高僧傳 2.45

2.45

Dharmakṣema, also called Tanmoxian or Tanwuxian, owes these variations to different phonetic renderings of the Sanskrit. He was originally a native of Madhyadeśa. At the age of six, he lost his father and followed his mother in making a living by weaving woolen blankets. Seeing the śramaṇa Dharmayaśas (here translated as "Faming"), who was revered by both clergy and laity and enriched with material offerings, his mother admired this and therefore made Dharmakṣema his disciple. At the age of ten, he recited dhāraṇīs with several fellow students; his intelligence surpassed the crowd, and he could recite more than ten thousand words of sūtras each day. At first he studied the Hīnayāna, concurrently examining treatises of the five sciences (pañcavidyā); his explanations were precise and eloquent, such that no one could counter or oppose him. Later he met a white-haired dhyāna master and debated with him; their studies being different, they contested for a hundred days. Although Dharmakṣema launched sharp challenges, the dhyāna master refused to yield to the end. Dharmakṣema submitted to his subtle principles and said to the dhyāna master, "Might there be scriptures that I could see?" The dhyāna master then handed him a bark manuscript of the Nirvāṇa-sūtra. Dharmakṣema examined and read it, was startled into awakening, and felt ashamed and regretful, considering that his well-frog understanding had long strayed from the great expanse. Thereupon he gathered the assembly, repented of his errors, and devoted himself exclusively to the Mahāyāna. By the age of twenty, he had recited more than two million words of Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna sūtras. Dharmakṣema's paternal cousin was skilled at training elephants; while riding, he killed the white-eared great elephant ridden by the king. The king was enraged and executed him, issuing an order: "Whoever dares to look upon him shall have their clan exterminated to three generations." None of the relatives dared go. Dharmakṣema wept and buried him. The king was enraged and wished to execute Dharmakṣema. Dharmakṣema said, "Your Majesty killed him according to the law, while I buried him out of kinship; neither of us violates great righteousness. Why should you be angry?" The bystanders froze with fear for him, but his countenance was composed. The king marveled at his determination and courage, and retained him to make offerings to him.