化度寺碑: Modern Chinese Translation?

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23 hours ago, davoosh said:

秀：谷物叶穗开花

 

Yes. That's the original meaning of the word, and the extended meanings of flourishing and accomplished come from that concept. Here it's being used in a similar way to how in English we might talk about "the fruits of nature" in a general sense rather than meaning actual fruits.

 

23 hours ago, davoosh said:

窮：穷尽；用尽

盡：完；完尽；完了

 

窮理盡性 is a chengyu from the Book of Changes. Here's a Mandarin gloss, if you prefer those to English: 窮究事物的道理和萬物的本性.

 

The meanings of 理 and 性 could be discussed till the cows come home, but basically 理 is an internal pattern — as opposed to 文 which is an external pattern — and as a philosophical concept refers to (internal) order. Often it's translated as 'reason'. 性 is one's inborn nature or character. It usually comes up in philosophical discussions on the role that learning plays in shaping human behaviour, most famously in the writings of Mencius and Xunzi. This link should help you get an idea of the debate.