佛祖統紀 12.25

12.25

Dharma Master Huizhou was a native of Danqiu. After both parents passed away, he renounced the family life to enter the Way. He went to Siming to study for several years, and when his training was complete, he said: 'Fazhi had an instruction: "The Buddha-path is very level, but to practice it is solely difficult." This refers to the four samādhis.' At the beginning of Tiansheng, he joined ten fellow students to practice the Great Compassion ritual for three years, and then joined fourteen persons to practice the Samantabhadra ritual for another three years. When first entering the period, he vowed before an image: 'If this samādhi is accomplished, I shall burn my body to offer it in sacrifice.' When the practice was complete, he returned to his native place to seek confirmation from Shenzhao. Shenzhao, wishing to fulfill his earnest vow, urged monastics and laypeople to contribute fragrant wood to form a great pyre. On the final day of midsummer, Shenzhao instructed him, saying: 'You have been able to cultivate the honorable offering of the *Lotus*; you have been able to comply with the clear and dark [teachings] of the *Brahmajāla*. Only fasten your mind to the Dharma realm: the body is like fire. Then the ashes of this single pyre are the accumulation of samādhi. With the vigor of Sarvasattvapriyadarśana, make the true offering to the Pure and Radiant One. Go forth and practice it!' The Master received the instruction, thanked the fourfold assembly, and sat upright on the pyre of firewood. The flames touched heaven, yet he did not waver at all. Relics shone brilliantly; those who sought them had their wishes fulfilled. They buried his remaining bones to the west of the mountain. Huaixi of Xiangfu in Qu Prefecture was a fellow student of the Master, and is said to have cultivated samādhi together with him. (Below this, the Basic Annals omitted two persons.)