高僧傳 11.37

11.37

有沙門法達，為偽國僧正，欽高日久，未獲受業。忽聞怛化，因而哭曰：「聖人去世，當復何依？」累日不食，常呼：「高上聖人自在，何能不一現？」應聲見高飛空而至。達頂禮求哀，願見救護。高曰：「君業重難救，當可如何？自今以後，依方等苦悔，當得輕受。」達曰：「脫得苦報，願見矜救。」高曰：「不忘一切，寧獨在君？」達又曰：「法師與崇公並生何處？」高曰：「吾願生惡世，救護眾生，即已還生閻浮。崇公常祈安養，已果心矣。」達又問：「不審法師已階何地？」高曰：「我諸弟子自有知者。」言訖奄然不見。達密訪高諸弟子，咸云是得忍菩薩。

There was a śramaṇa named Fada, who served as the saṃghapradhāna of the illegitimate state. He had long admired Gao, but had not yet received his instruction. Suddenly hearing of his mournful passing, he wept and said, "Now that the sage has departed the world, upon whom can we rely?" For several days he did not eat, constantly crying out, "Lord Gao was an autonomous sage; how could he not manifest himself even once?" In response to his voice, he saw Gao arrive flying through the air. Da prostrated with his head to the ground, begging for mercy and wishing for protection. Gao said, "Your karma is heavy and difficult to save; what can be done? From now on, if you perform earnest repentance according to the Vaipulya [sūtras], you will receive a lighter retribution." Da said, "If I meet with painful retribution, I pray that you will pity and save me." Gao said, "I do not forget all sentient beings; would it be you alone?" Da also asked, "Where were you, Dharma Master, and Lord Chong reborn?" Gao said, "I vowed to be reborn in an evil world to save and protect sentient beings, so I have already returned to Jambudvīpa. Lord Chong always prayed for the Land of Peaceful Nurture, and his wish has already been fulfilled." Da asked again, "I do not know what stage the Dharma Master has already attained?" Gao said, "Among my disciples, there are naturally those who know." Having spoken, he suddenly vanished. Da secretly inquired among Gao's disciples, and they all said he was a bodhisattva who had attained the endurance of dharmas.