- 牟子理惑
- 正誣論
牟子理惑一云蒼梧太守牟子博傳
Master Mou's Treatise on Settling Doubts: Mouzi of Cangwu Prefect
牟子既修經傳諸子。書無大小靡不好之。雖不樂兵法。然猶讀焉。雖讀神仙不死之書。抑而不信。以為虛誕。是時靈帝崩後。天下擾亂。獨交州差安。北方異人咸來在焉。多為神仙辟穀長生之術。時人多有學者。牟子常以五經難之。道家術士莫敢對焉。比之於孟軻距楊朱墨翟。先是時牟子將母避世交趾。年二十六歸蒼梧娶妻。太守聞其守學。謁請署吏。時年方盛。志精於學。又見世亂。無仕𮃻意。竟遂不就。是時諸州郡相疑隔塞不通。太守以其博學多識。使致敬荊州。牟子以為榮爵易讓。使命難辭。遂嚴當行。會被州牧優文處士辟之。復稱疾不起。牧弟為豫章太守。為中郎將笮融所殺。時牧遣騎都尉劉彥。將兵赴之。恐外界相疑兵不得進。牧乃請牟子曰。弟為逆賊所害。骨肉之痛憤發肝心。當遣劉都尉行。恐外界疑難行人不通。君文武兼備有專對才。今欲相屈之。零陵桂陽假塗於通路何如。牟子曰。被秣服櫪見遇日久。列士忘身期必騁效。遂嚴當發。會其母卒亡遂不果行。久之退念。以辯達之故輒見使命。方世擾攘非顯己之秋也。乃歎曰。老子絕聖棄智。修身保真。萬物不干其志。天下不易其樂。天子不得臣。諸侯不得友。故可貴也。於是銳志於佛道。兼研老子五千文。含玄妙為酒漿。翫五經為琴簧。世俗之徒。多非之者。以為背五經而向異道。欲爭則非道。欲默則不能。遂以筆墨之間。略引聖賢之言證解之。名曰牟子理惑云。
Mouzi had thoroughly studied the classics and the writings of the philosophers. He took delight in all kinds of books, regardless of their size or subject. Although he did not enjoy military strategy, he still read about it. He also read the texts on transcendence and immortality, but he rejected them, considering them false and absurd.
At that time, after Emperor Ling of Han had passed away, the empire fell into turmoil. Only Jiaozhou remained relatively peaceful, and many extraordinary people from the north gathered there. They mostly taught techniques of fasting and seeking immortality, and many people studied these arts. Mouzi would often refute them using the Five Classics. None of the Daoist practitioners dared to challenge him, comparing him to Mencius, who had rejected Yang Zhu and Mo Di.
Earlier, Mouzi had taken his mother and fled to Jiaozhi to avoid the chaos. At age twenty-six, he returned to Cangwu and married. Upon hearing of Mouzi's dedication to learning, the local governor invited him to serve as an official. At that time, Mouzi was in his prime, deeply focused on his studies, and witnessing the chaos of the world, he had no desire to enter official service. So he declined.
During this period, various provinces and commanderies were suspicious of one another, and communication was blocked. Because Mouzi was known for his vast knowledge, the governor sent him on a mission to Jingzhou to pay respects. Mouzi thought that while honor and rank could be easily declined, it was difficult to refuse such a mission. So he prepared to depart. But just then, the governor received word that a certain scholar-recluse had been summoned by the regional inspector, and Mouzi again pleaded illness and did not go.
The regional inspector's younger brother was the governor of Yuzhang and was killed by the general Ze Rong. The inspector sent cavalry commander Liu Yan to lead troops there, but fearing that outsiders would become suspicious and the troops would not be able to advance, he said to Mouzi: "My brother was killed by rebels. The pain of this loss pierces my very heart and liver. I want to send Commander Liu, but I fear that outsiders will be suspicious and the roads will be blocked. You are skilled in both letters and martial arts and have the ability to handle diplomatic missions. Could I trouble you to go to Lingling and Guiyang and open the way of passage?"
Mouzi replied: "I have been well treated by you for a long time. A man of honor forgets himself when a time comes for service, and is determined to act with full effect." So he prepared to set off. But then his mother died, and the mission was not carried through.
After some time, looking back on his situation, Mouzi reflected: Because of my eloquence and understanding, I have constantly been entrusted with missions. Yet now is an age of turmoil, not a time to put oneself forward. So he sighed and said: "Laozi rejected sageliness and abandoned wisdom, cultivating his own life and preserving his innate truth. The ten thousand things could not disturb his will; all under heaven could not change his joy. The Son of Heaven could not make him his minister; the feudal lords could not be his friends—such a life is truly precious."
