後秦長安釋僧肇作
苻堅有國，據關中，號為大秦；暨姚萇篡立，亦號為秦，故史以前、後別之。萇崩，其子興嗣國。什師譯經，當興之時，故公稱後秦。按公傳略云：「法師僧肇，京兆人，幼家貧，為人傭書，遂博觀子史。志好虗玄，每以老莊為心要。既而歎曰：『美則美矣，然其栖神冥累之方，猶未盡善。』後見舊《維摩經》，歡喜頂受，乃曰：『始知所歸矣。』因此出家，年二十為沙門，名震三輔。什公在姑臧，肇走依之。什與語，驚曰法中龍象也。及歸關中，詳定經論，四方學者輻輳而至，設難交攻。肇迎刃而解，皆出意表。著般若無知論，什覽之曰：『吾解不謝子，文當相揖耳。』傳其論至匡山，劉遺民以似遠公，公拊髀歎曰未曾有也。復作物不遷等論，皆妙盡精微。秦主尤重其筆札，傳布中外。年三十二而卒，當時惜其早世云。」
Fu Jian established a state, occupying the Guanzhong region, and named it Great Qin. Later, when Yao Chang usurped the throne, he also called his state Qin. Thus, historians distinguish them as the Former Qin and Later Qin. After Yao Chang's death, his son Yao Xing succeeded to the throne. Master Kumarajiva translated the scriptures during Yao Xing's reign, which is why the text refers to it as Later Qin.
According to the brief biography of Master Sengzhao: "Master Sengzhao was a native of Jingzhao. In his youth, his family was poor, and he worked as a scribe for others, which allowed him to read widely in the classics and histories. He was drawn to the profound and mystical, often finding the essence of his thoughts in Laozi and Zhuangzi. Yet he sighed and said, 'They are beautiful indeed, but their methods for settling the spirit and freeing oneself from burdens are still not fully perfected.' Later, when he came across an old copy of the *Vimalakirti Sutra*, he joyfully received it with reverence and said, 'Now I know where I belong.' Thus, he renounced worldly life and became a monk at the age of twenty, his fame spreading throughout the Sanfu region.
When Kumarajiva was in Guzang, Sengzhao traveled to join him. After speaking with him, Kumarajiva exclaimed in amazement, 'He is a dragon, an elephant among the Dharma!' After returning to Guanzhong, Sengzhao meticulously examined the sutras and treatises. Scholars from all directions gathered, raising difficult questions and challenging him, but Sengzhao resolved them effortlessly, often surpassing their expectations. He wrote the *Treatise on the Prajna of Non-Knowing*. After reading it, Kumarajiva said, 'My understanding is no less than yours, but in literary elegance, I must bow to you.'
When the treatise was transmitted to Mount Lu, Liu Yimin showed it to Master Huiyuan. Huiyuan patted his thigh and sighed, saying, 'This is unprecedented!' Sengzhao also composed other treatises such as *On the Immutability of Things*, all of which captured the subtlety and profundity of the teachings. The ruler of Qin particularly valued his writings, which were circulated both within and beyond the court. He passed away at the age of thirty-two, and his early death was deeply mourned at the time."