四明尊者教行錄 5.36

5.36

Master Li, the doctrinal leader of Siming, was a person of eminent stature in the Buddhist order. His gathered disciples were truly numerous, and he devoted himself entirely to universally exhorting the cultivation of the Pure Land teaching. At the beginning of the Tianxi era, he gathered ten monks to practice a repentance ritual, intending to burn their bodies when the three-year period was completed. Yang Danian, Hanlin Academician, admired his character and sent a letter requesting him to remain in the world, saying: '(I, Yi) have respectfully heard that you are cultivating a thousand-day repentance and intend to burn your body of the four great elements, gathering ten monks of pure practice to be reborn in the nine grades of the Land of Bliss. I venture to present this request, hoping you will comply with the sentiments of the multitude, begging you to take remaining in the world as your pledge, hoping you will transmit and uphold [the Dharma] to bring forth benefit. May you grant your permission, so that we may gaze upon your noble bearing.' Li persistently refused. Danian further sent a letter to Master Shi of Tianzhu, entrusting him to go in person to persuade him to stay. The letter said: 'Recently, Lecture Master Li of Mingzhou made a great aspiration and diligently cultivated the repentance ritual, setting a term of three years when they will all proceed to cremation. Moreover, this monk transmits and upholds the Great Teaching and is a guide for the world; if he remains long, the benefit will be vast. Truly cherishing profound esteem, I secretly wish to persuade him to stay, and having exhausted my utmost sincerity, I expressed an earnest plea. The reply I received was firm and immovable. I know that you, Repentance Master, share the same lineage with him and together transform the Southeast; you can cross the great waters of the Zhe River, proceed to the pure dwelling on the Yin River, and skillfully offer words of remonstrance, that he ought to remain long in the world.' On the imperial birthday that year, (Yi) approached Grand Councillor Lord Kou to recommend him for a purple robe to honor him. Toward the end of the Tianxi era, Bureau of Military Affairs Commissioner Ma (Zhijie) requested Danian to compose a spirit-path stele for his father, offering a writing fee in compensation. Danian refused it entirely, seeking only that Ma submit a memorial recommending a master's title for Master Siming. Zhijie thereupon memorialized