Thus Mouzi redirected his aspirations toward the Buddha’s Way. He also delved into the Five Thousand Characters of Laozi, taking its profound mysteries as his wine and its subtlety as his food, and played the Five Classics as if they were his zither and reed-organ. Common people of the world mostly criticized him, saying he had turned his back on the Five Classics and inclined toward a foreign path. If he debated them, the arguments would stray from the Way; if he remained silent, he could not bear it. So he took up his brush and ink and briefly cited the words of the ancient sages and worthies to explain and clarify his views. This work is called "Master Mou's Disposition of Doubts."
或問曰。佛從何出生。寧有先祖及國邑不。皆何施行。狀何類乎。牟子曰。富哉問也。請以不敏。略說其要。蓋聞佛化之為狀也。積累道德。數千億載不可紀記。然臨得佛時。生於天竺。假形於白淨王夫人。晝寢夢乘白象身有六牙欣然悅之。遂感而孕。以四月八日。從母右脇而生。墮地行七步。舉右手曰。天上天下靡有踰我者也。時天地大動宮中皆明。其日王家青衣復產一兒。厩中白馬亦乳白駒。奴字車匿。馬曰揵陟。王常使隨太子。太子有三十二相八十種好。身長丈六。體皆金色。頂有肉髻。頰車如師子。舌自覆面。手把千輻輪。項光照萬里。此略說其相。年十七王為納妃。隣國女也。太子坐則遷座。寢則異床。天道孔明陰陽而通。遂懷一男六年乃生。父王珍偉太子。為興宮觀。妓女寶玩並列於前。太子不貪世樂。意存道德。年十九四月八日夜半呼車匿勒揵陟跨之。鬼神扶舉飛而出宮。明日廓然不知所在。王及吏民莫不歔欷。追之及田。王曰。未有爾時禱請神祇。今既有爾如玉如珪。當續祿位而去何為。太子曰。萬物無常有存當亡。今欲學道度脫十方。王知其彌堅。遂起而還。太子徑去。思道六年遂成佛焉。所以孟夏之月生者不寒不熱。草木華英。釋狐裘衣絺𥿭。中呂之時也。所以生天竺者。天地之中處其中和也。所著經凡有十二部。合八億四千萬卷。其大卷萬言以下。小卷千言已上。佛授教天下度脫人民。因以二月十五日。泥洹而去。其經戒續存。履能行之。亦得無為。福流後世。持五戒者。一月六齋。齋之日專心一意。悔過自新。沙門持二百五十戒。日日齋。其戒非優婆塞所得聞也。威儀進止與古之典禮無異。終日竟夜講道誦經。不預世事。老子曰。孔德之容唯道是從。其斯之謂也。
Someone asked: "Where was the Buddha born? Did he have ancestors or a homeland? What did he do, and what was his appearance?"
Master Mou said: "A rich question indeed. Allow me, in my limited capacity, to briefly explain the essentials.
I have heard that the nature of the Buddha's spiritual transformation is this: He accumulated virtue and moral conduct over countless billions of eons—so many they cannot be recorded. Yet when the time came for him to become a Buddha, he was born in India, taking form through the wife of King Shuddhodana, the pure king. While she slept during the day, she dreamed of a white elephant, six-tusked, and felt great joy at the sight. From this she conceived. On the eighth day of the fourth month, he was born from her right side. As soon as he touched the ground, he walked seven steps, raised his right hand, and said: 'In heaven above and earth below, there is none who surpasses me.' At that moment, heaven and earth shook greatly, and the palace was filled with light.
On that same day, a servant girl in the king's household also gave birth to a son, and a white mare in the stable gave birth to a white colt. The servant was named Channa, and the horse was named Kanthaka. The king always had them accompany the crown prince.
The prince possessed thirty-two major marks and eighty minor characteristics. He was sixteen feet tall, his entire body the color of gold, with a fleshy protuberance on his crown, a jaw like a lion's, a tongue that could cover his face, hands marked with a thousand-spoked wheel, and light shining from his neck for ten thousand miles. This is a brief description of his features.
At age seventeen, the king arranged a marriage for him with a princess from a neighboring kingdom. But the prince would shift his seat when sitting with her, and sleep on a different bed. The cosmic Way is profoundly clear—by the principle of yin and yang communication, she became pregnant and gave birth to a son after six years. The king cherished the prince greatly and built him palaces and gardens, filling them with dancers, treasures, and amusements. Yet the prince did not crave worldly pleasures; his mind was set on the Way and virtue.
At age nineteen, on the night of the eighth day of the fourth month, he called Channa and saddled Kanthaka. Spirits and deities lifted and carried them, and they flew out of the palace. The next morning, he had vanished—no one knew where. The king and all his subjects wept with sorrow. They pursued him and caught up with him in a field. The king said: 'Before you were born, I prayed to the gods. Now that you are here, as precious as jade, you should continue our royal line—why do you leave?'
The prince replied: 'All things are impermanent. What exists must pass away. Now I wish to study the Way and save all beings everywhere.'
The king understood that his resolve was firm, so he returned to the palace. The prince went on his way. After six years of spiritual practice, he attained Buddhahood.
