樂邦遺稿 2.21

2.21

During the Zhenghe era, there was Master Xianzhang, named Zhongmin, a man of Sanqu. He received instruction at Xiangfu Monastery in his commandery. In his youth, carrying his book-box, he hastened to the chamber of Master Zhong of Yongjia. After a long time, the ice became colder than water and the blue greener than the indigo plant; he then went to study under the wheel of Master Nanping Wen in Qiantang to complete his training. The assembly admired his debates, and accordingly called him the 'Tiger Cub.' Later, he returned to his home region to direct Mount Fushi, where shoes filled the doorway. The Master spoke boldly, saying: 'If there are not five hundred people under my seat, I will not lecture on the main text.' Because the Master hastily uttered these words, in his whole life he only lectured on short works. When the Master's end came, he hurried back to his home monastery and gathered the great assembly in the great Dharma hall. The Master mounted the lion seat, and just as he crossed his legs, he suddenly saw a silver dais arrive from the West. He gave a shout and said: 'In my whole life I understood the ultimate truth, and I vowed to obtain a golden dais for rebirth. Why is it not so?' Thereupon he closed his eyes and passed away. None of those who saw it failed to cry out in astonishment. The so-called lion seat was carved and decorated with wood, lifelike in appearance, over ten feet high, with a lotus dais placed upon it. This monastery produced many eminent figures, who always used this as the steps to ascend. Only the Master mounted it once, and afterward no one followed him. Now that the monastery has been converted to Chan, it has been cast aside in the corner of the hall. In our school, Master Zhizhao once passed by this monastery and happened to hear this account from a senior monk.