高僧傳 2.14

2.14

Kumārajīva stayed in Liangzhou for many years. Since Lü Guang and his son did not promote the Way, he kept his profound understanding concealed and had nowhere to propagate it. Fu Jian had already died, so they never met after all. When Yao Chang claimed illicit rule over Guanzhong, he also admired his high fame, sincerely inviting him; but the Lüs, knowing that Kumārajīva had much wisdom and strategy, feared he would devise plans for the Yaos and would not permit him to go east. When Chang died and his son Xing succeeded to the throne, he again dispatched envoys with earnest invitations. In the third year of Yao Xing's Hongshi era, in the third month, trees with entwined branches grew in the wide courtyard, and scallions in the Xiaoyao Garden turned into fragrant rue; this was regarded as an auspicious omen, indicating that a wise man was about to enter. In the fifth month, Xing dispatched Shuode, Duke of Longxi, to march west against Lü Long, and Long's army suffered a great defeat. In the ninth month, Long submitted a memorial offering surrender; only then was it possible to welcome Kumārajīva into the Pass. On the twentieth day of the twelfth month of that year, he arrived in Chang'an. Xing treated him with the honors of a National Preceptor and showed him exceptional favor. When they met in conversation, they would linger the whole day; inquiring into subtle points and penetrating them fully, he forgot weariness year after year.