Thus, he was born in the early summer month—neither cold nor hot, when plants and flowers bloom. He could set aside fur robes and wear light summer clothes, in the season of mid-tones. He was born in India because it is the center of heaven and earth, a place of harmony and balance.
The scriptures he taught amount to twelve divisions, totaling eight hundred and forty million volumes. The largest volumes are ten thousand words or fewer; the smallest are a thousand words or more. The Buddha taught the world to guide and save people. On the fifteenth day of the second month, he entered nirvana and departed. His scriptures and precepts remain. Those who follow them and practice can also attain liberation, and blessings flow to future generations.
Those who uphold the five precepts observe six days of fasting each month. On fasting days, they focus their minds single-mindedly, repent faults, and renew themselves. Monastics uphold two hundred and fifty precepts and observe fasting daily. These precepts are not to be heard by laypeople. Their conduct, manners, and behavior are no different from the ancient rites and ceremonies. They spend all day and night discussing the Way and reciting scriptures, not involving themselves in worldly affairs.
Laozi said: 'The essence of great virtue follows only the Way.' This is precisely what that means."
問曰。何以正言佛。佛為何謂乎。牟子曰。佛者號諡也。猶名三皇神五帝聖也。佛乃道德之元祖。神明之宗緒。佛之言覺也。恍惚變化分身散體。或存或亡。能小能大。能圓能方。能老能少。能隱能彰。蹈火不燒。履刃不傷。在污不辱。在禍無殃。欲行則飛。坐則揚光。故號為佛也。
Someone asked: "Why the term 'Buddha'? What exactly does 'Buddha' mean?" Mouzi replied: "Buddha is a title of honor, much like calling the Three Sovereigns 'divine' or the Five Emperors 'sages.' Buddha is the primordial source of virtue and the foundation of all spiritual beings. The word 'Buddha' means 'awakening.' He is mysterious and elusive, able