敘
Preface
牧師出世以來，住古南最先。予咫尺里居，從遊服教，閱十餘年。不才駑廢，愧于本事，少有請益。師知予夙習所存，每示作詩文相勸誘也。逮後，予自粵嶺東西，鴻魚闊好；師每吳門上下，金玉嗣音。繼予賚捧長安，量移岷蜀，往返京口，尋師鶴林。未期之間，遂得三過。一日，霽雨秋涼，登高杜鵑樓次，供茗之暇，繙帙巋然。維師語錄而外，別集種種具焉。考夫單提拈頌，從上相沿；觸緒篇章，諸方不乏。維理絕于名言，既殊本末；苟情存乎藻繢，奚當妍媸？然而淺深之致見矣，大小之數分矣。世有讀斯集者，以師為宗工，將永明之錄、覺範之傳，寒山、石屋之詩，軌轍相方；以師為文士，亦陶、王、白、蘇之間，位置攸在。予嘗聞世俗文章家有私議之者矣，曰：「吾于牧師，姑未言其他。就其才多著述如此，即不挾策應舉，第閉門著書，當澤永留名山也。」此則雖不知者之詬詈，亦足以概見云。
Since Master Mushi emerged into the world, he first resided in Gunan. I lived nearby and followed him as a disciple, receiving his teachings for over ten years. Though untalented and dull, I felt ashamed of my limited abilities and seldom sought deeper understanding. Knowing my inherent inclinations, the Master often encouraged me by sharing his poetry and writings.
Later, when I traveled east and west across the Yue mountains, our correspondence grew sparse; while the Master moved up and down the Wu region, his precious teachings continued to reach me like enduring music. After I was assigned to Chang'an and later transferred to Minshu, I passed through Jingkou several times, seeking the Master at Helin. Unexpectedly, I visited him three times within a short period.
One day, after the rain cleared and autumn turned cool, I ascended the Du Juan Tower. During a tea break, I browsed through a substantial collection of texts. Beyond the Master's recorded sayings, various separate works were preserved there.
Examining these—whether pointed teachings, raised verses passed down through generations, or inspired writings that abound everywhere—I reflected: When truth transcends words, distinctions of root and branch vanish; if one clings to ornamental language, how can true beauty be discerned? Yet through these works, depths and shallows become visible, and great and small measures are distinguished.
Readers of this collection may regard the Master as a patriarchal master—comparable to Yongming's records, Juefan's transmissions, or the poetry of Hanshan and Shiwu, following similar paths. Or they may see him as a literary figure—rightly placed among Tao, Wang, Bai, and Su.
I once overheard worldly literati discussing privately: "Regarding Master Mushi, let's not speak of other matters. Just considering his prolific writings—even without pursuing examinations, had he simply closed his door and authored books, his legacy would surely endure in the mountains of fame." Though this comes from those who do not truly understand, it still captures a glimpse of his stature.
欈李王庭言遠敬題
Li Wangting of Yuzhou respectfully inscribed this.