佛祖統紀 12.13

12.13

Dharma Master Chongju was a native of Sanqu. He came to study under Fazhi, subtly fathomed the path of teaching and contemplation, and occupied the first seat. Fazhi sat listening to his lectures and remarked: 'My teaching has someone to entrust it to.' At first, he went to Dongchan in Huangyan to lecture. Fazhi sent him a letter of encouragement, saying: 'To establish oneself and practice the Way is the great enterprise of the world. Humility is the handle of virtue; you should hold fast to it. Furthermore, you should broadly investigate the refined speech of the Five Classics, so that in your writing and editing you do not fall into the common and vulgar. You ought to emulate the works of Ācārya Yuan.' Before long, he returned to Sanqu, took charge of lecturing at his home monastery of Jingde at Fushi. The temple administrator, Yuanxun, asked about the doctrine of delusion arising from the real. With a single phrase there was mutual understanding, and [Yuanxun] vowed to convert the Chan residence into an enduring place for transmitting the teachings. The commandery memorialized the court, and an imperial decree granted the request. Thereupon, he greatly opened the refectory to accommodate the assembly of students, expounding the *Śamatha-vipaśyanā* by day and lecturing on the *Suvarṇaprabhāsa* by night, and also leading the assembly in reciting the Buddha's name at one period. Because Fazhi's explanation of fusing mind had not fully exhausted the meaning, [Chongju] widely raised difficult questions. Fazhi then included the three grades [of beings] to avoid contradictions. During the reign of Zhenzong, he traveled on pilgrimage to the capital. The Emperor heard of his fame and summoned him into the inner palace, where he lectured on the *Sūtra of Forty-Two Chapters*, expansively discussing its profound principles. The Emperor was greatly delighted and bestowed upon him a purple square robe, gold coins, incense, and medicine. Soon after, he returned to Tianzhu. The community detained him as the second lecturer. After a long while, he returned once more to his native place. Ciyun handed him an incense burner, a *ruyi* scepter, and an admonition written in his own hand, encouraging him: 'You are going to deliver teachings to your relatives and neighbors. Strive diligently! Wear forbearance as your robe, enter benevolence as your chamber, sit in emptiness as your seat. Keep your body far from vexations, your mouth sparing of speech, and your mind guarded against disdain, teaching others with a mind of compassion. These are called the three rules; these are the four practices, named peaceful and stable preaching.'