to transform, splitting his body and dispersing his form. Sometimes present, sometimes absent; he can become small or large, round or square, old or young, hidden or revealed. Treading fire does not burn him; walking on blades does not wound him. In filth he remains unstained; in disaster he suffers no harm. When he wishes to move, he flies; when he sits, he radiates light. Therefore, he is called 'Buddha.'"
問曰。何謂之為道。道何類也。牟子曰。道之言導也。導人致於無為。牽之無前。引之無後。舉之無上。抑之無下。視之無形。聽之無聲。四表為大蜿蜒其外。毫釐為細間關其內。故謂之道。
The question asks: "What is the Way? What is it like?" Master Mou replies: "The Way means 'to guide.' It guides people to non-action. Push it forward, yet there is no front. Pull it back, yet there is no rear. Lift it up, yet there is no above. Press it down, yet there is no below. Look at it, and it has no form. Listen to it, and it has no sound. It is vast, spreading across the four directions beyond. It is subtle, threading through the smallest particle within. Therefore, it is called the Way."
問曰。孔子以五經為道教。可拱而誦履而行。今子說道虛無恍惚。不見其意。不指其事。何與聖人言異乎。牟子曰。不可以所習為重所希為輕。或於外類失於中情。立事不失道德。猶調絃不失宮商。天道法四時。人道法五常。老子曰。有物混成先天地生。可以為天下母。吾不知其名。強字之曰道。道之為物。居家可以事親。宰國可以治民。獨立可以治身。履而行之充乎天地。廢而不用消而不離。子不解之。何異之有乎。
問曰。夫至實不華。至辭不飾。言約而至者麗。事寡而達者明。故珠玉少而貴。瓦礫多而賤。聖人制七經之本。不過三萬言。眾事備焉。今佛經卷以萬計。言以億數。非一人力所能堪也。僕以為煩而不要矣。牟子曰。江海所以異於行潦者。以其深廣也。五岳所以別於丘陵者。以其高大也。若高不絕山阜。跛羊凌其顛。深不絕涓流。孺子浴其淵。騏驥不處苑囿之中。吞舟之魚不遊數仞之溪。剖三寸之蚌。求明月之珠。探枳棘之巢。求鳳皇之雛。必難獲也。何者小不能容大也。佛經前說億載之事。却道萬世之要。太素未起。太始未生。乾坤肇興。其微不可握。其纖不可入。佛悉彌綸其廣大之外。剖析其窈妙之內。靡不紀之。故其經卷以萬計。言以億數。多多益具。眾眾益富。何不要之有。雖非一人所堪。譬若臨河飲水飽而自足。焉知其餘哉。
問曰。佛經眾多。欲得其要而棄其餘。直說其實而除其華。牟子曰否。夫日月俱明各有所照。二十八宿各有所主。百藥並生各有所愈。狐裘備寒絺𥿭御暑。舟輿異路俱致行旅。孔子不以五經之備。復作春秋孝經者。欲博道術恣人意耳。佛經雖多。其歸為一也。猶七典雖異其貴道德仁義亦一也。孝所以說多者。隨人行而與之。若子張子游。俱問一孝。而仲尼答之各異。攻其短也。何棄之有哉。
問曰。佛道至尊至大。堯舜周孔曷不修之乎。七經之中不見其辭。子既耽詩書悅禮樂。奚為復好佛道喜異術。豈能踰經傳美聖業哉。竊為吾子不取也。牟子曰。書不必孔丘之言。藥不必扁鵲之方。合義者從。愈病者良。君子博取眾善。以輔其身。子貢云。夫子何常師之有乎。堯事尹壽。舜事務成。且學呂望。丘學老聃。亦俱不見於七經也。四師雖聖。比之於佛。猶白鹿之與麒麟。燕鳥之與鳳凰也。堯舜周孔且猶學之。況佛身相好變化神力無方。焉能捨而不學乎。五經事義或有所闕。佛不見記。何足怪疑哉。
