佛祖統紀 9.10

9.10

禪師慧成。段氏。澧陽人。初受業於十住寺。誦法華淨名勝天王經二十餘卷。日為常課。既受具遊建業學成實論。一聽十年文理略盡。將歸本邑。聞南岳闡化之盛即往依之。岳以師依文生解激之曰。汝一生學問。與吾炙手猶不得熱。虛喪功夫豈不惜哉。師承法訓憤。取章疏盡焚之。開眼坐禪夜以達旦。如此五年。岳令入方等觀音法華般舟三昧。歷試諸行以銷宿障。行之三年得解眾生語言三昧。彼閉目坐禪者。觀道雖明開眼或失。岳歎之曰。智顗先發三昧後證總持。慧成今又及之。二子行解亦且齊矣。續於荊州枝江（邑名）創造藍寺。殿缺巨梁。忽六月江漲。夢有木可中梁用。往江視之果然。信士段弘為精舍主。忽氣絕召師至舍。弘乃省曰。初被執至王所。見師上殿曰。我與此人共立功業未辦。願宥之。王起禮足許之。陳後主聞師名召之。毅然不往。常又令江總往迎。且戒之曰。師若不允不勞返也。使人雨淚強邀上船。師奮身入水立江中。使更請曰。若不蒙往總等粉身無地矣。師閔其意。從至闕下。帝躬身請戒法。賜所居曰禪慧寺。有常律師過。師同寢夜。擲蝨於地。明將告別。師曰。夜來一檀越被凍可閔。常大慚。永以為戒。一日語門人急甃殿階。吾當講涅槃。及事成建講。適智者自玉泉來。共談玄理。良久入定示滅。

Chan Master Huicheng, of the Duan clan, was a native of Liyang. Initially, he studied at the Shizhu Monastery, reciting over twenty fascicles of the Lotus, Vimalakīrti, and Suvikrāntavikramin scriptures as his daily regular practice. After receiving full ordination, he traveled to Jianye to study the Harivarman's Satyasiddhiśāstra; after a single hearing over ten years, the text and principle were almost exhausted. Just as he was about to return to his home district, he heard of the greatness of Nanyue's teaching and conversion, and immediately went to rely on him. Nanyue, considering that the Master was generating understanding based merely on text, provoked him by saying: "Your lifetime of learning cannot even warm my hands; is it not a pity to waste your efforts in vain?" Receiving the Dharma instruction, the Master was indignant, took his commentaries and treatises, and burned them all. Sitting in dhyāna with open eyes, he went from night until daybreak; this continued for five years. Nanyue ordered him to enter the Fangdeng, Avalokiteśvara, Lotus, and Pratyutpanna samādhis, experiencing and testing the various practices to dissolve former obstacles. Practicing this for three years, he attained the samādhi of understanding the languages of all sentient beings. Those who sit in dhyāna with closed eyes, although their contemplative path is clear, may lose it upon opening their eyes. Nanyue praised him, saying: "Zhiyi first manifested samādhi and later verified dhāraṇī. Huicheng has now also attained it; the practice and understanding of these two sons are indeed equal!" Subsequently, he founded the Lan Monastery in Zhijiang (a county name) in Jingzhou. The main hall lacked a large beam. Suddenly, in the sixth month, the river swelled. He dreamt that there was wood suitable for the beam; going to the river to inspect it, it was indeed so. The faithful devotee Duan Hong was the patron of the vihāra. Suddenly, his breath ceased, and he summoned the Master to the residence. Hong then awoke, saying: "At first, I was captured and brought to the king's place. I saw the Master ascend the hall and say: 'This man and I are establishing meritorious works together which are not yet completed; please pardon him.' The king arose, bowed to his feet, and granted it." The Last Ruler of the Chen heard the Master's renown and summoned him, but he resolutely refused to go. Later, he further commanded Jiang Zong to go and receive him, admonishing him: "If the Master does not consent, you need not trouble to return." The emissary wept tears like rain, entreating him forcefully to board the boat. The Master sprang into the water and stood in the middle of the river. The emissary pleaded again: "If you do not deign to go, Zong and the others will have no place to pulverize our bodies." The Master pitied his intent, and followed him to the palace. The Emperor bowed in person to request the precepts, and bestowed upon his residence the name Chanhui Monastery. Vinaya Master Chang once visited, and slept in the same room with the Master. At night, he flicked a louse to the ground. In the morning, as he was about to bid farewell, the Master said: "Last night, a dānapati was frozen, which was truly pitiable." Chang was deeply ashamed, and made it an eternal admonition. One day, the Master told his disciples: "Quickly pave the hall's steps with brick; I shall lecture on the Nirvāṇa." When the work was completed and the lecture established, it happened that the Wise One arrived from Yuquan. They discussed the profound principle together; after a long while, he entered concentration and manifested cessation.