佛祖歷代通載 9.9

9.9

(6) In this year, an imperial edict summoned the recluse He Dian. Dian entered for an audience with the Emperor wearing a cloth cap and coarse clothes. The Emperor bestowed wine upon him and specially appointed him Attendant Gentleman (Shizhong). Dian moved forward on his mat, grasped the Emperor's beard, and said, "Do you really wish to make a minister out of the Old Master?" He firmly declined and did not accept. The Emperor again summoned He Yin. Yin said to the messenger, "I am fifty-seven years of age; every month I cannot even finish four dou of rice. How could I still have any ambition for officialdom?" The Emperor, knowing he could not be brought to court, issued an edict to grant him the stipend of a Director (Shangshu) in white robes. Yin strenuously declined. Later in life, he entered the Western Temple on Tiger Hill to lecture on the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra. When his end approached, he dreamed of more than sixty heavenly maidens arrayed before him; when he awoke, he still saw them as before. Thereupon he bathed completely, put on his cap and robes with dignity, and passed away shortly thereafter. From Sikong He Chong of the Jin dynasty down to Sikong He Shangzhi of the Song, the He family both established great righteousness and illuminated the Buddhadharma; this was upheld through successive generations down to Yin's nephew, the Attendant Gentleman He Jingrong, whereafter it ceased.