高僧傳 3.48

3.48

初跋陀在荊十載，每與譙王書疏，無不記錄。及軍敗檢簡，無片言及軍事者。世祖明其純謹，益加禮遇。後因閑談，聊戲問曰：「念承相不？」答曰：「受供十年，何可忘德。今從陛下乞願，願為丞相三年燒香。」帝悽然慘容，義而許焉。及中興寺成，勅令移住，為開三間房。後於東府讌會，王公畢集，勅見跋陀，時未及淨髮，白首皓然，世祖遙望，顧謂尚書謝莊曰：「摩訶衍聰明機解，但老期已至，朕試問之，其必悟人意也。」跋陀上階，因迎謂之曰：「摩訶衍不負遠來之意，但唯有一在。」即應聲答曰：「貧道遠歸帝京，垂三十載，天子恩遇，銜愧罔極，但七十老病，唯一死在。」帝嘉其機辯，勅近御而坐，舉朝屬目。

Earlier, when [Guṇa]bhadra resided in Jingzhou for ten years, copies were kept of all his correspondence with the Prince of Qiao. When the [prince's] army was defeated and his correspondence was inspected, not a single word touched upon military affairs. Shizu recognised his purity and prudence, and treated him with even greater courtesy. Later, in the course of casual conversation, he playfully asked, "Do you miss the Chancellor?" He replied, "Having received his offerings for ten years, how could I forget his kindness? Now I make a request of Your Majesty: I wish to burn incense for the Chancellor for three years." The emperor took on a sorrowful expression, and admiring his righteousness, granted it. When Zhongxing Temple was completed, an edict ordered him to move and reside there, opening a suite of three chambers for him. Later, at a banquet in the Eastern Headquarters where princes and dukes were all assembled, an imperial order summoned Bhadra to appear. At that time, he had not yet had time to shave his hair, and his white locks were gleaming. Shizu looked at him from afar, turned to the Minister of Personnel Xie Zhuang, and said, "The Mahāyāna is intelligent and quick-witted, but old age has now arrived. Let me test him; he will surely understand my intent." As Bhadra ascended the steps, the emperor met him and said, "The Mahāyāna has not disappointed our intention in having him come from afar, but only one thing remains." [Bhadra] immediately replied, "This poor monk has returned from afar to the imperial capital for nearly thirty years. Receiving the Son of Heaven's gracious favor, my indebtedness knows no bound; but at seventy, old and ailing, only one death remains." The emperor praised his quick wit and ordered him to sit near the imperial seat, drawing the gaze of the entire court.