高僧傳 12.26

12.26

The assessment says: What is valued by the embodied is the body; what is treasured by sentient consciousness is life. For this reason, men consume fat and drink blood, ride well-fed steeds, and wear light furs, wishing to delight themselves. They ingest atractylodes and swallow cinnabar to protect life and nourish nature, wishing for longevity. Yet when it comes to plucking a single hair to benefit the world, they are parsimonious and will not do it; when it comes to giving up a single meal to prolong another's remaining life, they grudge it and will not bestow it. Their shortcomings are extreme indeed! However, there are those of vast knowledge and penetrating insight who disregard themselves to aid others. They realize that the Three Realms are a mansion of the long night, and awaken to the four modes of birth as a realm of dreams and illusions. Their spiritual essence soars like flying feathers; their bodily husk is trapped within a jar or valley. Therefore, offering from crown to foot never weighs on their minds; discarding kingdoms, cities, wives, and children is like tossing away dry tares. Those treated in this section are such persons. Sengqun's heart was concerned for a single duck, so he cut off his water and lost his life. Sengfu solely saved a single youth, slashing his belly to preserve the boy's life. Fajin sliced his flesh to feed people, and Tancheng fed himself to a ravenous tiger. These are all instances of esteeming the way of universal rescue and forgetting oneself to benefit living beings. In antiquity, the prince cast down his body, gaining merit exceeding nine kalpas; slicing his flesh to ransom a bird shook the three thousand [worlds]. Only such persons can truly be transcendent and lofty! From Fayu down to Tanhong, all turned their bodily husks to ash and discarded what they cherished. Some prayed with devotion for Sukhāvatī; others vowed to be born in Tuṣita. Thus the twin wutongs appeared in the chamber, and a pavilion manifested in the sky. Auspicious omens shone brightly, appearing from time to time.