禪林寶訓 4.12

4.12

In his youth, Shui'an was unconventional and had grand aspirations; he valued integrity and righteousness, not indulging in superficiality or adhering to petty constraints. His breast held steep ridges, and he devoted his person to righteousness. Even when disasters and hardships confronted him together, no look of dejection was seen on his face. He served as abbot at eight monasteries across four commanderies, and wherever he went, he was diligent and cautious, holding the practice and establishment of the Way in his heart. In the fifth year of the Chunxi era, he retired from Jingci at West Lake. He had a verse: / 'For six years sweeping clean the imperial capital's temple; / Rubble and tiles were turned into the halls of Śakra and Brahmā. / Today, work accomplished, I return; / From the head of my staff, pure breeze arises in the eight directions.' / Scholars and commoners blocked his path to detain him, but could not stop him. Taking a small boat, he reached Tianning in Xiu[zhou]. Soon after, he manifested illness, bade farewell to the community, and announced his end. (Biographical Account)