釋氏稽古略 2

English (machine translation) 2

Language: English

2.1

Compiled and re-edited by the bhikṣu Shi Jue'an Baozhou of Baoxiang [Temple], Zhili, Wucheng.

2.2

Eastern Jin (Sima clan, capital at Jiankang)

2.3

Emperor Yuan
Emperor Ming
Emperor Cheng
Emperor Kang
Emperor Mu
Emperor Ai
Duke of Haixi
Emperor Jianwen
Emperor Wu
Emperor An
Emperor Gong

His taboo name was Rui. He was the son of Sima Jin, Prince of Langya, and a great-grandson of Emperor Xuan. At age fifteen, he inherited the enfeoffment as Prince of Langya. In the first year of Yongjia of Emperor Huai, he became General Who Pacifies the East, garrisoning Jianye. In the fourth year of Jianxing of Emperor Min, Chang'an could not be held, and Emperor Min was forced into exile. The Prince then mobilized his troops for a northern expedition. In the second month of the dingchou year, he assumed the throne as Prince of Jin at Jiankang. For the first time, he appointed the full array of civil and military officials, erected the ancestral temple, and established the state altars. He proclaimed a general amnesty and changed the reign era to Jianwu. In the twelfth month, Emperor Min was murdered. In the third month of the wuyin year, the ill tidings reached Jiankang. The Prince donned the untrimmed sackcloth mourning garb and dwelled in a mourning hut. Soon afterwards, he ascended the imperial throne, proclaimed a general amnesty, and changed the reign era to Daxing. He established the Prince's heir apparent Shao as Crown Prince. At this time, following a period of mourning and turmoil, the Jiangdong region was newly founded. Diao Xie had long served at the central court and was thoroughly versed in old precedents; He Xun was a paragon of Confucian scholars of his age and was well versed in rites and music. Whenever there were doubtful matters, decisions were sought from them. The Emperor reigned for six years, dying at forty-seven years of age.

2.6

The Emperor built the two monasteries of Waguan and Longxing in Jiankang, gathering a thousand monks from Danyang and Jianye (Hongming ji). Reign eras: Jianwu (1 year), Taixing (4 years), Yongchang (1 year).

2.7

Liu Cong, ruler of Han, passed away in this wuyin year. Crown Prince Can took the throne and was killed by Jin Zhun. Chancellor Liu Yao ascended the imperial throne, styling the reign era Guangchu. He returned the capital to Chang'an and changed the dynastic title to Zhao. Shi Le's noble rank was elevated to Prince of Zhao (Chronicles of Liu Cong).

2.8

Mayūri Sūtra (Peacock Sūtra): The Venerable Śrīmitra (meaning "Auspicious Friend" in Chinese) from India relinquished his royal throne to leave the household life (like Taibo of Wu). During the Yongjia era of Emperor Huai of the Western Jin, he arrived in China. By this time, he reached Jiankang and stayed at Jianchu Monastery. Chancellor Wang Dao saw him and said, "He is a man of our kind." Grand Defender Yu Liang, Master of Splendid Happiness Zhou Yi, and Minister of Justice Huan Yi—all eminent men of the era—called upon his threshold to form friendships with him, and his renown spread widely among the gentry. He was skilled at preaching the essentials of the Dharma, and the people of the day called him the "High Seat Dharma Master." Furthermore, he excelled at incantations, recitations, and the chanting of hymns (fanbai), his clear resonance rising above the clouds. He translated various sūtras, such as the Peacock Sūtra (Original Biography).

2.9

Suzong, Emperor Ming

2.10

Shao was the eldest son of Emperor Yuan. He was intelligent and wise from his youth. When he was a few years old, an envoy happened to arrive from Chang'an, and the emperor thereupon asked him, "Which do you say is closer, the sun or Chang'an?" He replied, "Chang'an is closer. I have only heard of people coming from Chang'an, not of anyone coming from beside the sun." Emperor Yuan marveled at this. The next day, feasting his various officials, he asked him again, and he replied, "The sun is closer." Emperor Yuan changed countenance and said, "Why is this different from what you said the other day?" He replied, "When I raise my eyes I immediately see the sun, but I do not see Chang'an." On account of this, [the emperor] marveled at him all the more and installed him as crown prince. By nature he was exceedingly filial and possessed literary and military talent and strategy. He honored the worthy, loved guests, and had an elegant fondness for literary composition. The famous ministers of that time, from Wang Dao, Yu Liang, Wen Qiao, Huan Yi, Ruan Fang, and others, were all treated with intimacy by him. He practiced martial arts and was good at caring for his generals and soldiers. At that time, the Eastern Palace was filled with talent, and those near and far set their hearts on him. In the spring of the first year of the Yongchang era (322 CE), in the first month, Wang Dun submitted a memorial from Wuchang enumerating the crimes of Diao Xie and Liu Wei. Emperor Yuan urged Xie and Wei to avoid the disaster. As Xie traveled, he was killed by others, who sent his head to Dun. Wei fled to Shi's Later Zhao, where his rank reached grand tutor to the crown prince before he died. Dun advanced his troops and occupied Shitou. Emperor Yuan made Dun chancellor. Dun plotted to depose the crown prince but did not succeed; he then did not have an audience with the Son of Heaven and returned to Wuchang. In the eleventh month, Emperor Yuan fell ill from anxiety and indignation and died. The crown prince ascended the throne and changed the reign era to Taining. In the third month [of Taining 2], Wang Dun plotted to usurp the throne and again raised troops. The emperor sent an army out to punish Dun. In the fifth month of the second year (324 CE), Dun became gravely ill. Wang Han was defeated in battle, and Dun soon died. Dun's faction kept the mourning secret and did not announce it, wrapping the corpse with a mat, coating the outside with wax, and burying it in the hall of the Jiangning government office. Once Dun's faction was pacified, the authorities excavated Dun's burial, took out the corpse, burned its robes and caps, knelt it up, and decapitated it. The emperor was on the throne for three years and lived to the age of twenty-seven. The emperor venerated vegetarian fasts and generated merit, building two monasteries: the Huangxing and the Daochang (Yichu liutie). Taining: three [years].

