洛陽伽藍記合校本序
Preface to the Collated Edition of the Record of Buddhist Monasteries in Luoyang
此書以如隱本為最古然尚有吳琯本綠君照曠從如隱出漢魏從吳琯本出漢魏缺字較少則亦似據吳本校補付梓者故明刻二種各有淵源以今校之正譌互見清代諸刻皆據如隱傳鈔於是大宗存而小宗亡矣
The version by Ru Yin is the oldest among these editions, though there is also the edition by Wu Guan. Lü Junzhao's edition derives from Ru Yin's version, while the Han Wei edition is based on the Wu Guan edition. The Han Wei edition has fewer missing characters, suggesting it was likely supplemented and corrected before being printed. Thus, these two Ming dynasty editions have distinct lineages. When comparing them today, we find errors and correct readings in both. All Qing dynasty editions were transcribed from Ru Yin's version, leading to the preservation of the main lineage while the secondary lineages were lost.
如隱本第二卷崇真寺條下自即有青衣十人至若有私財物造經像者為第四頁秦太上君寺條下自花林芳草之芳字起至阿附成名之阿字止為第九頁平等寺條下自無所干預之干字起至若今宰相也之今字為第十八頁三頁皆缺余所見本係據真意堂本鈔補即毛氏所謂第二卷中缺三紙者也此本既不敢據一本認為定本亦不敢據他書妄改本書今合校諸書擇其長者儻有異義下注某刊作某存而不論但使學者不願妄斷故名之曰合校本
According to the second volume of the Hidden Edition, under the entry for Chongzhen Temple, the passage from "Ten men in blue robes appeared" to "If someone uses private wealth to make sutras and statues" is missing from the fourth page. Under the entry for Grand Supreme Lord Temple, the passage from the character "flower" in "flower forest and fragrant grass" to the character "sycophant" in "sycophantly seeking fame" is missing from the ninth page. Under the entry for Equality Temple, the passage from the character "interference" in "without any interference" to the character "now" in "like the present Chancellor" is missing from the eighteenth page. All three pages are missing. The edition I have seen was supplemented by copying from the True Intention Hall Edition—that is, what Mr. Mao called the three missing pages in the second volume. This edition cannot be regarded as the definitive version based on a single source, nor can I rashly alter the original text based on other writings. Now, by collating multiple sources and selecting the better readings, whenever there is a difference of interpretation, I note below which edition has which version, leaving the matter unresolved without taking sides. This approach simply ensures that scholars will not act on rash judgments. Therefore, I have named it the "Collated Edition."
庚午正月立春後五日海寜張宗祥記
Recorded by Zhang Zongxiang of Haining, on the fifth day after the Beginning of Spring in the first month of the year Gengwu.