諸身。調以不敏得充賢次。學未浹聞行未中四。夙羅𣧑咎遘和上憂。長無過庭善誘之教。悲窮自潛無所繫心。於是發憤忘食因閑歷思。遂作十慧章句。不敢自專事喻眾經。上以達道德下以慰己志。創奧博尚之賢不足留意。未升堂室者。可以啟矇焉。

Formerly, during the Buddha's time, the scriptures and teachings were not recorded in writing. The words came from the Venerable One's mouth, and the disciples recited and practiced them. The phrasing was concise yet the meanings were broad; the written records were scarce yet wondrously deep. Once the Buddha entered nirvāṇa, the subtle words ceased forever, like the waters of a valley drying up or the sun and moon falling. Thereupon, the worthy ones together tasked Ānanda with expounding what he had heard, producing twelve divisions of sūtras. Thereafter, the eminent each composed commentaries and explanations, explaining the chapters, phrases, and origins, sometimes by the dozens. There was a bodhisattva from Parthia whose name was Shigao. Magnanimous and devoted to antiquity, there was no sūtra he did not master. Pitying the ignorant commoners, he showed them a bridge. Thereupon, he proclaimed the Buddha's Dharma in the Han land, translating several million words in total, explaining some orally and transmitting some in writing. Only concerning the Śrāmaṇera's Ten Wisdoms had a profound explanation not been heard. Now, ten is the culmination of numbers, and wisdom is the foundation of the Path. Without numbers, things are not determined; without the Path, practices cannot bring deliverance. Its text is splendid, and its utility is tireless; broadly it encompasses the three realms, while closely it contemplates one's own body. I, Diao, despite my lack of talent, had the fortune to join the ranks of the worthy. Yet my learning has not become comprehensive, nor has my conduct attained the four standards. Early on I met with misfortune and caused sorrow to my preceptor; for long I lacked the benevolent guidance of family instruction. In deep sorrow and isolation, my mind had nothing to latch upon. Thereupon, forgetting to eat in my ardent resolve, taking advantage of leisure to ponder through it, I composed the Chapter-and-Phrase Commentary on the Ten Wisdoms, not daring to rely on my own authority but drawing on analogies from the sūtras—above, to reach the virtue of the Path; below, to comfort my own mind. For sages of profound and vast aspirations, it is unworthy of attention; but for those who have not yet entered the inner chamber, it may open their eyes.