2.11

The śramaṇa Zhu Facheng possessed transcendent divine comprehension and a deep insight surpassing other men. He studied under Dharmarakṣa, who greatly praised him. Later he went to Dunhuang, established a monastery, and invited his fellow students. That the Great Transformation flourished in the west was through Cheng's effort (Gaoseng zhuan).

2.12

The Twenty-Fifth Patriarch, the Venerable Bāśiasita: He was a native of the country of Kashmir. His family was of the brāhmaṇa caste; his father was Jixing ("Tranquil Conduct"), and his mother was Chang'anle ("Constant Ease and Joy"). At the age of crowning he left home under the Venerable Siṃha, received full ordination, and, having attained the Dharma, wished to go to southern India. When he first reached the country of Central India, its king, named Jiāsheng, welcomed him with courtesy. At that time, an extraordinary fragrance suddenly appeared in the king's palace. The Venerable One solemnly said, "My teacher has passed away." He then faced north and paid homage, and soon took leave of the king. The king said, "Venerable One, stay a little while and allow me to ask a question: in this park there is a spring so hot that one cannot touch it; I wish that you would determine the cause for me." The Patriarch said, "This is a hot spring; it is brought about by three conditions: the first is the karma of spirits, the second is the karma of ghosts, and the third is hot stone. As for hot stone, its color is like gold and its nature is constantly flaming; therefore the spring it issues is like boiling water. As for the karma of ghosts, it means that a ghost, having just left the place of punishment, wanders among men and, by the force of its remaining karma, boils this spring to repay its former debts. As for the karma of spirits, it means that a spirit did not keep to its proper way and falsely caused misfortune and good fortune to obtain sacrificial offerings; its evil karma having become fully laden, the punishments of the unseen realm put it to labor and also cause it to boil this spring to repay the illicit offerings." The king said, "May the Venerable One examine it among these three conditions: by which of these was this in fact brought about?" The Venerable One said, "This was brought about by the karma of a spirit." He then ordered incense to be burned overlooking the water and performed repentance for it. Shortly, a tall man appeared by the water, came forward, bowed to the Venerable One, and said, "Having a small amount of blessing, I was able to meet the Venerable One; I am now to be born among humans, so I have only come to bid farewell." Having spoken, he then disappeared. Seven days later, the water was indeed pure and cool like an ordinary spring. The Venerable One took leave of the king, and the king personally arrayed his imperial guards to escort him. When he reached southern India, its king, named Tiande ("Heavenly Virtue"), welcomed him with homage. The king had two sons: the first was named Desheng ("Virtue-Victor"), and the second was named Punyamitra. Later, Desheng succeeded to the throne; believing in and turning toward the non-Buddhists, he brought trouble upon the Patriarch. He hastily asked the Patriarch, "I have heard that the bhikṣu Siṃha did not escape execution; how could he transmit the Dharma?" The Patriarch said, "Before the trouble arose for my teacher, he conferred upon me the robe of trust and the Dharma verse to manifest the teacher's succession." The king said, "Where is that robe?" The Patriarch reached into his bag, produced the robe, and showed it to the king. The king ordered it to be burned, but the five colors shone brightly, and when the firewood was reduced to ashes, it remained as before. The king then paid respectful homage, saying, "A true heir of Siṃha!" The king's younger brother Punyamitra then sought to leave home; he attended upon the Patriarch for six years and received full ordination in the royal palace. At the time of the karmavācanā, the great earth shook. The Patriarch instructed him, saying, "I am already decrepit; how could I remain long? You must properly protect the treasury of the true Dharma eye and universally deliver all beings. Listen to my verse: 'The sage speaks of knowledge and views, / In confronting circumstances, none is not so. / Now I have awakened to the true nature: / There is neither way nor principle.'" Having heard the verse, Punyamitra addressed the Patriarch, saying, "Should the Dharma robe be handed down?" The Patriarch said, "This robe was borrowed as proof because of the trouble. There is no trouble for your person; why borrow the robe? When your transformation covers the ten directions, people will naturally believe and turn toward you." The Patriarch then manifested divine transformations, manifested the fire of samādhi, and burned his own body. On the level ground, the relics were about one foot high. King Desheng erected a stūpa and enshrined them. This was during the era of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Jin (Zhengzong ji).

2.13

Emperor Cheng, Xianzong

2.14

Yan was the eldest son of Emperor Ming. In the eighth month of the third year of the Taining era (325 CE), he ascended the imperial throne at the age of five. Empress Dowager Yu held court [as regent]. In the second year of the Xianhe era (327 CE), Su Jun, General of the Champion Army, refused imperial orders and plotted rebellion. In the fourth month of the third year, Su Jun abducted the emperor and took him to Shitou. The palaces and halls in the capital were all reduced to ashes; only the Buddha image painted by Emperor Ming's own hand on the wall of the Taining Hall remained towering and undamaged. Everyone sighed in admiration, praising its divine wonder. Tao Kan and Wen Qiao attacked Shitou; Jun fell from his horse during battle, and they cut off his head, sliced his flesh into pieces, and burned his bones. Jun's remaining followers set up Jun's younger brother Yi as king, closed the gates, and defended themselves. In the second month of the fourth year, the various armies attacked Shitou; Teng Han, Chief Clerk of Jianwei, struck Su Yi and routed him completely. The Western Army captured Yi and beheaded him. Cao Ju, a subordinate general of Teng Han, embraced the emperor and ran to Wen Qiao's boat. The assembled ministers wept loudly upon seeing the emperor and asked for punishment. At this time the palace halls were in ashes, so the Jianping Garden was used as the palace. Wen Qiao wished to move the capital to Yuzhang; the magnates of the Sanwu region wished to move it to Kuaiji. The two arguments were tangled and unresolved. Minister of Works Wang Dao discussed the matter, and the capital was not moved again. On the first day, gengwu, of the first month of the first year of the Xiankang era (335 CE), the emperor took the cap of adulthood, granted a general amnesty, and changed the reign era. In the fifth month of the eighth year, the emperor was indisposed. The emperor's two sons, Pi and Yi, were both in swaddling clothes. The director of the Palace Secretariat Yu Bing, considering that he and his brothers had held power for a long time and fearing that an interregnum would arise if the generation changed, repeatedly persuaded the emperor that since the state faced strong enemies it was fitting to have an older monarch, requesting that his younger brother of the same mother, Yue, the Prince of Langya, be made heir. The emperor granted it. In the sixth month, the emperor died at the age of twenty-two, having been on the throne for seventeen years.

