高僧傳 7.13

7.13

釋慧嚴，姓范，豫州人。年十二為諸生，博曉詩書，十六出家，又精鍊佛理。迄甫立年，學洞群籍，風聲四遠，化洽殊邦。聞什公在關，復從受學，訪正音義，多所異聞。後還京師，止東安寺。宋高祖素所知重。高祖後伐長安。要與同行，嚴曰：「檀越此行雖伐罪弔民，貧道事外之人，不敢聞命。」帝苦要之，遂行。及文帝在位，情好尤密，每見弘讚問佛法。

Shi Huiyan, whose secular surname was Fan, was a native of Yuzhou. At the age of twelve, he was a student who was broadly conversant with the Odes and the Documents. At sixteen, he went forth from home and also became well versed in Buddhist principles. By the time he had barely reached the age of thirty, his learning thoroughly penetrated the manifold texts; his reputation spread far and wide, and his edification reached foreign lands. Hearing that Master [Kumāra]jīva was in the Pass, he again went to study under him, inquiring into the correct sounds and meanings, and gained many rare insights. Later he returned to the capital and stayed at Dong'an Temple. Emperor Gaozu of the Song had long known and respected him. Later, when Gaozu campaigned against Chang'an, he urged [Huiyan] to travel with him. Yan said: "Although this journey of the dānapati is to punish the guilty and console the people, this poor monk is a person beyond secular affairs and does not dare to obey the order." The Emperor earnestly urged him, so he went along. When Emperor Wen was on the throne, their cordial relationship was especially close; whenever they met, [the Emperor] would broadly praise and inquire about the Buddhadharma.