佛祖歷代通載 8.27

8.27

是歲文帝。詔求沙門能述生法師頓悟義者。刺史庾登之以釋法瑗聞召對顧問瑗伸辯詳明。何尚之歎曰。意謂生公之歿微言永絕。今復聞象外之談。所謂天未喪斯文也。未幾天保寺成。詔瑗主之。王景文至。值其講歎曰。所舉皆所未聞。所指皆出意表。真法中龍也。湘宮寺成。復移瑗居之。帝臨幸聽法。時以為榮。

In this year, Emperor Wen issued an edict seeking a śramaṇa capable of expounding Dharma Master Daosheng's doctrine of sudden enlightenment. The Regional Inspector Yu Dengzhi recommended the monk Fayuan to the Emperor. He was summoned for an audience and questioned, and Fayuan presented his arguments with detail and clarity. He Shangzhi sighed and said: “I thought that with the passing of Master Daosheng, the subtle words had ceased forever; now I hear once again discourse beyond worldly forms. This is truly what is called ‘Heaven has not yet destroyed this culture.’” Shortly thereafter, Tianbao Monastery was completed, and an edict appointed Fayuan to preside over it. When Wang Jingwen arrived and happened to attend his lecture, he sighed and said: “All that you cite has never been heard before; all that you point to exceeds expectations. You are truly a dragon among the Dharma!” When Xianggong Monastery was completed, Fayuan was again moved to reside there. The Emperor visited in person to listen to the Dharma, which was regarded as an honor at the time.