高僧傳 7.81

7.81

釋僧瑾，姓朱，沛國人。隱士建之第四子。少善《莊》、《老》及《詩》、《禮》。後行至廣陵，見曇因法師，遂稽首一面，伏膺為道，遊學內典，博涉三藏。後至京師，值龍光道生，復依憑受業，初憩治城寺。宋孝武勅為湘東王師，苦辭以疾，遂不獲免。王從請五戒，甚加優禮。先是智斌沙門，初代曇岳為僧正。斌亦德為物宗，善三《論》及《維摩》、《思益》、《毛詩》、《莊》、《老》等。後義嘉構釁，時人讒斌，云為義嘉行道，遂被擯交州。時湘東踐祚，是為明帝，仍勅瑾使為天下僧主，給法伎一部，親信二十人，月給錢三萬，冬夏四時賜，并車輿吏力。凡諸外鎮，皆勅與瑾辭，四方獻奉，並問僧正得未。其見重如此。瑾性不蓄金，皆充福業，起靈根、靈基二寺，以為禪、慧栖止。

Shi Sengjin, surnamed Zhu, was a native of the State of Pei. He was the fourth son of the recluse Zhu Jian. In his youth he was proficient in the *Zhuangzi*, the *Laozi*, the *Classic of Poetry*, and the *Rites*. Later he traveled to Guangling, where he met Master Tanyin, whereupon he bowed down at their first meeting and devoted his heart to the pursuit of the Way, studying the inner scriptures and broadly delving into the Tripiṭaka. Later he reached the capital, where he encountered Daosheng of Longguang, and again relied on him to receive instruction, initially resting at Zhicheng Temple. Emperor Xiaowu of the Song dynasty decreed that he be the preceptor for the King of Xiangdong. He earnestly declined on account of illness, but was unable to obtain exemption. The King requested the five precepts from him and treated him with exceptional courtesy. Prior to this, the śramaṇa Zhibin had taken the place of Tanyue as the saṃghapradhāna. Bin's virtue was also revered by the multitude; he was proficient in the Three Treatises, the *Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra*, the *Viśeṣacintibrahmaparipṛcchā-sūtra*, the *Mao Commentary on the Poetry*, the *Zhuangzi*, and the *Laozi*. Later, when Liu Yijia instigated conflict, people of the day slandered Bin, saying that he was practicing the Way on behalf of Yijia, and he was consequently banished to Jiaozhou. At that time, the King of Xiangdong ascended the throne as Emperor Ming; he thereupon decreed that Sengjin be made the saṃghapradhāna of the realm, granting him a troupe of Buddhist musicians, twenty trusted attendants, thirty thousand cash monthly, four seasonal imperial gifts for winter and summer, along with carriages, horses, and administrative staff. Whenever officials went out to garrison external commands, they were all ordered to take leave of Jin, and when tributes were presented from the four directions, the Emperor would always ask whether the saṃghapradhāna had received his share or not. Such was the high regard in which he was held. By nature, Jin did not accumulate wealth; he devoted it all to merit-making deeds, founding the two temples of Linggen and Lingji as dwellings for dhyāna and wisdom.