高僧傳 13.81

13.81

釋法鏡，姓張，吳興烏程人。幼而樂道，事未獲從。值慧益燒身，啟帝度二十人，鏡即預其一也。事法願為師。既得入道，履操氷霜。仁施為懷，曠拔成務。於是研習唱導，有邁終古。齊竟陵文宣王厚相禮待，鏡誓心弘道，不拘貴賤，有請必行，無避寒暑。財不蓄私，常興福業。建武初，以其信施立齊隆寺以居之。鏡為性敦美，賞接為務，故道俗交知，莫不愛悅。雖義學功淺，而領悟自然。造次嘲難，必有酬酢。齊永元二年卒，年六十四。

Shi Fajing's surname was Zhang, and he was a native of Wucheng in Wuxing. From his youth he delighted in the Way, but circumstances did not permit him to pursue it. It happened that when Huiyi burned his own body, he petitioned the Emperor to ordain twenty persons, and Fajing was among them. He served Fayuan as his master. Having entered the Way, his practice and conduct were pure like ice and frost. Taking benevolence and giving to heart, his task was broad salvation. Thereupon he studied and practiced vocal cantillation, surpassing ancient times. Prince Wenxuan of Jingling of the Qi treated him with deep courtesy. Fajing vowed in his heart to propagate the Way without distinction between noble and base; wherever he was invited he went, avoiding neither cold nor heat. He kept no private wealth, constantly promoting meritorious works. At the beginning of the Jianwu reign-era, Qilong Temple was built with his faithful offerings for him to dwell in. Fajing's nature was earnest and admirable, and his duty was to appreciate and receive others; thus both clergy and laity came to know him, and none did not love and delight in him. Although his study of doctrinal meaning was slight, his comprehension was spontaneous. Whenever he was suddenly mocked or challenged with difficult questions, he always had an answer. In the second year of the Yongyuan reign-era of the Qi, he died at the age of sixty-four.