2.15

The emperor built two monasteries, the Zhongxing and the Luyuan, and gathered one thousand scriptural translation and doctrinal study monks (Liutie). Xianhe: nine [years]; Xiankang: eight [years].

2.16

Feilai Peak: In this year, Dharma Master Huili of the country of Western India came to travel in China. Reaching Hangzhou in Western Zhejiang, he saw the cliffs of the mountain were beautiful and elegant, and said, "This is a small peak of the Vulture Peak (Gṛdhrakūṭa) of Central India in my country. I do not know in what year it flew here. When the Buddha was in the world, it was mostly where transcendent spirits dwelt in hiding; could it be like that again now here?" There was a cave that formerly had a white ape, so he called out to it; the white ape came out in response to his voice. Only then did people believe it had "flown here," and from this it gained its name. The master immediately built two monasteries on the spot: first Lingjiu ("Vulture Peak"), and later Lingyin ("Spiritual Concealment"). The cliff where the master sat in meditation is called Master Li's Cliff; his funerary stūpa exists there today (monastery records and stone inscriptions).

2.17

Han Zhao

2.18

Han-Zhao
Liu Yuan of the Han had the courtesy name Yuanhai. He was a Xiongnu from Xinxing. Because the Han dynasty had given a princess of the imperial house in marriage to Modun, his descendants took the surname Liu. In the jiazi year, the first year of Yongxing under Emperor Hui of the Western Jin, Prince of Chengdu Sima Ying was made Crown Brother. Ying submitted a memorial appointing the Xiongnu Wise King of the Left, Liu Yuan, as Champion General, overseeing the military affairs of the Five Divisions, and commanding troops stationed in Ye (now Zhangde Route; the commandery name is Ye Commandery, in the territory of Ji). Yuan's son Cong was exceptionally brave and fierce, broadly versed in the classics and histories, skilled in composition, and able to draw a bow of three hundred catties. In his youth he visited the capital, where none of the famous scholars failed to associate with him. Ying made Cong General of the Massed Crossbows. Yuan's great-uncle, the Wise King of the Right Liu Xuan, said to his kinsmen: "Since the fall of the Han, our Chanyu has possessed only an empty title, without a single foot of land remaining. Although our forces have declined today, they are still no fewer than twenty thousand. Why fold our hands and submit to servitude for over a hundred years? The Wise King of the Left possesses heroic martial prowess surpassing all ages. If Heaven did not intend to raise up the Xiongnu, it certainly would not have brought forth such a man in vain. Now the Sima clan are slaughtering their own flesh and blood, and all within the four seas is seething like a cauldron. This is the moment to restore the achievements of Huhanye!" Thereupon they plotted together to elevate Yuan as the Grand Chanyu, sending his partisan Huyan You to Ye to inform Yuan. Yuan reported to Ying, asking permission to return for a funeral, but Ying refused. When Wang Jun and Duke Teng of Dongying campaigned against Ying, Yuan persuaded Ying, saying: "Pray let me return to persuade the Five Divisions on behalf of Your Highness to rush to the aid of the state in its crisis." Ying was pleased and appointed Yuan as Northern Chanyu, concurrently participating in the Chancellor's military affairs. When Yuan reached Zuoguocheng, Liu Xuan and others presented him with the title of Grand Chanyu. Within two decades of days, he had an army of fifty thousand. Yuan made Zuoguocheng his capital and addressed his ministers, saying: "In the past, the Han held all under Heaven, and its grace was bound to the people. I am a nephew of the Han clan." He thereupon established the dynastic name Han and assumed the throne as King of Han, naming the era Yuanxi, appointing the Wise King of the Right Xuan as Chancellor. In the second year of Yongjia under Emperor Huai of Jin, King Yuan of Han took Shanxi. Song Chou, the governor of Pingyang (now Jinning Route, the ancient Jin Prefecture), abandoned the commandery and fled. Yuan moved his capital to Puzi and Shang Commandery in Pingyang and ascended the imperial throne, changing the reign era to Yongfeng. In the seventh month of the fourth year of Yongjia of the Jin, Yuan took to his bed with illness. He appointed Prince of Chu Cong as Grand Marshal and Grand Chanyu; Prince of Anchang Sheng, Prince of An'yi Qin, and Prince of Xiyang Jun were all appointed Generals of the Martial Guard, dividing command of the imperial guards. Yuan died, and Crown Prince He ascended the imperial throne. Rui, Prince of Xichang, felt disgraced at not being included in the posthumous edict; he plotted together with others and persuaded He, saying: "The late Emperor did not consider the balance of power, allowing the three princes to command strong armies within, while the Grand Marshal commands a host of one hundred thousand encamped in the new suburbs. Your Majesty should devise a plan against them early." He summoned Sheng and informed him of this. Sheng said: "Your Majesty believes the words of slanderers and suspects your brothers." Rui was enraged and ordered his attendants to put Sheng to the sword. He then led troops to attack Cong, the Prince of Chu, at the Chanyu Terrace (now Xijing Route, namely Datong Route; the commandery name is Yunzhong, where Emperor Gao of Han was besieged at Baideng; in the territory of Ji). Cong counterattacked at the Ximing Gate, conquered it, killed He in the Western Hall of Guangji, and captured Rui, exposing his severed head in the thoroughfare. Cong ascended the imperial throne, changing the reign era to Guangxing. He made Prince of Beihai Ai the Crown Brother, enfeoffed his son Can as Prince of Henan, and appointed Shi Le as Inspector of Bing Prefecture (Taiyuan; now changed to Jining Route). In the xinwei year, the first year of Jiaping of the Han, Cong sent Grand General of the Vanguard Huyan Yan, Prince of Shi'an Liu Yao, Wang Mi, and Shi Le to attack Luoyang; they took the Xuanyang Gate. Emperor Huai of Jin came forth intending to flee to Chang'an, but the Han soldiers pursued and captured him, moving the emperor and the six imperial seals to Pingyang. Cong appointed the emperor as Specially Advanced Left Guanglu Grandee and enfeoffed him as Duke of Ping'a. In the renshen year, the second year of Jiaping of Cong, he enfeoffed Emperor Huai as Duke of Kuaiji Commandery. In the second month of the following year, Emperor Huai was murdered. In the fourth month, the mournful news of Emperor Huai reached Chang'an, and Emperor Min of Jin ascended the throne, changing the reign era to Jianxing. In the ninth month of the fourth year of Jianxing, Han's Grand Marshal Liu Yao attacked Chang'an. In the eleventh month, the Jin emperor said that he must bear the humiliation and surrender in order to spare the lives of the soldiers and people. Yao sent the Jin emperor to Pingyang. Han ruler Cong appointed the Jin emperor as Guanglu Grandee and enfeoffed him as Marquis of Huai'an. In the twelfth month of the dingchou year, Emperor Min was murdered. In the wuyin year, Han ruler Cong died. Crown Prince Can ascended the throne and was killed by Jin Feng. Chancellor Liu Yao ascended the imperial throne; the era was named Guangchu. He moved the capital back to Chang'an and changed the dynastic name to Zhao, taking the Chanyu as his ancestor. Shi Le was promoted in noble rank to Prince of Zhao. By the third year of Xianhe under Emperor Cheng of the Eastern Jin, Yao, the ruler of Zhao, besieged Luoyang. In the eleventh month, Shi Le led troops to relieve Luoyang, and in the battle he captured Yao, the King of Zhao, carried him in a horse cart to Xiangguo, and killed him. In the first month of the jichou year, Zhao's Crown Prince Xi heard that Yao had been captured and led the hundred officials to flee to Shanggui (pronounced gui; Jiaxi Gongchang Route, the ancient Gui garrison post). Guanzhong was in great turmoil. Generals Jiang Ying and Xin Shu held Chang'an and sent an envoy to surrender to Shi Le. In the ninth month, Duke of Zhongshan Shi Hu of Later Zhao heavily defeated the Zhao troops at Yiqu; pursuing the victory, he captured Zhao Crown Prince Liu Xi and more than three thousand of his generals, princes, ministers, and officers, putting them all to death. Qin and Long were completely pacified. The Liu clan of Han-Zhao arose from the jiazi year of Daxing under Emperor Hui of Jin and ended in the jichou year of Xianhe under Emperor Cheng, lasting twenty-six years.

