No. 853-A刻因明入正理論疏前後二記序
Preface to the Two Commentaries on the Beginning and End of the Nyāyamukha
夫因明入正理論者商羯羅主菩薩造玄弉三藏譯基師為之疏淄洲相尋雖撰述纂斷究暢八門要旨未令於疏文分釋繇旃學者虗功難以成業者乎爰樸揚其門人也覃思研精而考決前哲宗統噩而以彰灼前後二記重披二因玄猷妙曉自他兩益嗟乎䛚乎(予)遊聽南都之日稟于詵本於西京之高範相伯珍玩年于茲矣於其書也義理冲邃芒乎而闢昧乎而閎也況歷代已尚文字殫殘碩疑縵縵未能卒令成虧乎調適者間亦多焉而今使稍采本衡正其一二繼𠗦嬴以流于世亦乞天下之辨者再訂焉謂魚處於陸濡以沫矣若到大成必為一濡云爾。
The Treatise on the Proper Path of Logic was composed by the master Śaṅkarasvāmin and translated by the Tripitaka Master Xuanzang. The foundational commentary was written by Master Kuiji. Though later scholars at Cizhou and Xiangzhou successively compiled and elucidated the essential meanings of the eight categories, they never provided a detailed explanation of the commentary itself. As a result, learners labored in vain and found it difficult to achieve mastery.
Now I, Puyang, a student of his lineage, have pondered deeply and researched diligently, examining and resolving the doubts of previous masters. By clarifying the lineage of the tradition, I have illuminated both the earlier and later records. Re-exploring the profound principles of the two kinds of causes, I have marvelously comprehended the benefits of understanding oneself and others.
Alas! When I studied in the southern capital, I received a copy of the text from Xiben at the esteemed monastery in the western capital. I have treasured it and studied it for years. In this work, the meaning is profound and far-reaching—obscure, vast, and elusive. Moreover, throughout the generations, the text has suffered wear and damage, leaving many serious doubts unresolved, making it impossible to fully grasp its completeness. There are also many places where the harmony and balance of meaning have been lost.
Now, I have modestly selected from the original version, correcting some errors, and adding to the growing corpus of study to make it available to the world. I also invite the learned and discerning among you to further verify these corrections.
As the saying goes, when a fish is stranded on dry land, it is saved by a little moisture. If one day this work achieves completion, it will surely bring some small relief.
享保三年春三月東藩舘林沙門賢敞書于洛東智積上舍
In the third year of Kyōhō, during the third month of spring, the monk Kenshō of Tatebayashi Domain in the eastern provinces wrote this at the Chishaku Monastery in eastern Kyoto.