佛祖統紀 9.9

9.9

Chan Master Dashan dwelt in the forests and wilds in his youth, constantly reciting the Lotus Sūtra. Later, visiting Nanyue, he opened his contemplative wisdom; personally practicing the Lotus Samādhi, his entry into it was the deepest. He frequently lectured on the Treatise [on the Great Prajñāpāramitā] in the mountains, commanding the admiration of the assembly. Grand Commander-in-Chief Wu Mingche asked Nanyue: "How many people possess true virtue in the meditation gates of the Lotus?" Nanyue replied: "Three thousand of firm faith, and four hundred of high karmic attainment. Sengzhao's attainment of concentration is the deepest, and Zhiyi's preaching of the Dharma is unhindered; the one who combines both is Dashan." Later, he passed away while sitting cross-legged in the meditation hall. Within seven days, flowers constantly rained from heaven, and extraordinary fragrance condensed. Chen Zhengye, Magistrate of Hengyang, hearing of the greatness of the Master's virtue and path, went frequently to pay respect; being shown the essentials of the Dharma, his heart rejoiced. Later, meeting Regional Director Zheng Senggao, he repeatedly praised the Master's virtue. Once, while hunting together, they surrounded a herd of deer. [Zheng] said to Zhengye: "You constantly praise Chan Master Shan as possessing the power of the samādhi of loving-kindness. Today, what can he do about these deer?" Zhengye then led his attendants to chant in unison: "Homage to Chan Master Dashan!" In that instant, the deer leaped through the air and escaped. Senggao was awestruck and won over. (When the five hundred wrestlers in the Nirvāṇa Sūtra could not lift the stone, the Buddha tossed it into empty space to quell the wrestlers' haughtiness. In reality, he did not lift the stone at that time; one should know that it was the power of the root of goodness of loving-kindness that caused this to be seen.)