問曰。云佛有三十二相八十種好。何其異於人之甚也。殆富耳之語。非實之云也。牟子曰。諺云少所見多所怪。覩馲駝言馬腫背。堯眉八彩。舜目重瞳。臯陶馬喙。文王四乳。禹耳參漏。周公背僂。伏羲龍鼻。仲尼反宇。老子日角月玄鼻有雙柱。手把十文足蹈二五。此非異於人乎。佛之相好奚足疑哉。
問曰。孝經言。身體髮膚受之父母。不敢毀傷。曾子臨沒。啟予手啟予足。今沙門剃頭。何其違聖人之語。不合孝子之道也。吾子常好論是非平曲直。而反善之乎。牟子曰。夫訕聖賢不仁。平不中不智也。不仁不智何以樹德。德將不樹頑嚚之儔也。論何容易乎。昔齊人乘舡渡江。其父墮水。其子攘臂捽頭。顛倒使水從口出。而父命得蘇。夫捽頭顛倒。不孝莫大。然以全父之身。若拱手修孝子之常。父命絕於水矣。孔子曰。可與適道。未可與權。所謂時宜施者也。且孝經曰。先王有至德要道。而泰伯祝髮文身。自從吳越之俗。違於身體髮膚之義。然孔子稱之。其可謂至德矣。仲尼不以其祝髮毀之也。由是而觀。苟有大德。不拘於小。沙門捐家財棄妻子。不聽音視色。可謂讓之至也。何違聖語不合孝乎。豫讓吞炭漆身。聶政㓟面自刑。伯姬蹈火高行截容。君子以為勇而死義。不聞譏其自毀沒也。沙門剔除鬚髮。而比之於四人。不已遠乎。
問曰。夫福莫踰於繼嗣。不孝莫過於無後。沙門棄妻子捐財貨。或終身不娶。何其違福孝之行也。自苦而無奇。自極而無異矣。牟子曰。夫長左者必短右。大前者必狹後。孟公綽為趙魏老則優。不可以為滕薛大夫。妻子財物世之餘也。清躬無為道之妙也。老子曰。名與身孰親。身與貨孰多。又曰。觀三代之遺風。覽乎儒墨之道術。誦詩書修禮節。崇仁義視清潔。鄉人傳業名譽洋溢。此中士所施行。恬惔者所不恤。故前有隨珠。後有虓虎。見之走而不敢取何也。先其命而後其利也。許由栖巢木。夷齊餓首陽。舜孔稱其賢曰。求仁得仁者也。不聞譏其無後無貨也。沙門修道德。以易遊世之樂。反淑賢。以背妻子之歡。是不為奇。孰與為奇。是不為異。孰與為異哉。
問曰。黃帝垂衣裳制服飾。箕子陳洪範貌為五事首。孔子作孝經服為三德始。又曰。正其衣冠尊其瞻視。原憲雖貧不離華冠。子路遇難不忘結纓。今沙門剃頭髮披赤布。見人無跪起之禮儀。無盤旋之容止。何其違貌服之制。乖搢紳之飾也。牟子曰。老子云。上德不德是以有德。下德不失德是以無德。三皇之時食肉衣皮。巢居穴處以崇質朴。豈復須章甫之冠曲裘之飾哉。然其人稱有德而敦厖允信而無為。沙門之行有似之矣。
或曰。如子之言。則黃帝堯舜周孔之儔。棄而不足法也。牟子曰。夫見博則不迷。聽聰則不惑。堯舜周孔修世事也。佛與老子無為志也。仲尼栖栖七十餘國。許由聞禪洗耳於淵。君子之道。或出或處。或默或語。不溢其情不淫其性。故其道為貴在乎所用。何棄之有乎。
問曰。佛道言。人死當復更生。僕不信此之審也。牟子曰。人臨死。其家上屋呼之。死已復呼。誰或曰呼其魂魄。牟子曰。神還則生。不還神何之呼。曰成鬼神。牟子曰是也。魂神固不滅矣。但身自朽爛耳。身譬如五穀之根葉。魂神如五穀之種實。根葉生必當死。種實豈有終已。得道身滅耳。老子曰。吾所以有大患。以吾有身也。若吾無身吾有何患。又曰。功遂身退天之道也。或曰。為道亦死。不為亦死。有何異乎。牟子曰。所謂無一日之善。而問終身之譽者也。有道雖死神歸福堂。為惡既死神當其殃。愚夫闇於成事。賢智豫於未萌。道與不道如金比草。善之與福如白方黑。焉得不異。而言何異乎。
問曰。孔子云。未能事人焉能事鬼。未知生焉知死。此聖人之所絕也。今佛家輒說生死之事鬼神之務。此殆非聖哲之語也。夫履道者。當虛無惔怕歸志質朴。何為乃道生死以亂志說鬼神之餘事乎。牟子曰。若子之言。所謂見外未識內者也。孔子疾子路不問本末以此抑之耳。孝經曰。為之宗廟以鬼享之。春秋祭祀以時思之。又曰。生事愛敬。死事哀慼。豈不教人事鬼神知生死哉。周公為武王請命曰。旦多才多藝能事鬼神。夫何為也。佛經所說生死之趣。非此類乎。老子曰。知其子復守其母。沒身不殆。又曰。用其光復其明。無遺身殃。此道生死之所趣。吉凶之所住。至道之要實貴寂寞。佛家豈好言乎。來問不得不對耳。鍾鼓豈有自鳴者。捊加而有聲矣。
