釋氏稽古略 2.8

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).