佛祖統紀 26.56

26.56

How lofty is Heaven! The sun and stars cast down their radiance. How deep is Earth! The mountains and peaks anchor its pillars. Imbued with the energy between the two spheres and sharing in the excellence of the Five Elements, those who are numbered among the Three Powers must be the most spiritually sentient of the human realm. As for one whose virtue surpasses the vast realm and whose spirit blends with the domain of wisdom, who manifests the peerless illumination of Kapilavastu and draws from the dark ford of amṛta, eternally honored along with famous peaks and ceaselessly aspiring to the sunrise tree—that person is Master Huiyuan. The Master was a native of Loufan in Yanmen, surnamed Jia, a disciple of the monk Dao'an. His heroic manner was elegantly resonant, his pure conduct and modest integrity were immaculate; detailed in ancient steles and the biography by Zhang, he had already surpassed previous talents and proclaimed widespread fame. Though his mind was like ashes and his body like earth, his spiritual workings arose naturally from heaven; with a golden mouth and a wooden tongue, his Dharma voice thundered like thunder. Free of grasping or rejecting, his monastic discipline was clear as ice; neither born nor extinguished, the radiance of his dhyāna nature shone brightly. Harboring virtue in spring warmth, the vast masses cleansed their minds; his spirit plunged in deep contemplation, while distant realms raised their heads to him. Practicing unshared dharmas, he was ever moved by great compassion; perfumed by the wisdom of prajñā, he was abundant in all pure conduct. Thus, he was able to guide and accommodate all goodness and wash away all doubts. Just as the ten thousand streams look up to the ocean and converge, and a single rain moistens all things alike, this is truly what is meant by the āmalaka fruit inherently containing reality, and the puṇḍarīka flower not being dyed by external defilement. Since the ninth year of the Taiyuan era of the Jin dynasty, when the Master first shook his staff on the southern ridge and took up residence at Donglin, seven dynasties have passed, spanning nearly four hundred years. His prevailing influence and lingering kindness continue down to this day, and people cherish and look up to him. Thus, Tiger Creek became the Dragon Gate of the Buddhists, and Mount Lu became the Quli of scholars. In the eleventh year of the Zhenyuan era of the Imperial Tang [795 CE], the Prefect of Jiangzhou, Duke Yan Shiliang of Pingyi, holding illustrious virtue and receiving his tally of office, proclaimed harmony and reported his administrative duties. Above, he assisted in the flourishing transformation; below, he oversaw the common people. Governing through non-action, the governance was brought to peace. Touring the harvest in the outer fields, he directed his path toward Donglin. Spreading his robes at the gate of meditation, he reverently gazed upon the surviving image. He sighed and said, “As for this renown, heat and cold cannot alter its fragrance! As for this virtue, rivers and seas cannot reach its limit! Even those of trivial deeds and slight integrity have their pillars and verandas erected, occupying high status within rooms. How could one of such revered excellence merely lodge his image upon a wall?” Thereupon, together with the temple’s senior leader, Vinaya Master Xiyi, he planned the construction of an extraordinary hall to make manifest the true image. Commending excellence and planting goodness, the two schemes shared a single purpose. Pleasing the assembly and engaging craftsmen, its accomplishment was not of fleeting stone. With embroidered eaves towering into the clouds, the venerable countenance was brightly illuminated. Those contemplating the supreme Way preserved the subtle image within their perception; those savoring the profound words attained the dark pearl beyond conception. How was it only Huiyi who was awed by his heroic manner to the point of sweating profusely, or Yin Zhongkan who looked up to his pure manner with a drunken heart? Indeed, were it not for Master Huiyuan’s consummate virtue, he could not have translated holy texts or subdued eminent persons; were it not for Duke Yan’s lucid insight, he could not have established a pure sacrifice or spread fine models. Carving the fragrance on stone and bronze, reverently praising both excellences, he composed this inscription, which reads: Endowed with pure and spiritual essence, / truly he was a consummate person. / Harboring virtue and grasping brilliance, / like the rising sun bringing forth spring. / His Way illuminated the oceanic realm; / he secluded himself on the mountain shore. / The six ministers cast off their court robes; / the eight scholars renounced their turbans. / As conditions departed, all things passed away; / traces remained, though affairs were gone. / Through countless thoughts his spirit roams; / across sands of the Ganges, transformations spread. / Clearly shining across the distant expanse, / gently echoes the lingering sound. / The sun of wisdom gathers its radiance; / the white clouds look up in contemplation. / Vast is the enlightened governor, / who revere and savors the fragrant breeze! / Longing to behold the remaining image, / he sought it upon the tiered walls. / Thereupon he constructed roofbeams and chambers, / to take this as the ancestral model of the Way. / Commending excellence and transmitting beauty, / broad as the earth and lofty as the mountains. / Tang dynasty, Dazhong era, eighth year [854 CE], seventh month, full moon day. Composed by Li Yan of Longxi. Erected by the monastic administrators and the assembly.