佛祖統紀 9.35

9.35

Dhyāna Master Lizong, surnamed Song, was a native of Kuaiji. At first, he studied under Changshou and thoroughly mastered meditation and contemplation. Shou said: 'A fine jade a foot in diameter cannot have its luster obscured by earth a thousand fathoms deep.' Later, he went to see the Master of Wisdom and studied the Dharma gate of the threefold contemplation, attaining great realization. He once wrote a commentary on the Nirvāṇa Sūtra, which was prized in his time. In the third year of Jinglong (under Emperor Zhongzong of Tang), Censor Feng Zhong suddenly died a violent death. Two youths led the censor to a court hearing; an official was reviewing the register of sins. He saw his deceased uncle Zhang Siyi, who said: 'You were not suited for the inner palace, where your disorderly transgressions led to this pursuit by the underworld. You may make a vow to produce the commentary on the Nirvāṇa Sūtra and cast a bell, so that your past faults may be dissolved. The commentary is the one composed by Dhyāna Master Lizong; this master personally received the transmission from the Master of Wisdom, and heavenly spirits constantly guard and protect him.' Zhong followed his uncle's admonition and was then released back. Failing to find the commentary, he was again summoned and reprimanded by the underworld. Zhong pleaded for three days to search for and copy it, whereupon they let him return. Searching with sincere intent, he indeed found the text, whereupon he hastened to arrange it, and later died of old age.