吳都法乘序
Preface to the Dharma Wheel of Wu
吳都法乘三十卷蓋有明吳江周永年安期先生之所纂輯也先生為恭肅公用之曾孫忠毅公宗建之兄當崇禎之季世以清節力學聞于時自邦君大夫以至湖海士人多知其名而爭相延佇先生泊然不顧惟以著述為務俾後之覽者知千載浮提儼然華藏世界大事因緣宛若龍象長流方之聲塵煊赫于當世轉瞬隨逝水以唐捐者其胸次識力顧可同日而語哉先生著述甚多其幸免于劫火者有鄧尉山聖恩寺志余于往歲既為寺僧校讎而梓行之矣獨于是書數數求之而未得歲丙寅搜採虎阜金石于清怡親王祠見此舊抄本于是欣然以喜商之主僧得旬日期亟假歸斥資倩鈔胥二十人秉燭兼書如期而竣欲付之剞劂以廣流傳顧茲事體大獨力難任又以人事蹉跎卒卒未遑今裕甫諸公舉以印行書且成走筆以相告曰此書與君有甚深因緣是不可以不序余既喜覺士波光歷塵劫以烺燿珠林法苑晦百世而重昭將見樂郊樂土頓還南朝四百之舊觀梵行梵天本為有情一生之補處仰彼前修欽此達識業海不波功德無量矣民國二十五年丙子寒食節騰衝李根源書于吳門曲石精廬
*The Dharma Wheel of Wu* in thirty volumes was compiled by Mr. Zhou Yongnian, styled Anqi, of Wujiang during the Ming Dynasty. Mr. Zhou was the great-grandson of Gongsu Gong (Zhou Yongyong) and the elder brother of Zhongyi Gong (Zhou Zongjian). In the late Chongzhen era, he was renowned for his integrity and diligent scholarship. From local officials and nobles to scholars across the land, many knew his name and vied to invite him, yet he remained indifferent, dedicating himself solely to writing. His works allow later readers to understand that over millennia, this floating world is truly a magnificent lotus treasury, and great causes and conditions flow like mighty dragons and elephants. Compared to those whose fame blazes brightly in their time only to vanish like flowing water, his vision and insight are simply incomparable.
Mr. Zhou authored many works. Among those spared from destruction by fire is *The Gazetteer of Sheng'en Temple on Dengwei Mountain*, which I edited and printed for the temple monks in previous years. Yet, I had long sought this book without success. In the year Bingyin, while searching for stone inscriptions at Tiger Hill in the Qingyi Prince’s Temple, I came across this old manuscript copy. Overjoyed, I negotiated with the head monk for a ten-day loan. Hastily, I hired twenty copyists, who worked day and night by candlelight to complete the transcription on time. I intended to have it carved and printed for wider circulation, but the task was immense and beyond my individual capacity. Moreover, life’s affairs were tumultuous, and I never found the opportunity.
Now, Yufu and other gentlemen have undertaken its printing. As the book nears completion, they wrote to inform me, saying, “This book shares a profound connection with you—it cannot go without a preface.” I am delighted that the light of awakening, having traversed the dust of kalpas, now shines again in the jeweled groves and Dharma gardens, obscured for centuries yet once more revealed. May we witness joyful lands and pure abodes restored to the ancient splendor of the four hundred temples of the Southern Dynasties. May the practice of Brahma conduct, inherently the fulfillment for all sentient beings in this very life, be upheld. I look up to the predecessors with reverence and admire their profound wisdom. May the sea of karma remain calm, and may the merit be immeasurable.
Written at the Qushi Study in Suzhou on the Cold Food Festival, in the year Bingzi of the Republic of China (1936), by Li Genyuan of Tengchong.