佛祖統紀 17.40

17.40

Dharma Master Zhengjiao, styled Yuanzhou, was of the Zhu family of Songjiang in Yin. He underwent his novitiate at Duobao. At first, he studied under Bianli Zhi'an; on account of discussing with peers the fixed themes of the *Suvarṇaprabhāsa*, he was immediately able to evaluate the merits and defects of the various masters. When Cishi resided at Qingsxiu, Zhengjiao went thither. In time, he completely mastered Cishi's way. When Cishi moved to Nanhu, he had him occupy the head of the assembly. His lecturing talent was vast, and the multitude looked up to and admired him. He went forth to preside over Guanyin in Cixi, and after moving six times to different Dharma seats, he passed away at Wuzhen in Zeyang. Gongkui, Lord Lou Yue, frequently inquired of the master concerning the essential purport of the Buddha Dharma. The master took the style Yuechuang (Moon Window). During his days residing at Guangshou, he fashioned a half moon between the window frames. Gongkui composed a record for it and presented him with a poem, saying: 'Do not make it a full moon; / The moment it is full, it wanes. / Better to make it one half, / For then it still has time to wax.' This poem was widely repeated on people's lips, and the master's reputation and virtue were thereby increasingly revered. Practitioner Liaoxuan was of the Pan family of Fenghua in Siming. He initially received the scriptures at Baolin. When Cishi resided at Qingsxiu, he went to rely on him. He often said that understanding must be accompanied by practice; thereupon, he entered the Guangyan Room at Nanhu to read the Tripiṭaka and cultivate the Lotus Samādhi for twenty-seven periods in total. He did not eat past noon, never violating the sundial. He was an intimate friend with fellow cultivator Shanrong; whenever he had a doubt while reading scriptures, he would certainly go to Rong's room to resolve it. One day, he sat silently for a long time. Rong said: 'What are you doing today?' The master said: 'The date of return is near; the bond of principle is hard to forget, so unconsciously it has come to this. Please concentrate your mind on advancing on the Way; we shall meet again in the Pure Land.' Rong laughed and said: 'I merely wish to see your manner of departure.' From this time on, the master manifested illness. Approaching his end, he requested the assembly to chant the *Amitābha Sūtra* and intone the Buddha's name. He abruptly arose, sat upright, asked for a brush, and wrote a verse: 'Nature and characteristics—passions are forgotten; / One and three have no resting place. / The wind of breath does not stir; / Mahāsiddhir.' Thereupon, joining his palms and closing his eyes, he passed away. In the midst of summer, his casket was kept for seven days; his facial complexion remained rosy and moist, with slight saliva at the corners of his mouth. When someone wiped it with silk, a wondrous fragrance assailed the nostrils. The cremated relics filled his palms, and his heart and rosary remained unconsumed. This was the tenth day of the fifth month in the first year of Jiatai. Three years later, Rong manifested illness; on the day before his demise, he bade farewell to the multitude, bathed, changed robes, requested the assembly to recite the Buddha's name, and passed away seated cross-legged. People said he was keeping his appointment with Master Xuan. (Here are missing three Dharma heirs of Dharma Master Jue'an Yan.)