佛祖統紀 18.38

18.38

Dharma Master Fadeng, styled Shengdao and called Yitang, was from the Lin family of Xiepu in Siming. He received his training in Ningbo. At first, as an upāsaka, he studied under Zian. He was naturally endowed with intuitive understanding: he never failed to memorize the essential passages of all texts, nor did he fail to grasp the core doctrines across the scriptures. After receiving full ordination, he entered Nanhu to rely on Yuetang. Considering him to have mastered his studies early from past lives, Yuetang treated him with extraordinary courtesy. After a year, he appointed him as the head of repentance rituals. They once discussed the essential import of cultivation, nature, good, and evil; master and disciple being in profound accord in the Way, their mutual closeness and respect deepened all the more. Steadfast in his resolve, he lived in pure retreat for twenty-two years without wavering. Whenever he pondered the doctrinal principles of the school, he composed writings on them; the world vied to copy and circulate them, calling them the 'Yitang Outlines'. He left seclusion to take charge of Tianfeng in the city and then moved to Zijiao. In his later years, he resided at Qingxiu. Students of the time felt ashamed if they had not attended his lecture seat.