問曰。孔子曰。夷狄之有君。不如諸夏之亡也。孟子譏陳相。更學許行之術曰。吾聞用夏變夷。未聞用夷變夏者也。吾子弱冠學堯舜周孔之道。而今捨之。更學夷狄之術。不已惑乎。牟子曰。此吾未解大道時之餘語耳。若子可謂見禮制之華。而闇道德之實。窺炬燭之明。未覩天庭之日也。孔子所言矯世法矣。孟軻所云疾專一耳。昔孔子欲居九夷曰。君子居之何陋之有。及仲尼不容於魯衛。孟軻不用於齊梁。豈復仕於夷狄乎。禹出西羌而聖哲。瞽叟生舜而頑嚚。由余產狄國而霸秦。管蔡自河洛而流言。傳曰。北辰之星。在天之中。在人之北。以此觀之。漢地未必為天中也。佛經所說。上下周極含血之類物皆屬佛焉。是以吾復尊而學之。何為當捨堯舜周孔之道。金玉不相傷。隨碧不相妨。謂人為惑時自惑乎。
問曰。蓋以父之財乞路人。不可謂惠。二親尚存殺己代人。不可謂仁。今佛經云。太子須大挐。以父之財施與遠人。國之寶象以賜怨家。妻子自與他人。不敬其親。而敬他人者。謂之悖禮。不愛其親。而愛他人者。謂之悖德。須大挐不孝不仁。而佛家尊之。豈不異哉。牟子曰。五經之義立嫡以長。大王見昌之志。轉季為嫡。遂成周業。以致太平。娶妻之義必告父母。舜不告而娶以成大倫。貞士須聘請。賢臣待徵召。伊尹負鼎干湯。甯戚叩角要齊。湯以致王。齊以之霸。禮男女不親授。嫂溺則授之以手。權其急也。苟見其大。不拘於小。大人豈拘常也。須大挐覩世之無常財貨非己寶故。恣意布施以成大道。父國受其祚。怨家不得入。至於成佛。父母兄弟皆得度世。是不為孝。是不為仁。孰為仁孝哉。
問曰。佛道重無為樂施與持戒兢兢如臨深淵者。今沙門耽好酒漿。或畜妻子。取賤賣貴。專行詐紿。此乃世之大偽。而佛道謂之無為耶。
牟子曰。工輸能與人斧斤繩墨。而不能使人功。聖人能授人道。不能使人履而行之也。臯陶能罪盜人。不能使貪夫為夷齊。五刑能誅無狀。不能使惡子為曾閔。堯不能化丹朱。周公不能訓管蔡。豈唐教之不著。周道之不備哉。然無如惡人何也。譬之世人學通七經。而迷於財色。可謂六藝之邪淫乎。河伯雖神。不溺陸地人。飄風雖疾。不能使湛水揚塵。當患人不能行。豈可謂佛道有惡乎。
問曰。孔子稱。奢則不遜儉則固。與其不遜也寧固。叔孫曰。儉者德之恭。侈者惡之大也。今佛家以空財布施。為名盡貨與人為貴。豈有福哉。
牟子曰。彼一時也。此一時也。仲尼之言。疾奢而無禮。叔孫之論。刺公之刻楹。非禁布施也。舜耕歷山。恩不及州里。太公屠牛。惠不逮妻子。及其見用。恩流八荒惠施四海。饒財多貨貴其能與貧困屢空貴其履道。許由不貪四海。伯夷不甘其國。虞卿捐萬戶之封。救窮人之急。各其志也。僖負䩭以壺飱之惠。全其所居之間。宣孟以一飯之故。活其不訾之軀。陰施出於不意。陽報皎如白日。況傾家財發善意。其功德巍巍如嵩泰。悠悠如江海矣。懷善者應之以祚。挾惡者報之以殃。未有種稻而得麥。作禍而獲福者乎。
問曰。夫事莫過於誠。說莫過於實。老子除華飾之辭。崇質䃼之語。佛經說不指其事。徒廣取譬喻。譬喻非道之要。合異為同非事之妙。雖辭多語博。猶玉屑一車不以為寶矣。牟子曰。事甞共見者。可說以實。一人見一人不見者。難與誠言也。昔人未見麟。問甞見者麟何類乎。見者曰。麟如麟也。問者曰。若吾甞見麟。則不問子矣。而云麟如麟寧可解哉。見者曰。麟麏身牛尾鹿蹄馬背。問者虛解。孔子曰。人不知而不慍。不亦君子乎。老子云。天地之間其猶槖籥乎。又曰。譬道於天下。猶川谷與江海豈復華飾乎。論語曰。為政以德譬如北辰。引天以比人也。子夏曰。譬諸草木區以別矣。詩之三百。牽物合類。自諸子讖緯聖人祕要。莫不引譬取喻。子獨惡佛說經牽譬喻耶。
問曰。人之處世。莫不好富貴而惡貧賤。樂歡逸而憚勞倦。黃帝養性。以五肴為上。孔子云。食不厭精鱠不厭細。今沙門被赤布。日一食。閉六情。自畢於世。若茲何聊之有。牟子云。富與貴是人之所欲。不以其道得之不處也。貧與賤是人之所惡。不以其道得之不去也。老子曰。五色令人目盲。五音令人耳聾。五味令人口爽。馳騁田獵令人心發狂。難得之貨令人行妨。聖人為腹不為目。此言豈虛哉。柳下惠不以三公之位易其行。段干木不以其身易魏文之富。許由巢父栖木而居。自謂安於帝宇。夷齊餓于首陽。自謂飽於文武。蓋各得其志而已。何不聊之有乎。
問曰。若佛經深妙靡麗。子胡不談之於朝廷。論之於君父。修之於閨門。接之於朋友。何復學經傳讀諸子乎。
牟子曰。未達其源。而問其流也。夫陳爼豆於壘門。建旍旗於朝堂。衣狐裘以當𮒂賓。被絺𥿭以御黃鍾。非不麗也。乖其處非其時也。故持孔子之術。入商鞅之門。齎孟軻之說。詣蘇張之庭。功無分寸。過有丈尺矣。老子曰。上士聞道勤而行之。中士聞道若存若亡。下士聞道大而笑之。吾懼大笑故不為談也。渴不必待江河。而飲井泉之水何所不飽。是以復治經傳耳。