2.19

"Admonition on Learning"
晉 Chancellor Wang Dao employed Li Chong as an assistant officer to the Chancellor. Because contemporary customs revered superficiality and vacuity, Chong wrote the "Admonition on Learning." He took the view that Laozi said: "Banish humaneness and discard righteousness, and the people will return to filial piety and maternal love." But could it be that filial piety and maternal love arise only after the way of humaneness and righteousness is abandoned? It was rather that he was troubled by the scarcity of those who genuinely embrace humaneness and righteousness and the abundance of those who seek profit through humaneness and righteousness; he intended to lodge his reproof with the sages and cast off the entanglements of obsolete conventions. In general, those who see the forms are many, while those who attain the Way are few. The more earnestly they chase after the traces, the farther they depart from the root. Therefore, he composed the "Admonition on Learning" to dispel their blindness, saying: "Where reputation is made manifest, the Way falls into ruin. Thus diminish what is promoted, and honor what is neglected. Without humaneness, there is nothing by which to nurture living things; without righteousness, there is nothing by which to regulate shame. Humaneness and righteousness indeed cannot be abandoned; one must simply remove that which harms humaneness and righteousness" (Book of Jin, Biography of Li Chong).

2.20

Yan Han, Minister of the Household of the Jin, resigned his office on account of old age and lived in retirement for over twenty years. In the tenth month of this year, he died at the age of ninety-three. Guo Pu once visited Han and wished to perform a divination for him. Han said: "Years are with Heaven, while position rests with men. To cultivate oneself while Heaven does not grant [success] is destiny; to hold fast to the Way while men do not recognize it is human nature. Since I possess my own nature and destiny, there is no need to trouble the venerable tortoise shell."

2.21

Wang Dao, Chancellor of the Jin, passed away. Dao had a younger brother named Daobao, who renounced worldly glory to become a monk and became distinguished for his learning and conduct (Biographies of Eminent Monks).

2.22

Emperor Kang

2.23

Yue, younger brother of Emperor Cheng by the same mother, ascended the imperial throne from his position as Prince of Langya. He reigned for two years and died at the age of twenty-three. During his period of mourning he did not speak, entrusting the government to Yu Bing. He enfeoffed Emperor Cheng's sons Cheng as Prince of Langya, and Pi and Yi as Princes of Donghai. Era: Jianyuan (2).

2.24

Xiaozong, Emperor Mu

2.25

Dan, Crown Prince of Emperor Kang, ascended the throne at the age of two. Empress Dowager Chu held court behind the curtain, and both within and without there was tranquility. On the first day of the first month of the first year of Shengping, the Emperor underwent the capping ceremony, and the Empress Dowager returned the government to him. He lived nineteen years. Eras: Yonghe (12), Shengping (5).

