No. 1574-A增集續傳燈錄序
Preface to the Expanded Continued Transmission of the Lamp, No. 1574-A
間讀司馬遷孔子世家。贊謂讀孔子書想見其為人。適魯觀仲尼廟堂車服禮器諸生以時習禮。其家祇回留之不能去。至謂天下王侯賢人甚眾。當時則榮。沒則已焉。孔子布衣傳十餘世。學者宗之。余己丑住吳之靈嵒山。永樂間為南石和尚道場。讀和尚語錄想見其人。庚子虞山錢宗伯惠我二書。一曰增集續傳燈錄。出南石和尚。一曰山菴雜錄。出恕中和尚。讀二書又想見許古人。恕中前住瑞嵒。南石前住靈嵒。余在吳在越實主二嵒。於二老俱為前後住持。以余想見二老想見許古人。則知後人則想見今人感慨略同也。書止四世。雖文獻未備。典則可徵。後學宗之足起支離泛濫之習。今世禪殻子其有瘳哉。後三年以增集續傳燈錄先付諸梓而序之。
When reading Sima Qian's "Biography of Confucius," his commentary says that reading Confucius's words makes you long to see him in person. Upon reaching Lu and visiting the temple of Zhongni, seeing his carriage, attire, ritual vessels, scholars practicing rites in due season, and the lingering reverence of his household from which they could not part—down to the remark that there were many worthy princes and nobles in the world, honored in their time but fading after death—Confucius, a commoner, has been passed down for over ten generations, venerated by scholars.
In 1649, I resided at Lingyan Mountain in Wu. During the Yongle era, it was the Dharma hall of Venerable Monk Nan Shi. Reading his recorded sayings made me long to see him in person. In 1660, Master Qian Zongbo of Yushan bestowed upon me two books: one, "The Extended Collection of the Continuation of the Transmission of the Lamp," by Nan Shi; the other, "Miscellaneous Records of the Mountain Hut," by Master Shu Zhong. Reading these two books, I similarly longed to see many ancient figures.
Shu Zhong formerly resided at Ruiyan, while Nan Shi once dwelled at Lingyan. In both Wu and Yue, I had truly presided over these two mountains, serving as the prior and successor of these two elders. Through my longing to see these two elders, I longed to see many ancients. Thus I realize that future generations, in longing to see people of today, share the same sentiment of reflection.
This record spans only four generations. Though the historical materials are incomplete, the precedents are still verifiable. Later scholars who follow this will be able to counter the scattered and excessive practices of the day. Perhaps today's Chan practitioners who are mere empty shells can be healed. Three years later, I first commissioned the printing of "The Extended Collection of the Continuation of the Transmission of the Lamp" and wrote this preface.
前住天台瑞嵒寶林淨土寺後學靈嵒弘儲書
Previously residing at Tian Tai Ruiyan Baolin Pure Land Temple, the later student Ling Yan Hong Chu wrote this.