釋鑑稽古略續集 2.52

2.52

日本禪師　諱印原。字古先。相州藤氏。生有異徵。幼多奇志。八歲歸桃花悟公。十三剃度具戒。奮然南游。初參無見覩公。指見中峯本公。給侍左右屢呈見解。峰呵曰。根塵不斷如纏縛。何虛妄塵勞。皆非究竟事也。師愈精進久之有省。現前境界一白無際。入室印決超然領解。峯囑以善自護持。時虛谷靈公。古林茂公。東嶼海公。月江印公。師咸往謁焉。以叢林師子兒稱之後。同情拙澄公入日本。建立法幢化行遐邇。殊有力焉。出世慧林祝香嗣於中峯。次主等持教寺及真如萬壽淨智等剎。又住持普應寺長壽院。兼主圓覺建長。後退老長壽。是歲春正月示疾。至二十三日召門人曰。爾等恪守吾平日所訓。使法輪永轉可也。大書心印二字付額其塔。壽八十。臘六十云。

Chan Master Riben (of Japan): his taboo name was In'gen, his courtesy name was Kosen, of the Fuji clan of Sagami Province. When he was born there were extraordinary omens; in his youth he possessed many singular aspirations. At eight, he placed his faith in Master Tōka Go. At thirteen, he was tonsured and received the complete precepts. Spurred by resolve, he traveled south [to China]. He first called upon Master Wujian Du, who directed him to see Master Zhongfeng Ben. Serving at his side, he repeatedly presented his understandings. Zhongfeng scolded him, saying, 'If the sense faculties and dust are not severed, they are like entanglements. What empty, deluded toil in the dust! None of this is the ultimate matter.' The Master became all the more diligent, and after a long time had an awakening: the realm before him was completely and limitlessly white. Entering the room, his verification was confirmed, and he loftily comprehended. Zhongfeng exhorted him to protect and maintain it well. At that time, Master Xugu Ling, Master Gulin Mao, Master Dongyu Hai, and Master Yuejiang Yin were all masters upon whom he paid calls. He was acclaimed as a 'lion cub of the monastic groves'. Later, together with Master Qingzhuo Cheng, he entered Japan, establishing the Dharma banner and causing transformation to spread far and near, exerting exceptional strength. He came forth into the world at Erin[-ji], offering incense to succeed Zhongfeng. Next he presided over the instructional monastery of Tōji[-ji], as well as monasteries such as Shinnyo[-ji], Manju[-ji], and Jōchi[-ji]. Furthermore, he served as abbot of the Chōju Cloister of Fuo-ji, while simultaneously presiding over Engaku[-ji] and Kenchō[-ji]. Later, he retired in old age to Chōju[-in]. In the spring of this year, in the first month, he manifested illness. On the twenty-third day, he summoned his disciples and said, 'If you respectfully abide by what I have instructed in ordinary times and cause the wheel of the Dharma to turn forever, that will suffice.' In large characters he wrote the two characters 'Mind Seal' to bestow as the plaque for his stūpa. He lived to eighty, with sixty monastic years.