No. 1540-A法華經顯應錄序
西竺之教。其高處至不可思議。有歷劫贊揚所不能盡。其神通發現攝魔救苦。雖非人力所及。皆其餘事也。然其教所以盛行於世。亦賴此為多。
The teachings originating from the Western Heaven reach such profound heights as to be inconceivable, beyond what eons of praise could fully express. The miraculous powers they reveal—conquering demons and rescuing beings from suffering—though beyond human ability, are merely secondary matters. Yet, the widespread prevalence of these teachings in the world owes much to these very manifestations.
法華經凡三譯。而鳩摩羅什所譯舉世誦之。功德效驗昭然顯著。傳記所載非一。葢此經實如來祕密之藏。非思量分別之所能解。故其神異如此。鄉僧宗曉朝夕誦習書寫。甞刺血書之。又集古今簡䇿之言凡二百餘事。遂成巨編。皆有依據。將版行於時。以助流通。一日訪其所居。蕭然自適。與之語。貫穿教乘。問何以不出領眾。曰非所敢當也。因出此書求余為序。余曰。
The Lotus Sutra has been translated three times, and Kumarajiva's version is the one recited throughout the world. Its merits and miraculous effects are clearly evident, with countless accounts recorded in biographies. This sutra is truly the treasury of the Thus-Come One's secret teachings, beyond what ordinary thinking and discrimination can penetrate—hence its extraordinary spiritual power. The monk Zongxiao practices it day and night, reciting and copying the sutra, even writing it in his own blood. He has also compiled over two hundred stories from ancient and modern texts into a substantial collection, all with reliable sources. He intends to publish it to further spread the teachings. One day, I visited his dwelling; it was simple and peaceful. When I spoke with him, he showed a profound understanding of the Buddhist teachings. I asked why he did not take on a leadership role in the community. He replied, "That is not for me." Then he brought out this book and asked me to write a preface.
黃面老子本不欲言。大藏所見與夫龍宮海藏之所祕。無邊無盡。其實本不曾言。況此經之舛見於餘事之餘者乎。子既集之。而余又序之邪。請不已漫書以授之。且語之曰。子欲了此而後游方。它日一登寶所悟明本性。筌蹄且將忘之。而況此乎。曉曰唯。
The golden-faced elder never intended to speak. The teachings found in the Great Canon and those hidden in the Dragon Palace's vast, endless ocean treasury—he never truly uttered them. How much more so for this sutra, which appears as a mere aside amid other matters? You have already compiled it, and now I must write a preface for it as well?
Unable to refuse your repeated requests, I hastily write these words and entrust them to you. And let me say this: if you seek understanding before traveling far, one day when you reach the treasure of enlightenment and awaken to your true nature, even the fishing basket and rabbit trap [of words and concepts] will be forgotten—let alone this little book.
Xiao responded: "Understood."
慶元四秊中秋日顯謨閣直學士太中大夫提舉
江州太平興國宮樓鑰序
Preface by Lou Yue, from Jiangzhou's Taiping Xingguo Temple