高僧傳 2.23

2.23

Puṇyatāra, translated here as 'Flower of Merit' (Gongdehua), was a man of Kashmir (Jibin). He left home in his youth and was renowned for his discipline and restraint. He was fully conversant with the Tripiṭaka, but specialized in the Daśabhāṇavāra-vinaya section, becoming an authoritative master in foreign countries; people of the time all believed he had already attained the holy fruit. During the Hongshi era of the illegitimate Qin, he entered the passes bearing his tin staff. The ruler of Qin, Yao Xing, treated him with the etiquette due to an honored guest. Kumārajīva also admired his vinaya standards and paid him deep veneration. Prior to this, although the scriptures and teachings had been transmitted, the Vinayapiṭaka had not yet been expounded; hearing that Puṇyatāra was skilled in this division, all longed for it. On the seventeenth day of the tenth month in the sixth year of the Hongshi era of the illegitimate Qin, several hundred monks devoted to doctrinal study were gathered at the Central Temple in Chang'an, and invited Puṇyatāra to recite the Sanskrit text of the Daśabhāṇavāra; Kumārajīva translated it into Chinese. When two-thirds were obtained, Puṇyatāra fell ill and abruptly departed this world. Because the great enterprise had not been completed and the master had passed away, the depth of the assembly's grief and regret exceeded ordinary sorrow.