佛祖統紀 46.42

46.42

An imperial decree appointed Chan Master Fadeng to dwell at Xiangyang. The prefect of Lumen subtly urged the monks of various mountains to gather gold and silks to go to the capital to hold a vegetarian feast for a thousand Daoists. The master said, 'Since I was a child with milk teeth, I have served the Buddha and am not mad; how could I use the offerings of donors from the ten directions to travel a thousand miles to flatter Daoists?' Ashamed, the prefect ceased, and the monasteries praised his courage upon hearing of it. As for Master of Baofan Zhaofu of Western Shu, Luzhi praised him, saying, 'He is a general or chancellor in robes of dyed cloth, versed in both literary and martial arts.' His successor, Master Yuanming Minxing, was praised by Zizhan, who said, 'He has read both internal and external teachings, thoroughly comprehending their meaning, and through illusory samādhi is the foremost leader of the region.' Master Fadeng served Yuanming as a father and Baofan as a grandfather; he came from a noble lineage! (According to the *Shimen wenzi chan*.) In the seventh month of the first year of the Chonghe reign era, an edict ordered the construction of Mount Longevity and the Genyue Garden. At that time there was a great drought, and Lin Lingsu prayed for rain without success. Cai Jing then began to report his treachery and falsehoods, but the Emperor did not listen. A quiet chamber in the Tongzhen Palace was always kept locked; Jing sent someone to investigate secretly and found yellow silk curtains, red lacquered armchairs, and tables. Jing reported all this to the throne and accompanied the imperial carriage to inspect it, but they saw only whitewashed walls and bright windows. Jing was terrified and awaited punishment.