英語訳
【Right Page - Final page of Denritsu Zugen Kaishū Vol. 2】
【Upper Section】
I have taken up the brush to compile this record. This shows that National Master Gyōnen's path of vinaya learning lies particularly in the fundamental methods. Therefore, to make the lineage chart known, I have now examined the excerpts of ancient texts and written this out. The forms of the ancestral masters' names are extremely numerous. However, what the school branches use generally cannot exceed this. Later, if scholars see errors, they can make new revisions. My poor handwriting and inadequate prose are shameful to behold. This should not be disclosed to others, by all means. I only wish to use the merit of compiling this draft as a means for eliminating sins and generating virtue.
The moon of the Three Bodies shines brightly in the palace of True Thusness, and the flowers of the Seven Treasures bloom ever more vividly on the platform of True Characteristics.
Vinaya monk and quasi-bhikṣu of Tōdaiji branch, Ryōzen Jūkei (age 27, 9 summers in the Dharma)
1. The Matter of the Appearance of the Holy Relics from the Golden Pagoda of the Ordination Platform Hall
On the 14th day of the 3rd month of Kōji 2 (1276), year of the fire-mouse, at the hour of the rooster, Buddha relics were excavated from the ruins of Tang Zen Temple.
Tang Zen Temple was the former site of Master Jianzhen's temple, a sacred ground of our temple's foundation. However, after its destruction, for many years there were no traces of the monastery, and secular houses stood side by side. When Monk Administrator Jōshin was in charge of temple affairs, he demolished numerous private houses and built a single Buddha hall. Later, at that Buddha hall, the holy monk Saikō (of Renjistu-bō), who was promoting the stone platform of Tōdaiji at that time, frequently made great vows for restoration. First, for the surrounding walls, he solicited local people to clear the thorns and brambles. In the northwest corner was a large mound. When they had it excavated to level the ground, a white crystal jar was dug up from the base of the wall. (About three inches in diameter. It was immediately broken into three pieces by the hoe. However, the Buddha relics gathered together into three balls like chestnut cakes, with a few scattered about.) At that time, Monk Chūdō and Monk Shōzen rushed from Shingon Temple to that place and reverently placed the Buddha relics in an incense box.
These Buddha relics were distributed by King Victorious Army in the land of the Moon (India). A Sanskrit monk brought 5,000 grains to Daming Temple in Yangzhou, Tang China, and presented them to Master Jianzhen. Of these, 2,000 grains were enshrined in the pagoda of Daiyun Temple, and 3,000 grains were brought by the master to Japan. 1,000 grains went to Shōdaiji Temple, 1,000 grains to Emperor Shōmu, and 1,000 grains were enshrined at Tang Zen Temple.
The details are found in the Record of Miraculous Responses of the Holy Relics. This record consists of one volume of about sixty-some sheets.
【Left Page Upper Section】
Preface to the Biographies of Vinaya Masters (Ritsuon Sōhōden)
Tang Minister Zheng Weizhong once asked Liu Zhixuan: "Since ancient times, there have been many literary scholars but few with historical talent. Why is this?" He replied: "History requires three excellences: talent, learning, and discernment. The world rarely combines all three, hence few have historical talent." Now, Central China is a land of literary culture, where court officials and famous scholars are as numerous as cart-loads. Yet when it comes to historical talent, few combine all qualities. How much more so in Japan!
The vinaya master Kenshō of Anyang Temple in the eastern lake region entered the Buddhist order in his youth and transcended the dusty world. His character is pure and his learning broad; his understanding far-reaching and his talent heroic. He penetrates past and present and practices both doctrinal and meditation schools. He is truly a literary phoenix of the Buddhist gate, a great whale of the Dharma ocean. In recent years, during his leisure from retirement, he compiled the fifteen-volume "Biographies of Vinaya Masters," containing about 300 figures, occasionally composing eulogies for them. From the western and eastern regions to Japan, he has gathered the noble conduct and excellent words of eminent vinaya masters almost completely. His writing is direct yet concise; his accounts accurate yet detailed. This is worthy to be called a monastic history of one era of the vinaya school. I believe the vinaya section represents the Buddha's own golden words, and after his passing, Venerable Upāli compiled them, with the sacred assembly again producing verses. Through this, sage teachers and great virtuous masters have widely propagated them in the world, with representatives in each generation. They are truly wisdom lamps illuminating the world, precious rafts for crossing the river. Therefore the Buddha said: "You bhikṣus, after my passing, should revere and treasure the Prātimokṣa as if encountering light in darkness or a poor person finding treasure. Know that this is your great teacher. Even if I were to remain in the world, it would be no different from this."
Since the Tathāgata's earnest instructions and teachings have been followed and practiced by this master, he is not unworthy to be called a follower of Nanshan, and
【Left Page Lower Section】
examining his complete compilation, not only does his talent and literary excellence stand out, but especially praiseworthy is his long-standing aspiration to support the school. This is admirable. Recently he requested a preface from me, and I could not decline. I secretly think that not praising when one sees goodness is not the way of a gentleman. Therefore I述べ its general outline at the beginning of the volume, hoping that those indolent parasites who inappropriately join the monastic community without cultivating moral precepts or establishing proper conduct might know to take warning. Written in the fifth year of Jōkyō (1688), year of earth-dragon, on the full moon day of mid-spring, by the Chinese heir monk of the Nangen school, at Tentoku hermitage.