佛祖歷代通載 10.13

10.13

（三）　法師洪偃。雅為文帝所重。及齊使崔武子有專對才。朝廷憚之。帝以偃才學兩優命館伴武子。武子加嘆而歸。由是朝儀欲奪其志斂以冠巾。偃聞命即絕食以死自誓。帝以其確誠從之。時稱偃四絕。謂姿容德行文章草隷。臨終謂其徒曰。世人為貪心之所暗。貪己則惜落一毫。貪他則永無厭足。至於身死之後。高其墳重其槨。必謂九泉之下還結四隣一何可歎。今瞑目之後。以脯腊鄙形布施飛走。及卒弟子如其誡。有文集二十卷。詔藏祕閣。

(3) Dharma Master Hongyan was deeply respected by Emperor Wen [of the Northern Zhou]. When the Northern Qi envoy Cui Wuzi arrived, possessing great oratorical talent, the court feared him. Because Yan excelled in both talent and learning, the emperor ordered him to lodge with and accompany Wuzi. Wuzi was filled with admiration and returned home. Because of this, the court etiquette officials wished to change his calling and robe him in an official cap and sash. Upon hearing the order, Yan immediately fasted and vowed to die. Seeing his steadfast sincerity, the emperor consented to his wish. At the time, Yan was praised for the "Four Perfections," referring to his personal appearance, virtuous conduct, literary composition, and cursive-clerical calligraphy. On the verge of death, he said to his disciples: "Worldly people are blinded by greedy minds. Coveting for themselves, they begrudge losing even a single hair; coveting from others, they are never satisfied. When it comes to the time after the body dies, they raise high tombs and make thick coffins, fully believing that in the Yellow Springs they will still form neighborhoods with all four sides—how lamentable! Now, after my eyes close, take this vile form as dried meat to bestow as an offering to birds and beasts." When he passed away, his disciples acted according to his admonition. He had a literary collection in twenty rolls, which by imperial decree was deposited in the Secret Archives.