2.26

Great Cheng Changed to Han
Li Te was a man of Baxi who in his youth served the Jin. In the second year of Tai'an under Emperor Hui of the Western Jin, he occupied Yi Prefecture (Sichuan West Circuit, Chengdu Route; in the territory of Liang Prefecture, the commandery named Jincheng), calling his state Cheng and naming the era Jianchu. After Te died, his son Xiong succeeded him. In the tenth month of the first year of Yongxing under Emperor Hui of Jin, Xiong assumed the throne of Prince of Chengdu and changed the reign era to Jianxing. He appointed his uncle Xiang as Grand Tutor and posthumously honored his father Te as King Jing of Chengdu. In the first year of Guangxi under Emperor Hui of Jin, Xiong, Prince of Chengdu, ascended the imperial throne, naming the era Yanping, calling the state Great Cheng, and honoring Te as Emperor Jing. In the ninth year of Xianhe under Emperor Cheng of the Eastern Jin, Xiong died. Crown Prince Ban ascended the throne. His younger brother, Li Qi, General Who Pacifies the East, plotted rebellion and, while Ban was mourning at night, assassinated him in the mortuary hall. Qi ascended the imperial throne, posthumously titling Xiong as Martial Emperor with the temple name Taizong. In the first year of Xiankang under Emperor Cheng of Jin, Qi, Duke of You, changed the era name to Yuheng and changed the state title to Han. In the fourth year of Xiankang of the Jin, Li Shou, Emperor Zhongmuwen of Han, killed Qi and set himself up, changing the reign era to Hanxing. In the seventh year of Xiankang of the Jin, Shou, ruler of Han, appointed his son Shi to oversee the Grand General and manage the affairs of the Masters of Writing. In the second year of Jianyuan under Emperor Kang of Jin, Li Shi was enthroned, and the era was named Taihe. By the second year of Yonghe of the Jin, the Han era was Jianing. In the eleventh month, Huan Wen, General Who Pacifies the West of Jin, attacked Han. In the third month of the third year of Yonghe of the Jin, Wen's troops reached Chengdu and set fire to its city gates. The people of Han were terrified and had no further will to fight. Shi presented himself at the gates of the army camps as Li Shi of Luoyang to surrender. Wen sent Shi and more than ten members of his imperial clan to Jiankang, where he was enfeoffed as Marquis Who Returned to Righteousness; the state was destroyed. Cheng arose in the guihai year, the second year of Tai'an under Emperor Hui of the Western Jin, and ended in the dingwei year, the third year of Yonghe under Emperor Mu of the Eastern Jin, spanning five rulers and a total of forty-five years.

2.27

The Monk Fotudeng
He was a man of India. In the fourth year of Yongjia under Emperor Huai of the Western Jin, he reached Luoyang. He said of himself that he was over a hundred years old. He nourished himself by consuming qi, going without food for days on end. He was skilled in chanting dhāraṇīs and commanding ghosts and spirits. In his side there was a hole stopped with cotton; at night he would pull out the cotton, and light would shine forth to illuminate him. Whenever he came to a stream, he would pull out his intestines and stomach from the hole, wash them clean, and return them into his abdomen. Meeting with the turmoil and rebellion in Luoyang, he lay hidden in the wild countryside. At that time, Shi Le was garrisoned at Gebei and engaged in much slaughter. Deng took his tin staff and went to see Le. Le ordered that he be tested with his arts of the Way. Deng took a bowl full of water and incanted over it; in an instant, a blue lotus flower grew in the bowl. Le revered him as divine and invited him into his army. In the third year of Xianhe under Emperor Cheng of the Eastern Jin, Liu Yao besieged Luoyang. Le went in person to relieve it and consulted Deng. Deng said: "Though there is no wind at the Buddhist pagoda, a single bell tolls on its own, saying: 'Xiuzhiti ligang pugugu tudang.' This is Jie language: 'When the army goes out, it will capture Liu Yao.'" Le went to battle and indeed captured Yao, transporting him to Xiangguo. In the fifth year of Xianhe, Le assumed the title Heavenly King of Great Zhao, exercising imperial affairs. He served Deng with ever deeper devotion and reverence, calling him the Great Monk. When Le's beloved son Bin died of illness and was about to be encoffined, Le sighed: "I have heard that when the Crown Prince of Guo died, Bian Que was able to revive him. Can such an effect be achieved today?" He then ordered that Deng be informed. Deng took a willow branch, dipped it in water, and sprinkled it; taking Bin's hand, he said: "You may rise!" Bin revived and thereupon arose. From then on, many of Le's sons were raised in Deng's monastery. In the seventh month of the eighth year of Xianhe of the Jin, Le died. His younger brother Hu, courtesy name Jilong, inherited the throne and moved the capital to Ye (now Zhangde Route, in the territory of Ji Prefecture). He served Deng with even greater devotion. By the fourth year of Yonghe of the Jin, Deng was about to pass away. He went to take leave of Jilong, who was startled and said: "Is the Great Monk suddenly abandoning me because our state is in danger?" Deng said: "Entering into life and departing into death is the constant law of the Way. Length and brevity of life are determined by destiny and cannot be increased or diminished. But what is noble in the Way is that one's conduct be complete, and what is noble in virtue is that one never slackens. If one's Way and virtue are without blemish, though dead, one is as if alive; if they are absent, what benefit would there be even in a thousand years? Yet what is regrettable is that, although the state sets its heart on the Buddha's principle and should receive blessings and fortune by building monasteries and ordaining monks, its administration is fierce and cruel, its rewards and punishments are erratic and excessive, distinctly violating the sacred scriptures, thereby causing the state's mandate not to endure." Jilong wept aloud and choked with sobs. On the eighth day of the twelfth month, Deng passed away sitting in peace. His lifespan was one hundred and seventy years, having lived in the Way for one hundred and nine years. He ordained more than seven thousand disciples, including Dharma Master Dao'an and others. From the time the Great Teaching came eastward, it flourished most brilliantly with Deng (Biographies of Monks).

