釋鑑稽古略續集 2.42

2.42

Chan Master Gufeng: Taboo name Mingde, styled Gufeng. A man of Changguo, of the Zhu clan. His mother, Lady Huang, became pregnant after dreaming that the monk Master Jie sought lodging. When the Master was young, he was already fond of sitting cross-legged. At twelve, he became a disciple of Master Xi of Mount Heng. He went to Wutai to receive the precepts. He first called upon Master Zhuxi Tan; hearing the story of the World-Honoured One holding up a flower, he had an awakening. Next he saw Master Huiji Xi and Master Mingji Jun, and encountered no obstruction. He also met Master Zhutian Lin, who raised the gongan of the mud ox entering the sea, whereupon all his doubts were suddenly dispelled. Further, together with Master Zhongfang Lun, he built a hermitage at Peach Blossom Valley, where they encouraged each other and read the great *Avataṃsaka Sūtra*. He began his public career at Dongchan Monastery. He was then transferred to Baoning in Jiqing, training incoming students and reviving what had fallen into ruin. The Imperial Preceptor bestowed upon him the title "Round Brightness, Samādhi, and Wisdom," accompanied by a gold-laced Dharma robe. At that time, there was no prominent official who did not desire to associate with him. He was thirdly transferred to Daochang in Huzhou, where the construction was gradually brought to order. He also accepted the invitation to Jingci in Hangzhou. When the present dynasty began, he declined office and returned to the Bamboo Grove Hermitage at Daochang. One day he admonished his disciples, saying: "Though my body is slight, the nature of the One Reality is equal to the Tathāgatas. The arising and ceasing of worldly marks is no different from sparks struck from flint or flashes of lightning. Strive diligently day and night; do not give rise to retrogression." Writing a eulogy, he entered extinction at the age of seventy-nine, with sixty-two years in the monastic order. His bones were interred on the eastern knoll. His recorded sayings from four assemblies circulate in the world.