佛祖統紀 16.36

16.36

The appraisal says: The traces of holy and virtuous ones responding to the world cannot be fathomed by worldly sentiments. Now, Jueyun was a master who illuminated the teachings for a generation. On the day of his passing, he seemed to know where he was bound, entering birth and departing death, which surely cannot be compared to ordinary people. Yet, having taken form in a family of Confucian ministers, he held the ministerial office for twenty-seven examinations, with internal and external affairs peaceful and secure; his meritorious achievements were grand indeed! Furthermore, he was able to greatly protect the Buddha-Dharma and revere the Saṅgha Jewel; this was indeed the doing of one who wielded great expedient means to transform beings and manifested as a high official. In Śākyamuni’s former lifetimes, he was at times a leader among the Confucian scholars, or occupied the seat of a wheel-turning king. The novice of Sheng Temple became Emperor Wenxuan of the Qi; the monk of Huixiang Temple became Emperor Minghuang of the Tang. In recent times, Master Jie of Wuzu became Su Wenzhong; the monk holding the Tripiṭaka at Mount Langye became Zhang Wending Yong. How could one know whether the turning of capacity and shifting of status might not be a Buddha or a patriarch? Liangzhu, having clapped his hands and laughed to himself, should have attained where he was bound; yet he returned to this realm and reached the pinnacle of human ministers. Those who harbor doubt over this have simply not examined the matter well in this way.