佛祖歷代通載 7.95

7.95

(Twenty-five) The Tripiṭaka Master Dharmakṣema of the Western Regions arrived at Guzang from Kucha. Juqu Mengxun, King of Liang, had long revered the Great Dharma. After Dharmakṣema had resided there for a long time, he thoroughly understood the Chinese language, and translated scriptures such as the *Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra* and the *Mahāsaṃnipāta-sūtra*, comprising over six hundred thousand words. Still considering the chapters of the *Nirvāṇa-sūtra* incomplete, he returned to the Western Regions to search for and obtain them. Upon reaching Liang, the translation was completed in forty-two fascicles, totaling ten thousand verses. Dharmakṣema performed quite a few divine marvels. At that time, Tuoba Gui ruled at Zhongshan; hearing of Dharmakṣema, he wished to pay homage to him and sent an envoy to invite him. Mengxun would not permit it. Tuoba Gui again dispatched Li Shun, Duke of Gaoping, conferring on Mengxun the title of King of Liang, granting him the Nine Bestowals, and instructing him, saying: “Dharmakṣema's moral virtue is vast and great; We wish to receive him in audience. You may send him by express courier.” Mengxun said: “I have served the court without failing in any respect. Formerly, I memorialized asking to retain Dharmakṣema, yet now you pursue him again. He is my master. If I die, so be it; but if you wish him to go, it is not possible.” Li Shun said: “The court admired the king's loyalty and righteousness, and therefore expressly bestowed special honours upon you. Now you would ruin great merit on account of a single monk, unable to bear a morning's anger and uttering improper words, failing the court's hospitable intentions. I earnestly deem that the Great King should not do this.” Mengxun said: “Your words are indeed fine, sir, but I fear that the reality does not match them.” In the end, Mengxun did not send Dharmakṣema. Thereupon, Tuoba Gui harbored resentment. A certain Daojin sought to receive the bodhisattva precepts from Dharmakṣema. Dharmakṣema said: “You must repent for seven days, but it is not yet time.” Later, when Daojin came to Dharmakṣema, Dharmakṣema suddenly became angry. Daojin said: “This is a past hindrance.” He then practiced diligently for three years, and in a dream, Śākyamuni Bhagavān was moved to bestow the precept methods upon him. That night, over ten other people had the same dream as what Daojin had seen. Thereupon, he went again to Dharmakṣema. Seeing him from afar, Dharmakṣema rejoiced greatly and said: “Excellent! You have already obtained the precepts through resonance. I will now bear witness for you.” When Dharmakṣema resolutely took his leave to return west, Mengxun was angry at his departure and secretly dispatched trusted retainers to assassinate him on the way. Earlier, on the day Dharmakṣema departed the pass, he said to those seeing him off: “The time of my karma has arrived. Even supreme sages cannot escape it. It is not that I cherish life and stubbornly wish to distance myself from you.” Before long, Mengxun felt remorse in his heart; in broad daylight, he saw a ghost stab him with a sword, and died. His state was annexed by Wei.