高僧傳 3.18

3.18

At that time there was the monk (bhikṣu) Buddhabhadra, who was also a master of dhyāna in that country. Zhiyan invited him to return east, wishing to transmit the Dharma to the central lands. [Buddha]bhadra appreciated his earnest sincerity and traveled east with him. Thereupon, traversing sands and scaling perilous heights, they arrived in Guanzhong. Zhiyan consistently relied upon and followed [Buddha]bhadra, residing at the Great Monastery of Chang'an. Shortly afterward, [Buddha]bhadra was unjustly expelled by the monks of Qin, and Zhiyan's group dispersed as well; he rested at a monastery east of the mountains, practicing dhyāna, reciting sūtras, and applying himself with vigorous diligence to study and practice. In the thirteenth year of the Yixi era of the Jin, Emperor Wu of the Song campaigned west against Chang'an, and upon achieving victory turned his banners back, taking the route east of the mountains. At that time, the Duke of Shixing, Wang Hui, accompanied the imperial entourage to tour the mountains and rivers, and arrived at Zhiyan's monastery. He saw that the three monks residing together were each seated on a rope bed, their dhyāna contemplations serene and still. When Hui arrived, they did not notice him for quite some time; thereupon he snapped his fingers, and the three opened their eyes, but shortly closed them again, answering nothing when questioned. Hui was profoundly impressed by their extraordinary character, and upon inquiring of various elders, they all said: "These three monks live in seclusion to fulfill their aspirations; they are Dharma masters of lofty purity." Hui then reported to Emperor Wu of the Song, inviting them to return to the capital, but none was willing to go. As his repeated requests were so earnestly sincere, the other two urged Zhiyan to go with him. Hui had always possessed a sincere devotion to the Way and treated him with profound courtesy and offerings; upon returning to the capital, Zhiyan took up residence in Shixing Temple. By nature, Zhiyan loved quiet stillness and resolved to avoid the noisy world; Hui therefore built another monastery for him on the border of the eastern suburbs, which is the Zhuyuan Temple.