釋氏稽古略 4.74

4.74

Shoushan: Chan Master Shoushan of Ruzhou, named Shengnian, was a son of the Di clan of Laizhou. He was tonsured under Nanshan Monastery in his native commandery. As soon as he received full precepts, he traveled broadly through monasteries; he constantly recited the Lotus Sūtra in secret, and the assembly referred to him as "Nian-Fahua" (Reciter of the Lotus). He received the prophecy of future Buddhahood from Chan Master Fengxue Zhao. He opened the Dharma at Shoushan as its first generation, and next resided at Guangjiao and Baoying in Ye County, Ruzhou. Yesterday, on the fourth day of the twelfth month at noon in the third year of the Chunhua era, he ascended the hall and uttered a gāthā: / "This year sixty-seven years old, / Old and sick, I follow conditions and while away the days. / This year I instead recall the affairs of next year; / Next year, remember this morning's day." / When it came to the fourth day of the twelfth month of this year, he took leave of the assembly and ascended the hall, again uttering a gāthā: / "In a world of white silver, a golden-colored body; / Sentient and non-sentient share the single True. / When brightness and darkness are exhausted, neither shines; / When the sun wheel passes noon, the whole body is revealed." / Having spoken, he serenely passed away. He was cremated, his relics gathered, and a stupa erected. The master was the dharma heir of Fengxue Yanzhao; Zhao was the heir of Nanyuan Huiyong; Yong was the heir of Xinghua Cunjang; Jiang was the heir of Chan Master Linji Yixuan. Those who succeeded to the master's Dharma lineage were Fenyang Shanzhao, Guixing of Ye County, Shending Hongyin, Guyin Yuncong, Guanghui Yuanlian, Grand Councilor Lord Wang Sui, and others, twelve persons in all. Xing transmitted it to Fushan Fayuan; Yuan transmitted it to Jingyin Daozhen and others; the Dharma lineage flourished greatly thereafter (Seng zhuan).