高僧傳 10.13

10.13

釋曇霍者，未詳何許人。蔬食苦行，常居塚間樹下，專以神力化物。時河西鮮卑偷髮利鹿孤僭據西平，自稱為王，號年建和。建和二年十一月，霍從河南來至自西平，持一錫杖，令人跪之，云：「此是波若眼，奉之可以得道。」人遺其衣物，受而輒投諸地，或放之河中。有頃，衣自還本主，一無所污。行疾如風，力者追之，恒困不及。言人死生貴賤，毫釐無爽。人或藏其錫杖，霍閉目少時，立知其處，並奇其神異，終莫能測。然因之事佛者甚眾。鹿孤有弟耨檀，假署車騎，權傾偽國。性猜忌，多所賊害。霍每謂檀曰：「當修善行道，為後世橋梁。」檀曰：「僕先世以來，恭事天地名山大川。今一旦奉佛，恐違先人之旨。公若能七日不食，顏色如常，是為佛道神明，僕當奉之。」乃使人幽守七日，而霍無飢渴之色。檀遣沙門智行密持餅遺霍，霍曰：「吾嘗誰欺，欺國王耶？」檀深奇之，厚加敬仰，因此改信，節殺興慈。國人既蒙其祐，咸稱曰大師。出入街巷，百姓並迎，為之禮。檀有女，病甚篤，請霍救命。霍曰：「死生有命，聖不能轉，吾豈能延壽？正可知早晚耳。」檀固請之。時宮後門閉，霍曰：「急開後門。及開則生，不及則死。」檀命開之，不及而卒。

Shi Tanhuo's origin is unknown. Eating vegetarian food and practicing austerities, he always lived among graves and beneath trees, dedicating himself to transforming living beings through miraculous powers. At that time, Tufa Lilugu of the Xianbei tribe in Hexi had usurped power in Xiping, calling himself king and naming his reign era Jianhe. In the eleventh month of the second year of Jianhe, Huo arrived in Xiping from Henan, carrying a khakkhara. He had people kneel before it, saying: "This is the eye of prajñā; worshipping it enables one to attain the Way." When people presented him with clothing and articles, he took them and threw them to the ground, or cast them into the river. After a short while, the clothing returned to its original owners, completely unstained. He walked as swiftly as the wind; even robust men pursuing him were continually exhausted and unable to catch up. When he spoke of life, death, nobility, or lowliness, he was never off by a fraction. When someone hid his khakkhara, Huo closed his eyes for a short while and instantly knew its location; all marveled at his wondrous powers, yet none could ever fathom him. Thus, those who served the Buddha on account of him were very numerous. Lilugu had a younger brother named Noutan, who was falsely titled General of Chariots and Cavalry and whose power dominated the illegitimate state. By nature suspicious and jealous, he harmed many people. Huo would often tell Noutan: "You must cultivate good and practice the Way, building a bridge for future lives." Noutan said: "Since the days of my ancestors, I have reverently served heaven and earth, famous mountains, and great rivers. If I suddenly venerate the Buddha now, I fear I would violate the intentions of my forebears. If you can go without eating for seven days with your complexion unchanged, showing that the Buddha's Way is truly divine, I shall venerate it." He then had guards confine him for seven days, yet Huo showed no sign of hunger or thirst. Noutan sent the śramaṇa Zhixing to secretly give cakes to Huo; Huo said: "Whom have I ever deceived? Would I deceive the king of a state?" Noutan marveled greatly at him and revered him with deep respect; because of this, he converted to faith, curtailed killing, and fostered compassion. The people of the state, having received his protection, all called him the Great Master. When he walked through the streets and alleys, the common people came out to welcome him and pay him homage. Noutan had a daughter who was critically ill, and he asked Huo to save her life. Huo said: "Life and death are fated; even sages cannot alter them. How could I prolong her lifespan? I can only know whether it will be early or late." Noutan pleaded persistently. At that time the rear gate of the palace was shut; Huo said: "Quickly open the rear gate! If opened in time, she lives; if not, she dies." Noutan ordered it opened, but before it could be opened in time, she passed away.