問曰。漢地始聞佛道。其所從出耶。牟子曰。昔孝明皇帝。夢見神人。身有日光飛在殿前。欣然悅之。明日博問群臣。此為何神。有通人傅毅曰。臣聞天竺有得道者號曰佛。飛行虛空。身有日光。殆將其神也。於是上寤。遣中郎蔡愔羽林郎中秦景博士弟子王遵等十八人。於大月支。寫佛經四十二章。藏在蘭臺石室第十四間。時於洛陽城西雍門外起佛寺。於其壁畫千乘萬騎繞塔三匝。又於南宮清涼臺。及開陽城門上作佛像。明帝時豫修造壽陵曰。顯節亦於其上作佛圖像。時國豐民寧遠夷慕義。學者由此而滋。
問曰。老子云。智者不言。言者不智。又曰。大辯若訥。大巧若拙。君子恥言過行。設沙門有至道。奚不坐而行之。何復談是非論曲直乎。僕以為此行德之賊也。
牟子曰。來春當大飢今秋不食。黃鍾應寒[卄/(麩-夫+壬)]賓重裘。備豫雖早不免於愚。老子所云。謂得道者耳。未得道者何知之有乎。大道一言而天下悅。豈非大辯乎。老子不云乎。功遂身退天之道也。身既退矣。又何言哉。今之沙門未及得道。何得不言。老氏亦猶言也。如其無言五千何述焉。若知而不言可也。既不能知又不能言愚人也。故能言不能行國之師也。能行不能言國之用也。能行能言國之寶也。三品各有所施。何德之賊乎。唯不能言。又不能行。是謂賊也。
問曰。如子之言。徒當學辯達修言論。豈復治情性履道德乎。
牟子曰。何難悟之甚乎。夫言語談論各有時也。蘧瑗曰。國有道則直。國無道則卷而懷之。寧武子國有道則智。國無道則愚。孔子曰。可與言而不與言失人。不可與言而與言失言。故智愚自有時。談論各有意。何為當言論而不行哉。
問曰。云何佛道至尊至快無為憺怕。世人學士多謗毀之云。其辭說廓落難用。虛無難信何乎。
牟子曰。至味不合於眾口。大音不比於眾耳。作咸池設大章。發簫韶詠九成。莫之和也。張鄭衛之絃歌時俗之音。必不期而拊手也。故宋玉云。客歌於郢。為下里之曲。和者千人。引商激角。眾莫之應。此皆悅邪聲。不曉於大度者也。韓非以管闚之見而讓堯舜。接輿以毛𣯛之分而刺仲尼。皆耽小而忽大者也。夫聞清商而謂之角。非彈絃之過。聽者之不聰矣。見和璧而名之石。非璧之賤也。視者之不明矣。神蛇能斷而復續。不能使人不斷也。靈龜發夢於宋元。不能免豫苴之網。大道無為非俗所見。不為譽者貴。不為毀者賤。用不用自天也。行不行乃時也。信不信其命也。
問曰。吾子以經傳理佛說。其辭富而義顯。其文熾而說美。得無非其誠是子之辯也。牟子曰。非吾辯也。見博故不惑耳。
問曰。見博其有術乎。牟子曰。由佛經也。吾未解佛經之時。惑甚於子。雖誦五經適以為華。未成實矣。既吾覩佛經之說。覽老子之要。守恬憺之性。觀無為之行。還視世事。猶臨天井而闚溪谷。登嵩岱而見丘垤矣。五經則五味。佛道則五穀矣。吾自聞道以來。如開雲見白日。炬火入冥室焉。
問曰。子云經如江海其文如錦繡。何不以佛經答吾問。而復引詩書。合異為同乎。牟子曰。渴者不必須江海而飲。飢者不必待敖倉而飽。道為智者設。辯為達者通。書為曉者傳。事為見者明。吾以子知其意故引其事。若說佛經之語。談無為之要。譬對盲者說五色。為聾者奏五音也。師曠雖巧不能彈無絃之琴。狐狢雖熅不能熱無氣之人。公明義為牛彈清角之操伏食如故非牛不聞不合其耳矣。轉為蚊虻之聲孤犢之鳴。即掉尾奮耳蹀躞而聽是以詩書理子耳。
問曰。吾昔在京師。入東觀遊太學。視俊士之所規。聽儒林之所論。未聞修佛道以為貴。自損容以為上也。吾子曷為耽之哉。夫行迷則改路。術窮則反故。可不思與。牟子曰。夫長於變者不可示以詐通於道者不可驚以怪。審於辭者不可惑以言。達於義者不可動以利也。老子曰。名者身之害。利者行之穢。又曰。設詐立權。虛無自貴。修閨門之禮術時俗之際會。赴趣間隙務合當世。此下士之所行。中士之所廢也。況至道之蕩蕩。上聖之所行乎。杳兮如天。淵兮如海。不合闚牆之士數仞之夫。固其宜也。彼見其門我覩其室。彼採其華我取其實。彼求其備我守其一。子速改路吾請履之。禍福之源。未知何若矣。
問曰。子以經傳之辭華麗之說。褒讚佛行稱譽其德。高者凌清雲。廣者踰地圻。得無踰其本過其實乎。而僕譏刺頗得疹中而其病也。牟子曰。吁吾之所褒。猶以塵埃附嵩泰。收朝露投江海。子之所謗。猶握瓢觚欲減江海。躡耕耒欲損崑崙。側一掌以翳日光。舉土塊以塞河衝。吾所褒不能使佛高。子之毀不能令其下也。
問曰。王喬赤松八仙之籙神書百七十卷。長生之事與佛經豈同乎。牟子曰。比其類猶五霸之與五帝。陽貨之與仲尼。比其形猶丘垤之與華恒。涓瀆之與江海。比其文猶虎鞹之與羊皮。斑紵之與錦繡也。道有九十六種。至於尊大。莫尚佛道也。神仙之書。聽之則洋洋盈耳。求其效猶握風而捕影。是以大道之所不取。無為之所不貴。焉得同哉。
