高僧傳 3.19

3.19

The Indic manuscripts of various sūtras that Zhiyan had previously obtained in the Western Regions had not yet been translated. In the fourth year of the Yuanjia era, together with the śramaṇa Baoyun, he translated the *Lalitavistara* (*Puyao jing*), the *Guangbo yanjing jing*, the *Four Heavenly Kings* (*Sitianwang jing*), and other texts. While staying at the monastery, Zhiyan did not accept individual invitations, but always supported himself through piṇḍapāta; the transformation wrought by his practice commanded the respect of both the unseen and the visible realms. Someone who could see ghosts said that he saw ghosts in the western district near the Grand Altar of the Soil saying to one another: "Lord Zhiyan is coming; we must make way!" The man did not understand this. Shortly after, Zhiyan arrived; when casually asked his name, he indeed answered "Zhiyan." The man silently took note of this and showed him secret deference. Lady Liu, the wife of Xiao Sihua, who held the rank of Equal to the Three Excellencies and was from Lanling, fell ill and constantly saw ghosts coming, which was truly terrifying. She invited Zhiyan to preach the Dharma; when Zhiyan had only just arrived at the outer hall, Lady Liu saw the multitude of ghosts scatter in disarray. Once Zhiyan entered and expounded the sūtra for the lady, her illness was cured; she consequently received the five precepts, and the entire household came to revere him. Zhiyan was pure, unadorned, and had few desires; he gave away whatever he received. From his youth he had traveled widely, without clinging or attachment. Endowed with a humble and retiring nature, he never praised himself; thus, although he had many noble deeds, the world has not been able to transmit them all.