釋鑑稽古略續集 2.44

2.44

用拙法師　諱祖儞。字日章。號用拙。常熟張氏子。祝髮後東游四明。時我菴無公住延慶。石室瑛公居育王。皆待以忘年。後嗣法於竹屋淨法師。出世永定教寺。繼遷崑山廣孝。嘉定淨信。而主教吳下垂五十年。洪武初。預選高行。有旨就天界寺說法。上數召入禁中。奏對稱允。加賜慈忍法師之號。後賜歸故里而終焉。

Dharma Master Yongzhuo: Taboo name Zuni, courtesy name Rizhang, styled Yongzhuo. A son of the Zhang clan of Changshu. After shaving his head, he traveled east to Siming. At that time, Master Wo'an Wu was residing at Yanqing, and Master Shishi Ying was dwelling at Yuwang; both treated him as a friend irrespective of age. Later, he inherited the Dharma from Dharma Master Zhuwu Jing. He began his public career at Yongding Teaching Monastery, and successively moved to Guangxiao in Kunshan and Jingxin in Jiading, superintending teachings in the Wu region for nearly fifty years. In the early years of Hongwu, he was selected among those of elevated conduct, and an imperial decree directed him to expound the Dharma at Tianjie Monastery. The Emperor frequently summoned him to the inner palace; his responses were well-received. He was further granted the title "Dharma Master of Compassionate Forbearance." Later, he was permitted to retire to his home village, where he ended his life.