2.28

Later Zhao

2.29

Shi Le was a native of Shangdang (now Shangdang Commandery in Lu Prefecture of Jinning Circuit, in the territory of Ji Prefecture). Initially, with eight horsemen, he submitted to the Han of the Liu clan. In the fourth year of the Yongjia era under Emperor Huai of Western Jin, the Han sovereign Liu Cong ascended the imperial throne and appointed Shi Le as the inspector of Bing Prefecture (Bing Prefecture is Taiyuan; now called Jining Circuit, in the territory of Ji Prefecture). Le killed the Han general Wang Mi; Cong was furious, yet still appointed Le as General-in-Chief Pacifying the East. In the first year of the Daxing era under Emperor Yuan of Eastern Jin, the Han sovereign Cong died. The Chancellor Liu Yao ascended the imperial throne and advanced Le's noble title to King of Zhao. In the second year of Daxing, Le occupied Yan and Ji, claimed Xiangguo, and inaugurated his first year. In the third year of the Xianhe era under Emperor Cheng of Jin, Le styled his era Taihe. The ruler of Zhao, Liu Yao, besieged and guarded Luoyang. In the eleventh month, Le went to relieve Luoyang; Yao was captured by Le's general Shi Kan, carried in a cart to Xiangguo, and executed. In the fifth year of the Xianhe era of Jin, Le declared himself Heavenly King of the Great Zhao, acting as emperor. In the ninth month, he ascended the imperial throne and changed the reign era to Jianping. In the fourth month of the second year of Jianping, Le went to Ye to build a new camp. In the seventh month of the fourth year of Jianping, Le died. The crown prince Shi Hong ascended the throne; this was King Haiyang, who changed the reign era to Yanxi. At night, Le's remains were secretly buried in a mountain valley so that no one knew the place, while an empty burial with full ceremonial guards was held at Gaoping Mausoleum. He was given the posthumous title Emperor Ming and the temple name Gaozu. In the eighth month, the Zhao ruler Hong granted King of Zhongshan Shi Hu the chancellor's post, the title King of Wei, and the Nine Bestowals, placing him in overall charge of all government affairs. Hong reigned for one year. In the ninth month of the following year, Shi Hu, King of Wei of Zhao, took the throne, changed the reign era to Jianwu, and established his capital at Ye. Coming to the fifth year of the Yonghe era of the Jin emperor, in the first month the Zhao sovereign Hu changed the reign era to Taining; soon afterward he died of illness. The crown prince Shi Shi (Hu's youngest son) ascended the throne. Shi Zun, King of Pengcheng (Hu's eldest son), deposed Shi to King of Qiao and shortly thereafter murdered him. Zun took the throne; he appointed Shi Jian, King of Yiyang, as palace attendant, and Shi Min, Duke of Wuxing, as commander-in-chief of all military affairs within and outside the capital. Earlier, the Zhao sovereign Zun had promised to make Shi Min, Duke of Wuxing, his crown prince. In the tenth month, Zun established his crown prince Yan; Min harbored all the more resentment and grievance. In the eleventh month, Min led armored warriors, seized Zun at the Southern Terrace, and killed him. He enthroned Shi Jian, King of Yiyang, appointed himself General-in-Chief, and was enfeoffed as King of Wude. In the first month of the sixth year of the Yonghe era of Jin, Ran Min, King of Wude, ascended the imperial throne, changed the reign era to Yongxing, and named the state Great Wei. The Later Zhao began in the second year of Daxing under Emperor Yuan of Eastern Jin, the yimao year, and ended in the seventh year of Yonghe under Emperor Mu, the xinhai year, spanning six rulers and thirty-three years in total (Records of Shi Le).

2.30

Min was a native of Neihuang County in Hua Prefecture of Daming Circuit. His original surname was Ran. The Zhao ruler Le had captured him and commanded his brother Hu to adopt and raise him as a son; Min now reverted to the surname Ran. In the third month of the gengxu year, Shi Zhi of Later Zhao, hearing that Ran Min had usurped the throne at Ye, ascended the imperial throne at Xiangguo and changed the reign era to Yongning. In the tenth month, Ran Min attacked Xiangguo. In the following year, xinhai, Shi Zhi's general Liu Xian murdered Zhi, set himself up, and declared himself emperor. In the renzi year, Ran Min attacked and killed Liu Xian. Min reigned for three years. Murong Jun of Former Yan advanced troops, attacked Min, captured him, and extinguished the state. Ran-Wei is not included among the Sixteen States that held territory (Records of Ran Min).

2.31

In the second month, a golden Buddha statue appeared in Jing Prefecture. Huan Wen, the Minister of War, went to receive it, but it would not budge. At that time Teng Jun of Jiangling donated his residence to be a monastery and invited Dharma Master Tanyi to preside over it. Yi led the community in bowing and supplicating, and then lifted it with his hands; it rose lightly, floating, and was enshrined in his monastery (Biographies of Resonances and Illustrated Gazettes).

2.32

Friendships Beyond the Worldly: Dharma Master Zhi Dun, styled Daolin, was accomplished and refined in the Prajñā teachings. At that time Xie An, the Grand Tutor, and Wang Xizhi, the General of the Right Army, were very close to him. While governing Wuxing, Xie An wrote daily letters to Dun, roughly saying: 'My longing for you has accumulated daily, and recently it has become even more acute. Learning that you wish to return to Shan to attend to your own practice leaves me deeply saddened. Human life is merely a transient sojourn. Lately, all elegant and joyful pursuits have practically worn away to nothing. I only pass the whole day sorrowfully waiting for you to come once, so that in conversation we may dispel our melancholy; a single day seems like a thousand years.' In the tenth month of the second year of the Xingning era under Emperor Ai of Eastern Jin, the śramaṇa Zhu Qian took leave of the court and returned to the Shan Mountains. An imperial edict ordered Dun to continue lecturing on the Dharma within the inner palace. Prominent gentlemen of the time, including Yin Hao, Xi Chao, Sun Chuo, Huan Yanbiao, Wang Jingren, He Chong, Wang Tanzhi, and Yuan Yanbo, all forged with him friendships beyond the worldly. Everyone under heaven longed to behold his refined deportment. In the second year of the Taihe era under the Deposed Emperor of Jin, Dun submitted a memorial taking leave of the palace to return to the mountains. By imperial decree he was granted provisions, and with earnest respect the dignitaries held a farewell banquet for him at Zhenglu Pavilion. He set foot again in the Shan Mountains of Yue and established a monastery at the Little Ridge of Mount Wozhou to practice the Way. The monastic assembly received instruction from him, and when there were any who grew indolent, Dun composed an inscription to exhort them, which ran: 'Be diligent, be diligent! The ultimate Way is not remote. Vast is the triple realm; boundless is its long bondage. Carefully observe the luminous precepts; raise your resolve toward the unconditioned,' and so forth. When someone presented him with a horse, he kept it, saying, 'I only appreciate its fleetness.' When someone gave him a crane, he released it, saying, 'A creature that soars to the skies—how could it be an amusement for the ears and eyes?' Noble men largely praised his open-minded transcendence. Later, he emerged in Shanyin to lecture on the Vimalakīrti-nirdeśa Sūtra, with Xu Xun serving as the chief respondent. They debated the doctrinal meaning through several exchanges, and the audience was filled with admiration and deference. He entered extinction at the age of fifty-three. Dai Kui, passing by his stupa, sighed and said: 'His virtuous renown is not yet distant, yet the embraceable trees have already grown dense. Surely his spiritual principle is unbroken and enduring, not coming to an end along with the worldly fortunes' (His Biography).

