釋鑑稽古略續集 1.22

1.22

Chan Master Foguo: The master's taboo name was Zhiwen, his courtesy name was Qiyu, and his style was Quanyi. His posthumous title was Foguo Pu'an. He was a son of the Hao clan of Xingzhou. He bowed to Master Ne of Bian'an to tonsure. He assisted Master Fu of Wuhuan at Wanshou, and studied under Wansong as an attendant. Thereafter, Grand Auxiliary Lord Liu, having gained the favor and trust of Shizu, recommended the master. When summoned for an audience, the Emperor was greatly pleased and was about to confer an office upon him. He declined to accept, saying: 'That the Buddha's Dharma circulate throughout the world is the vow of this humble monk; wealth and nobility are not what I desire.' Xianzong ordered Haiyun to oversee the Buddhist teaching, and decreed throughout the empire that an assembly for aiding the military be held; the master took the decree, announced it internally and externally, and assisted in bringing it to completion. Lord Liu Wei, receiving an imperial directive, bestowed this title upon the master and made him the supreme controller of monks and nuns across the various circuits. The master zealously protected the teaching, and the monastic assembly relied upon him. Later, he surrendered his seal and resigned his post. On the eleventh day of the fifth month of this year, he died of illness at Tiangong in Huanzhou, facing west on his right side. Despite the summer heat, his demeanor was as if alive, and there was furthermore an unusual fragrance. Upon cremation, his heart, mouth, and teeth were indestructible. Digging into the earth several feet, relics were still obtained. His age was fifty-one, with forty monastic years. Academician Yu Ji composed the stele inscription (Tongzai).