高僧傳 5.9

5.9

時襄陽習鑿齒鋒辯天逸，籠罩當時。其先聞安高名，早已致書通好，曰：「承應真履正，明白內融，慈訓兼照，道俗齊蔭。自大教東流，四百餘年，雖蕃王居士，時有奉者。而真丹宿川，先行上世，道運時遷，俗未僉悟。自頃道業之隆，咸無以匹，所謂月光將出，靈鉢應降。法師任當洪範，化洽幽深，此方諸僧，咸有思慕。若慶雲東徂，摩尼迴曜，一躡七寶之座，暫現明哲之燈。雨甘露於豐草，植栴檀於江湄。則如來之教，復崇於今日；玄波溢漾，重盪於一代矣。」文多不悉載。及聞安至止，即往修造。既坐，稱言：「四海習鑿齒。」安曰：「彌天釋道安。」時人以為名答。齒後餉梨十枚，正值眾食，便手自剖分，梨盡人遍，無參差者。高平郄超遣使遺米千斛，修書累紙，深致慇懃。安答書云：「捐米，彌覺有待之為煩。」習鑿齒與謝安書云：「來此見釋道安，故是遠勝，非常道士，師徒數百，齋講不倦。無變化伎術，可以惑常人之耳目；無重威大勢，可以整群小之參差。而師徒肅肅，自相尊敬，洋洋濟濟，乃是吾由來所未見。其人理懷簡衷，多所博涉，內外群書，略皆遍覩，陰陽算數，亦皆能通，佛經妙義，故所游刃。作義乃似法蘭、法道，恨足下不同日而見，其亦每言思得一敘。」其為時賢所重，類皆然也。

At that time, Xi Zuochi of Xiangyang possessed an unmatched eloquence that outshone all others of his day. Having previously heard of Dao'an's great fame, he had early on sent a letter to establish ties of goodwill, saying: "I understand that you conform to reality and walk in the truth; clarity is blended within you, your compassionate teachings illuminate both [domains], and you shelter both the religious and the laity alike. Since the great teaching flowed east for more than four hundred years, although feudal princes and laymen have occasionally venerated it, the true elixir was previously hidden in the ancient stream and practiced in former ages; as the fortunes of the Way shifted with the times, the worldly have not all awakened to it. Recently, the flourishing of the karmic work of the Way has been entirely without peer, answering to what is said of the moonlight being about to emerge and the divine alms-bowl descending in response. Dharma Master, you shoulder the great standard, and your transformation reaches into the profound depths; the monks of this region all cherish their longing for you. If an auspicious cloud moves eastward and the maṇi-jewel reflects its radiance, you will mount the seven-jeweled throne for once, and briefly display the lamp of wisdom. Rain down sweet dew upon the lush grasses, and plant sandalwood on the riverbanks. Then the teachings of the Tathāgata will be exalted anew today, and the profound waves will surge and wash over this whole generation again." The letter was lengthy and is not fully recorded here. When he heard that Dao'an had arrived, he at once went to pay a call on him. Once seated, he announced: "Xi Zuochi of the four seas." Dao'an replied: "Shi Dao'an [whose fame] covers the heavens." The people of the time regarded this as a famous exchange. Later, Zuochi presented ten pears; just as the assembly was taking their meal, Dao'an sliced them with his own hands, and the pears were distributed to every person without the slightest discrepancy. Xi Chao of Gaoping sent an envoy to present a thousand hu of rice, writing a letter across multiple sheets of paper that expressed profound courtesy. Dao'an wrote in reply: "You have bestowed rice, which makes me feel all the more the trouble of depending on external things." Xi Zuochi wrote in a letter to Xie An: "I have come here and met Shi Dao'an. He is indeed far superior, an extraordinary man of the Way. With several hundred disciples, he tirelessly leads observances and lectures. He has no wondrous arts of transformation to delude the ears and eyes of common folk, nor does he possess weighty awe and vast influence to bring order to the disparities among the multitudes. Yet teacher and disciples are solemn and respectful toward one another; vast and dignified, it is something I have never seen before. In his disposition he is concise and sincere, and he has read widely; he has glanced over nearly all texts, internal and external, and is conversant with yin-yang and reckoning. In the profound meanings of Buddhist scriptures he is particularly skilled. When he interprets the doctrines, he is like Dharmarakṣa and Fadao. I regret that you cannot meet him at this time, and he too frequently speaks of wishing to have an interview with you." Such was the high regard the worthies of the age held for him.