佛祖統紀 9.11

9.11

Dhyāna Master Huichao was of the Shen family of Danyang. He entered the Way in his youth and chanted the Lotus [Sūtra]. Hearing that Dhyāna Master Si of Guangzhou brilliantly understood the threefold contemplation, he went together with Dhyāna Master Ming of Xiancheng on Tiantai to request instruction. Master Si praised him before the assembly, saying: 'Chao's spiritual storehouse is that of one who has attained forbearance.' Later, he entered Songgao, took herbal medicines, and sat in meditation. Yang Yong, the Crown Prince of the Sui, summoned renowned and virtuous [monks] to assemble in the capital. Because the master's practice was outstanding, he was detained alone to receive offerings. Dharma Master Jingye lived in seclusion in Langu; admiring the master's lofty Way, he went in person to invite and welcome him. They stayed together for eight years, greatly advancing in the three wisdoms. At the beginning of the Daye reign era, he was repeatedly summoned by imperial edict into the palace to preach the Dharma. Several tigers were always in the master's dwelling and were put to service. In his daily life he chanted sūtras; over fifty-odd years, he reached nearly ten thousand rolls. Renowned masters of the capital, such as Huiyin and Baogong, all came to his residence to seek instruction. Later, falling ill, he showed his disciples, saying: 'Not delighting in birth and not grieving at death are my ordinary state. The pure right contemplation of supreme emptiness is my support.' He then sat upright facing west and entered samādhi. His bequeathed instructions were to expose his remains beneath a pine tree to give as an offering to birds and beasts. His disciples followed his instructions. After more than a month, his facial complexion had not changed, and at night rosy rays of light emanated from his body. At that time, Prince Shimin of Qin (Emperor Taizong of the Tang) heard of this and sent someone thither to inspect it, sighing deeply at such a rare occurrence. The assembly then built a stupa and enshrined his intact body.