Commentaries

Notes on the Inscriptions on Sacred Scrolls (5)

The inscription on the portrait of Ch'i dynasty master T'an-luan:

The monk T'an-luan, disciple of Sakyamuni, was a native of Wen-shui district in Ping-chou. He lived from the latter part of the Wei dynasty to the beginning of the northern Ch'i dynasty. Of towering and wondrous intellect, he was renowned in the three countries, and his penetrating insight into the sutras set him apart from all others. The ruler of Liang, King Hsiao, always turned to the north and paid homage to T'an-luan as to a bodhisattva. T'an-luan wrote a commentary on the Treatise on Birth in the Pure Land in two fascicles.

This passage is taken from the three-fascicle Treatise on the Pure Land Teaching by Chia-ts'ai, a disciple of Sakyamuni.

The monk T'an-luan, disciple of Sakyamuni, was a native of Wen-shui district in Ping-chou: Ping-chou is the name of a province. Wen-shui district is a place name.

He lived from the latter part of the Wei dynasty to the beginning of the northern Ch'i dynasty: The latter part of the Wei dynasty is an era in Chinese history.

Of towering and wondrous intellect extols the master's wisdom as incomparable.

He was renowned in the three countries: Three countries refers to the Wei, Ch'i, and Liang dynasties. Renowned: He was famous throughout these three countries.

Penetrating insight into the sutras: He attained a profound and extensive knowledge of a wide range of scriptures. Set him apart from all others: He was preeminent among men.

The ruler of Liang: a king during the Liang dynasty named Hsiao. Always turned to the north and paid homage: This king of Liang always paid homage to T'an-luan, who was in the north, as to a bodhisattva.

Commentary on the Treatise on Birth in the Pure Land: he composed a detailed exegesis of the Treatise on the Pure Land known as the 'commentary [that is a bodhisattva's] treatise'. In two fascicles: This commentary comprises two fascicles.

The three-fascicle Treatise on the Pure Land Teaching by Chia-ts'ai, disciple of Sakyamuni: Chia-ts'ai was a patriarch of the Pure Land teaching and a man of wisdom. These words praising T'an-luan appear in this venerable man's three-fascicle work, the Treatise on the Pure Land Teaching.