2.33

The śramaṇa Bo Faqiao lost his voice while chanting scriptures. He repented for seven days and nights, praying to Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva for a clear response. When the seventh day arrived, his throat suddenly cleared open. From then on, as he chanted day and night, his voice could be heard from about a li away. Past the age of ninety, his voice remained melodious and resonant (His Biography).

2.34

Emperor Ai

2.35

Named Pi. Eldest son of Emperor Cheng. Enfeoffed as Prince of Langya. Emperor Mu having died without heir, the Empress Dowager installed the prince to uphold the grand succession, and he ascended the throne. He ingested elixirs of longevity; when the elixir took effect, he became unable to govern in person, and Empress Dowager Chu presided over the court. He lived to the age of twenty-five. Reign eras: Longhe (one year), Xingning (three years).

2.36

Wang Tanzhi of Jin donated his gardens and residence to create the Anle Monastery; he had been converted and guided by Shi Huishou (弘明集, Records of Monasteries).

2.37

The Deposed Emperor

2.38

Named Yi. Younger uterine brother of Emperor Ai. Emperor Ai had no sons, so the Empress Dowager commanded that he become the successor, and he ascended the throne. Huan Wen harbored treasonous ambitions and dropped hints to Empress Dowager Chu, deposing the emperor to become Prince of Donghai, and further enfeoffing him as Duke of Haixi. He lived to the age of forty-five. Reign era: Taihe (five years).

2.39

The Daśādhyāya-vinaya Prātimokṣa in three fascicles: translated by the śramaṇa Dharmadhara (rendered here as Fahai) of the Western Regions under the Qin (Vinaya Piṭaka, His Biography).

2.40

The śramaṇa Zhu Daoyou, that is, Bo Daoyou. Originally he stayed at Mount Shicheng in Shan; in this year he moved to Mount Chicheng in Shifeng of Tai Prefecture (now Mount Tiantai in Tai Prefecture), where he sat in meditation in a stone chamber. A pack of tigers squatted before him; while You chanted scriptures, one tiger alone fell asleep. You tapped its head with a ruyi scepter, saying, 'Why do you not listen to the sūtra?' When the chanting ended, the tigers all departed. Shortly thereafter, a great serpent of ten arm-spans came, coiled around, and held its head high toward You; after half a day, it departed. One day, a man came before him and said: 'Your disciple is a son of an emperor of the Xia; I have dwelt here for more than two thousand years. Now I am going to Mount Hanshi, and I readily yield this chamber to offer it to you.' Thereupon, sounding drums and bugles, he soared into the clouds and departed. You entered quiescence in the eighth year of the Taiyuan era under Emperor Wu of Eastern Jin (His Biography).

2.41

Shi Huichang translated the Biographies of Bhikṣuṇīs in six fascicles. Wang Xun, registrar to Huan Wen, General Pacifying the West of Jin, and his younger brother Min donated their residence to make a monastery; this is Mount Huqiu in Pingjiang Circuit (Illustrated Gazettes, Records of Monasteries).

2.42

Medical Arts: The śramaṇa Yu Fakai entered quiescence in this year. Kai was a disciple of Master Lan. He was skilled in the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā Sūtra and was particularly proficient in the art of medicine. Emperor Mu once summoned him; examining his pulse, Kai knew he would not recover, and so did not treat him. Someone asked him, 'Master, you are elevated and discerning, firm and simple; why do you keep the art of medicine in mind?' Kai said, 'Clarifying the six perfections eliminates the illnesses of the four māras; regulating the nine pulse-states treats diseases of wind and cold. Benefiting oneself and benefiting others—is this not also fitting?' (His Biography).

2.43

In the eleventh month of the xinwei year of Jin, Huan Wen went from Guangling to Jiankang, dropping hints to Empress Dowager Chu to request deposing the emperor and enthroning Sima Yu, the Chancellor and King of Kuaiji. An imperial edict promoted Wen to Chancellor and Grand Marshal to remain in the capital to assist in administration; Wen declined, still requesting to return to his garrison at Gushu (Imperial Annals).