問曰。為道者或辟穀不食。而飲酒啖肉。亦云老氏之術也。然佛道以酒肉為上誡。而反食穀。何其乖異乎。牟子曰。眾道叢殘凡有九十六種。澹泊無為莫尚於佛。吾觀老氏上下之篇。聞其禁五味之戒。未覩其絕五穀之語。聖人制七典之文。無止糧之術。老子著五千文。無辟穀之事。聖人云。食穀者智。食草者癡。食肉者悍。食氣者壽。世人不達其事。見六禽閉氣不息秋冬不食欲効而為之。不知物類各自有性。猶礠石取鐵不能移毫毛矣。
問曰。穀寧可絕不乎。牟子曰。吾未解大道之時。亦甞學焉。辟穀之法數千百術。行之無效為之無徵。故廢之耳。觀吾所從學師三人。或自稱七百五百三百歲。然吾從其學。未三載間各自殞沒。所以然者。蓋由絕穀不食而啖百果。享肉則重盤。飲酒則傾樽。精亂神昏穀氣不充。耳目迷惑淫邪不禁。吾問其故何。答曰。老子云。損之又損之。以至於無為。徒當日損耳。然吾觀之。但日益而不損也。是以各不至知命而死矣。且堯舜周孔各不能百載。而末世愚惑。欲服食辟穀求無窮之壽。哀哉。
問曰。為道之人云。能却疾不病。不御針藥而愈有之乎。何以佛家有病而進針藥耶。牟子曰。老子云。物壯則老。謂之不道。不道早已唯有得道者不生。不生亦不壯。不壯亦不老。不老亦不病。不病亦不朽是以老子以身為大患焉。武王居病周公乞命。仲尼病子路請禱。吾見聖人皆有病矣。未覩其無病也。神農甞草殆死者數十。黃帝稽首。受針於岐伯。此之三聖。豈當不如今之道士乎。察省斯言。亦足以廢矣。
問曰。道皆無為一也。子何以分別羅列云其異乎。更令學者狐疑。僕以為費而無益也。牟子曰。俱謂之草。眾草之性不可勝言。俱謂之金。眾金之性不可勝言。同類殊性。萬物皆然。豈徒道乎。昔楊墨塞群儒之路。車不得前人不得步。孟軻闢之乃知所從。師曠彈琴俟知音之在後。聖人制法冀君子之將覩也。玉石同匱。猗頓為之改色。朱紫相奪。仲尼為之歎息。日月非不明。眾陰蔽其光。佛道非不正。眾私掩其公。是以吾分而別之。臧文之智微生之直。仲尼不假者。皆正世之語。何費而無益乎。
問曰。吾子訕神仙抑奇怪。不信有不死之道是也。何為獨信佛道當得度世乎。佛在異域。子足未履其地。目不見其所。徒觀其文而信其行。夫觀華者不能知實。視影者不能審形。殆其不誠乎。牟子曰。孔子曰。視其所以。觀其所由。察其所安。人焉廋哉。昔呂望周公問於施政。各知其後所以終。顏淵乘駟之日。見東野畢之馭。知其將敗。子貢觀邾魯之會。照其所以喪。仲尼聞師曠之絃。而識文王之操。季子聽樂。覽眾國之風。何必足履目見乎。
問曰。僕甞遊于填之國。數與沙門道人相見。以吾事難之。皆莫對而辭退。多改志而移意。子獨難改革乎。牟子曰。輕羽在高遇風則飛。細石在磎得流則轉。唯泰山不為飄風動。磐石不為疾流移。梅李遇霜而落葉。唯松栢之難凋矣。子所見道人。必學未洽見未博。故有屈退耳。以吾之頑且不可窮。況明道者乎。子不自改而欲改人。吾未聞仲尼追盜跖。湯武法桀紂者矣。
問曰。神仙之術秋冬不食。或入室累旬而不出。可謂憺怕之至也。僕以為可尊而貴。殆佛道之不若乎。牟子曰。指南為北自謂不惑。以西為東自謂不矇。以鵄梟而笑鳳凰。執螻蚓而調龜龍。蟬之不食君子不貴。蛙蟒穴藏聖人不重。孔子曰。天地之性人為貴。不聞尊蟬蟒也。然世人固有啖菖蒲而棄桂薑。覆甘露而啜酢漿者矣。毫毛雖小視之可察。太山之大背之不見。志有留與不留。意有銳與不銳。魯尊季氏卑仲尼。吳賢宰嚭不肖子胥。子之所疑不亦宜乎。
問曰道家云。堯舜周孔七十二弟子。皆不死而仙。佛家云。人皆當死莫能免何哉。牟子曰。此妖妄之言。非聖人所語也。老子曰。天地尚不得長久。而況人乎。孔子曰。更去辟世孝常在。吾覽六藝觀傳記。堯有殂落。舜有蒼梧之山。禹有會稽之陵。伯夷叔齊有首陽之墓。文王不及誅紂而歿。武王不能待成王大而崩。周公有改葬之篇。仲尼有兩楹之夢。伯魚有先父之年。子路有𦵔醢之語。伯牛有命矣之文。曾參有啟足之辭。顏淵有不幸短命之記。苗而不秀之喻。皆著在經典。聖人至言也。吾以經傳為證。世人為驗而云不死。豈不惑哉。
問曰。子之所解誠悉備焉。固非僕等之所聞也。然子所理何以正著三十七條。亦有法乎。牟子曰。夫轉蓬漂而車輪成。窊木流而舟檝設。蜘蛛布而罻羅陳。鳥跡見而文字作。故有法成易無法成難。吾覽佛經之要。有三十七品。老氏道經亦三十七篇。故法之焉。於是惑人聞之踧然失色。叉手避席逡巡俯伏曰。鄙人矇瞽生於幽仄。敢出愚言不慮禍福。今也聞命霍如蕩雪。請得革情洒心自勅。願受五戒作優婆塞。