釋鑑稽古略續集 3.242

3.242

明龍禪師　淮南姚氏。俗諱東陽。甞補邑庠嗜書典。從大光和尚祝髮進具。尋居羊山秀峯菴。鶉衣一衲諸陵中貴人多檀助之。木寧汪司馬道昆。聞師名瞻敬甚至。問能作常住乎。曰無常無住。辭歸。除夕集眾告曰。元年元日吾當行矣。夜半命弟子視中星。師曰。日午乃行。元日羊山放五色光。至日中。師辭眾坐化。舉眾望光羅拜曰。佛耶佛耶。願以此光普照下土。汪公為之銘。

Chan Master Minglong: From the Yao clan of Huainan; his secular taboo name was Dongyang. He had once been a county student, fond of books and classics. He shaved his head and took the complete precepts under the Venerable Daguang. Soon after, he resided at Xiufeng Hermitage on Mount Yang. Wearing only a single ragged patchwork robe, he was supported by many of the palace eunuchs at the imperial tombs. Wang Daokun, the Vice Minister of War from Muning, heard of the master's reputation and showed him the utmost reverence. He asked, "Can you establish permanent monastic property?" The master replied, "Neither permanent nor staying." He then took his leave and returned. On New Year's Eve, he assembled the assembly and announced, "On New Year's Day of the first year, I shall depart." In the middle of the night, he ordered his disciples to observe the culminating star. The master said, "I shall depart at midday." On New Year's Day, Mount Yang emitted five-colored light. When noon arrived, the master took leave of the assembly and passed away while sitting. The entire assembly looked toward the light and bowed all around, saying, "Is he a buddha? Is he a buddha? May this light shine universally upon the world below!" Lord Wang composed an inscription for him.