2.44

Former Yan

2.45

Murong Hui (pronounced hu-hui) was a Xianbei from Changli. For generations his line had received Jin titles. In the second year of the Daxing era under Emperor Yuan of Eastern Jin, Hui, as Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Barbarians, set up staff officers. In the eighth year of the Xianhe era under Emperor Cheng of Jin, Murong Huang (pronounced hu-guang) took the throne, and by the dingyou year Huang styled himself King. Huang was deeply fond of classical letters; he personally visited schools to lecture and conduct examinations. In the eleventh month of the fourth year of the Yonghe era under Emperor Mu of Jin, Huang died. The heir apparent Jun ascended the throne and sent envoys to Jiankang to report the bereavement. The Jin emperor issued an edict dispatching the ceremonial usher Chen Guang to invest Jun as King of Yan. Jun made the wushen year his first year. In the renzi year, Jun extinguished the Shi clan's Zhao. In the eleventh month, Jun ascended the imperial throne and proclaimed the first year of Yuanxi. In the dingsi year, Jun moved the capital to Ye (ancient Xiang Prefecture of Ji territory, in Zhangde Circuit), which was Shi Hu's capital, and changed the reign era to Guangshou. In the first month of the gengshen year, Emperor Zhaodi, Jun, died. Murong Ke, the Grand Marshal, received the testament edict to assist Crown Prince Wei in ascending the throne, changing the reign era to Jianxi; this was Emperor You. In the tenth year of Jianxi, jisi, Murong Ping, Grand Tutor of Yan and King of Shangrong, grew jealous of the prestige and fame of Murong Chui, King of Wu; moreover, he had quarreled with Ping in open court, creating grudges. Empress Dowager Kezuhun and Ping secretly conspired to execute Chui; Chui fled to Qin with his sons, younger brothers, and nephews. Fu Jian, King of Qin, was overjoyed and went to the suburbs to welcome them; he appointed Chui as General of the Champion Army and enfeoffed him as Marquis Bincong. Earlier, when Jin attacked Yan, Yan sought rescue from Qin, promising to cede the territory west of Hulao as a gift to Qin. After the Jin troops retreated, the Yan people regretted it. Sovereign Jian of Qin was furious and led troops to attack Yan, advancing to attack Luoyang in the twelfth month. In the first month of the eleventh year of Jianxi, King of Wuwei Zhu, the inspector of Jing Prefecture for Yan, surrendered Luoyang to Qin. In the sixth month, Qin attacked Yan again; Yan was defeated. In the eleventh month, Sovereign Jian of Qin entered Ye, and the Yan ruler Wei came out to surrender. In the twelfth month, Sovereign Jian of Qin relocated Murong Wei, along with the Yan empresses, consorts, kings, lords, and hundred civil officials, to Chang'an, enfeoffing Wei as Marquis of Xinxing; the rest were enfeoffed and appointed with various distinctions. From its rise under Hui in the second year of Tai'an under Emperor Hui of Jin, the guihai year, to its end in the fifth year of Taihe under the Deposed Emperor of Eastern Jin, the gengwu year, Yan comprised four rulers over sixty-eight years in total.

2.46

Taizong, Emperor Jianwen

2.47

Named Yu. Youngest son of Emperor Yuan. Enfeoffed as King of Kuaiji. When Emperor Kang died, the Empress Dowager issued an edict commanding the King to manage all state affairs; he was advanced to Minister of Education, Chancellor, and Director of the Secretariat. Huan Wen deposed the Duke of Haixi, and by the order of the Empress Dowager the King entered to succeed to the imperial line. Huan Wen wielded dictatorial power, but the Emperor dealt with him with benevolence and forbearance. He lived to the age of fifty-three. The Emperor had Buddha statues made, established monasteries, held vegetarian feasts, and ordained monks. He built a Buddha stupa at Changgan Monastery in Jiankang, which was magnificent (Hongming ji). Reign era: Xian'an (two years).

2.48

The śramaṇa Zhu Fatai of Jin stayed at Waguan Monastery in Jiankang. The Emperor deeply revered him and invited him to lecture on the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. The Emperor personally graced the lecture, dukes and high ministers gathered in full, and both monks and laity admired and respected him. In the twelfth year of the Taiyuan era under Emperor Wu, Tai entered quiescence at the age of sixty-eight. Emperor Wu decreed: 'Dharma Master Tai's Way was broadcast across the eight directions. Suddenly he has passed away. One hundred thousand cash may be presented as a funerary contribution, and the officials in charge shall handle all funeral matters' (His Biography).

2.49

Xu Xun of Jin, styled Xuandu. The Emperor held him in exceedingly high esteem and frequently engaged in pure conversation with him. In his next life Xun became a monk named Tanyan; a stupa was erected in Shaoxing in eastern Zhejiang. Yan lived to the age of one hundred twenty (His Biography, Records of the Stupa).

2.50

Liezong, Emperor Xiaowu

2.51

[Emperor Xiaowu, named] Yao, was the third son of Emperor Jianwen. He ascended the throne at the age of eleven. On the first day of the first month of the first year of the Taiyuan era, the Emperor underwent the capping ceremony [reaching adulthood], and the Empress Dowager returned the governance [to him]. He was on the throne for twenty-four years, living to the age of thirty-five. Reign eras: Ningkang (three years) and Taiyuan (twenty-one years).

2.52

In the seventh month, Duke Xuanwu of Nanjun, Huan Wen, fell gravely ill. He died after entrusting his forces to his younger brother Chong. Chong claimed Wen's posthumous command was to make his youngest son, Xuan, his heir. At that time Xuan was just five years old, yet he inherited the title of Duke of Nanjun. Chong acted in Wen's stead to hold office, showing utmost loyalty to the imperial house. In the eighth month, the Empress Dowager once again attended court to administer the governance.

2.53

Imperial Burial of a Śramaṇa: Dharma Master Zhu Faqian. In the second year of the Xingning era of Emperor Ai, an imperial edict summoned him to lecture on the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra in the palace. Qian wore wooden clogs into the palace hall; people gathered to watch, marveling at the height of his virtue and noble demeanor. The Emperor once attempted to compel him to wear official robes and caps, but Qian did not consent, resigning to return to Mount Shan. Later, Zhi Dun sent a letter asking to purchase the Little Peak of Wozhou to retire into seclusion. Qian replied: "If you wish to come, I will gladly offer it to you. I have never heard of Chao[fu] or Xu [You] purchasing a mountain to live as hermits." In this year he entered quiescence. Emperor Wu issued an edict saying: "The Dharma Master's understanding of principle was lofty and profound, his demeanor and discernment pure and noble. He cast aside the honors of chief minister to don the simplicity of dyed garments. Living in the mountains beyond the mundane world, he was earnest and diligent without slackening. Just as we were relying on him to proclaim the Way to succour the common people, he suddenly passed away, causing deep sorrow in our heart. Let there be granted one hundred thousand strings of cash to assist in constructing a tomb and stupa." Whenever in China a śramaṇa was granted an imperial burial, it began with Qian (from the Biographies of Monks).

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釋氏稽古略 — Classical Chinese