高僧傳 2.5

2.5

Kumārajīva, translated as Tongshou (Youth-Longevity), was an Indian whose family had for generations served as state chancellors. Jīva's grandfather, Datta, was untrammeled and outstanding, enjoying high renown in his country. His father, Kumārāyana, possessed bright intelligence and admirable integrity; when he was about to inherit the post of chancellor, he declined it and left home to enter the religious life, travelling east across the Pamir Mountains. The king of Kucha, hearing that he had renounced worldly glory, held him in deep reverence and admiration; he went out to the suburbs in person to welcome him and invited him to become State Preceptor. The king had a younger sister, just twenty years of age, whose insight and intelligence were sharp and keen; whatever met her eyes she could master, and what she heard once she could recite. Moreover, she had a red birthmark on her body, indicating she would give birth to a wise son. Many kingdoms had sought her in marriage, but she would accept none of them. When she saw Kumārāyana, her heart wished to be matched with him, and so they compelled him to take her as his wife, after which she became pregnant with Jīva. While Jīva was in the womb, his mother herself felt that her spiritual insight and understanding had doubled compared to ordinary days. Hearing that the Great Cīkkhaṭa Monastery had many renowned and virtuous monks as well as monks who had attained the Way, she together with noble ladies of the royal clan and virtuous nuns made offerings throughout the day, inviting monks to meals and listening to the Dharma. Jīva's mother suddenly became spontaneously fluent in the language of India; when she raised difficult questions, she penetrated their profoundest depths, and all who heard were amazed. The arhat Dharmaghosa said: "She must be carrying a wise son," and recounted to them the proofs from when Śāriputra was in the womb. After Jīva was born, she forgot that language again. Soon after, Jīva's mother wished to leave home to become a nun, but her husband would not permit it, and she subsequently gave birth to another boy, named Puṣyadeva. Later, when going outside the city on an excursion, she saw dry bones lying scattered in different places among the graves; thereupon she deeply contemplated the root of suffering and firmly vowed to leave home, swearing that if she could not shave her hair she would swallow no food or drink. By the night of the sixth day, her breath and strength were so depleted that it was feared she would not survive till dawn; her husband was terrified and gave his permission. Because her hair was not yet shaven, she still would not taste anything. Only when he ordered someone to shave her head did she take food and drink. The next morning she received the precepts, continued to delight in dhyāna practice, and through tireless and undivided effort, attained the first fruit [of stream-entry].