佛祖統紀 17.44

17.44

Dharma Master Liaosheng was a man of Zhuji in Yue. At age twelve, he left household life; his wise understanding was like that of an adult. At first, he called on Master Qin of Dongling. At that time, following the manner of Chan monasteries, they resided collectively in the saṅgha hall. On the night of the Lantern Festival, the assembly went to view the lanterns. Master Qin, carrying incense, saw him sitting upright on his platform bed and asked: 'Why did you not go along with the crowd?' He answered: 'I have received your admonition, Master, to focus my mind on learning and not engage in frivolous play.' Master Qin was greatly pleased, patted his back, and said: 'Thirty years from now, who else but you will revive our school?' When he reached adulthood, he deeply investigated doctrinal teachings and contemplation; his contemporaries submitted in awe. He went forth to preside over Dingshan, lecturing and chanting without missing a day. Above the shelf of his sleeping couch, he placed the *Lotus Sūtra* and an image of the heavenly deity Weituo (Skanda), wearing the five-strip robe and sleeping in the auspicious posture. He conducted himself with scrupulous discipline and revered the Dharma, never altering his integrity even in a dark room. (Here is missing one person, Dharma Master Faqin. In this fascicle, of forty-four persons in total, the original text lost thirty-one, recording only thirteen.)