釋氏稽古略 4.208

4.208

蘇州（平江路也）瑞光寺禪師宗本。移住杭州淨慈。奔走天下禪子道場甚盛。靈芝照律師送布三衣（僧伽黎衣九條七條五條）瓦鉢。致書于師曰。佛制是物上中下根悉令遵奉。事因時舉。道藉人弘。勉其受持為後學勸。師受之終身。食用瓦鉢。陞座說法。服此大布之衣（照律師行業記）。

Chan Master Zongben of Ruiguang Temple in Suzhou (Pingjiang Route) moved to dwell at Jingci in Hangzhou. Chan practitioners from all under heaven hastened there, and the bodhimaṇḍa flourished exceedingly. Vinaya Master Zhao of Lingzhi sent the three robes of cloth (the saṃghāṭī robe, nine strips, seven strips, and five strips) and an earthenware bowl, delivering a letter to the master saying: 'The Buddha ordained these items so that those of superior, middling, and inferior faculties alike should comply with and honor them. Matters are initiated according to the time; the Way relies on humans to be propagated. Exert yourself to uphold them, to encourage later learners.' The master received them for the rest of his life: for food, he used an earthenware bowl; ascending the seat to preach the Dharma, he wore these robes of coarse cloth (Xingye ji of Vinaya Master Zhao).