高僧傳 2.32

2.32

Later he went to the kingdom of Shache (Kashgar). The king was unwell and invited an assembly of three thousand monks, of whom Yaśas was one. At that time the crown prince, Dharmaputra (meaning “Dharma Son”), saw that Yaśas’s appearance and attire were refined and dignified, and asked where he had come from. Yaśas replied with clear eloquence. The prince was delighted with him and accordingly requested him to remain within the palace to receive offerings, treating him with great generosity. Kumārajīva arrived later and also studied under Yaśas, respecting him greatly. After [Kumāra]jīva accompanied his mother back to Kucha, Yaśas stayed behind. Shortly after, the king died and the crown prince ascended the throne. At that time, Fu Jian sent Lü Guang west to attack Kucha. In dire straits, the king of Kucha sought help from Kashgar. The king of Kashgar personally led troops thither and had Yaśas stay to assist the crown prince, entrusting him with affairs back home. Before the relief army arrived, Kucha had already fallen. When the king returned, he recounted in full that [Kumāra]jīva had been captured by [Lü] Guang. Yaśas sighed and said: “Although Kumārajīva and I were together for a long time, we did not fully express our feelings. Now that he has suddenly been taken captive, when will we ever see each other again?” After staying for over ten years, he then went east to Kucha, where his teaching flourished greatly. At that time, [Kumāra]jīva was in Guzang and sent a letter to invite him. Yaśas packed provisions intending to leave, but the people of the country detained him, so he stayed for another year or so. Later he told his disciples: “I wish to look for Kumārajīva. You may pack secretly and depart at night; do not let anyone know.” A disciple said: “I fear that pursuers will arrive tomorrow, and we will not escape being brought back.” Yaśas then took a bowl of clear water, threw medicine into it, chanted an incantation of several tens of words, and washed his disciples' feet with it; then they departed at night. By dawn, they had travelled several hundred li. He asked his disciple: “What did you feel?” The disciple replied: “I only heard the sound of rushing wind, and tears flowed from my eyes.” Yaśas again gave him incanted water to wash his feet, and they rested. The next morning, when the people of the country pursued them, they were already several hundred li apart and could not catch up.