No. 1619-A先覺集序
Preface to *The Collection of the First Awakened*
學佛然後知儒。此碩儒之論也。古人與麼道。即便與麼讚。是誠先覺之公心。今人不知佛之所以為佛。儒之所以為儒。不過分門別戶。逐影循聲焉爾。世尊云。天上天下。惟我獨尊。且道如何是我。夫子曰。吾道一以貫之。且道如何是一。打頭一著。不能明了。祇從形迹中論。枝葉上觀。豈非門外歟。哲人達士。學有本據。道有實悟。世出世間。初無二致。自覺覺他。罔有差殊。或現比丘比丘尼優婆塞優婆夷。或現宰官長者婆羅門居士。隨其緣會。所至即導利乎羣品。克垂範於後昆。夫是之謂先覺。一機一境。一話一言。可以開闢人天正眼。顯揚儒佛心宗。先覺集之所由著也。明潛陶公。輯先覺集。而祇存居士者何。蓋緣建立維摩之院供其位。即考其入道之由。所以與雲居和尚。暨同道諸君。參詳訂證。而成此言。雖未咸備。已露一斑。厥功懋哉。其中大意。既宣之於中山碑記矣。欲以是集鑴登梨棗。問敘於余。更為申明其說。
Studying Buddhism leads to understanding Confucianism—this is the view of a great Confucian scholar. The ancients spoke in this way and accordingly offered such praise; it was truly the impartial heart of those who awakened first. People today do not understand why the Buddha is the Buddha or why Confucius is Confucius; they merely divide into schools and separate into factions, chasing shadows and following echoes.
The World-Honored One said, "Above heaven and below heaven, I alone am honored." But tell me—what is this 'I'? The Master said, "My Way is threaded through by a single principle." But tell me—what is this 'one'? If one cannot clearly understand this first crucial point and only discusses things from outward appearances and observes them at the branches and leaves, is that not standing outside the gate?
Wise people and accomplished scholars have a foundation for their learning and a genuine awakening in their Way. Worldly and world-transcending are from the beginning not two different things. Self-awakening and awakening others admit no discrepancy. Sometimes they appear as bhikshus, bhikshunis, upasakas, or upasikas; sometimes they appear as officials, elders, brahmins, or householders. According to the circumstances they encounter, wherever they go they guide and benefit the multitude, and are able to leave an example for later generations. This is what is meant by "those who awakened first." A single encounter, a single situation, a single word, a single saying—any of these can open the true eye of humans and devas and make manifest the mind-seal of Confucianism and Buddhism. This is the reason the *Collection of Those Who Awakened First* was composed.
Mr. Tao Mingqian compiled the *Collection of Those Who Awakened First*, yet preserved only householders—why is that? It is because he established a hall in the manner of Vimalakirti and made offerings at their seats, examining the circumstances by which they entered the Way. Thus, together with Master Yunju and fellow practitioners of the Way, he consulted, discussed, verified, and confirmed these words. Although it is not yet complete in every respect, a glimpse of the whole has already been revealed. How great is his merit! The general meaning has already been set forth in the Record of Zhongshan. Wishing to have this collection carved and printed, he asked me for a preface. I therefore further clarify these points.
旹
At that time,
康熈十八年歲在己未夏六月傳臨濟正宗三十二世道安靜和尚撰
In the summer, the sixth month of the eighteenth year of Kangxi, a jimao year, this was composed by Elder Dao'an, thirty-second-generation heir of the Linji lineage.