高僧傳 1.4

1.4

Śeṣamātaṅga was originally a native of Madhyadeśa. Possessing an elegant deportment and understanding both the Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna sūtras, he consistently took traveling and converting others as his duty. Formerly, when he passed through a small vassal state of Tianzhu to lecture on the Suvarṇaprabhāsa-sūtra, it happened that a hostile state invaded its borders. Mātaṅga considered: 'The sūtra says: "Whoever can expound the Dharma of this sūtra will be protected by the earth spirits, who will cause their dwelling place to be peaceful and secure." Now that spears and arrows are just about to clash, can this not be of benefit?' Thereupon, vowing to forget his own person, he went in person to urge reconciliation. As a result, the two states exchanged cordial relations, and he became prominent and famous because of this.