高僧傳 4.38

4.38

Kai had a disciple named Fawei, who possessed clear understanding and pivotal eloquence; hence, Sun Chuo composed a eulogy for him, saying: 'The Book of Changes speaks of pure white feathers; the Book of Songs praises duckweed and water-caltrop. Varied and distinct as on the threshing ground, fragrant as in standing waters. Yu and Wei shone forth with brilliance, resolutely seeking afar. Pure in their reputation, they harbored no shame in their hearts.' Kai once sent Wei to the capital, passing through Shanyin. Zhi Dun was just lecturing on the Aṣṭasāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā-sūtra (Xiaopin). Kai said to Wei: 'While Daolin lectures, by the time you arrive, he will have reached such-and-such a chapter.' He instructed him with dozens of challenging arguments, saying: 'This part has long been difficult to resolve.' When Wei arrived in the commandery, Dun was indeed lecturing, just as Kai had said. After numerous exchanges, Dun was finally overcome; he then said in a harsh tone: 'Why must you carry and deliver cargo on behalf of another!' Thus a proverb of the Eastern Mountains said: 'Deep's contemplation, Kai's thought, Lin's discourse, and Shi's memory.' During the reign of Emperor Ai, he was repeatedly summoned by imperial edict, so he went to the capital to lecture on the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā-sūtra. Whenever scholars of old clung to doubts, they were all clarified through his lectures. When the lecturing concluded, he took leave to return to the Eastern Mountains. The Emperor, earnestly cherishing his virtue, bestowed upon him gifts of coins, silk, a palanquin, and winter and summer garments; Xie An and Wang Wendu [Wang Tanzhi] were both on friendly terms with him. Someone asked: 'The Dharma Master is lofty, brilliant, resolute, and simple; why do you keep the art of medicine in mind?' He replied: 'Illuminating the six perfections eliminates the illnesses caused by the four māras; regulating the nine pulses cures diseases of wind and cold. Benefiting oneself and benefiting others—is this not permissible?' At the age of sixty, he died at the mountain monastery. Sun Chuo characterized him, saying: 'Free and sweeping in talent and eloquence, propagating the teaching by means of occult and technical arts—surely that was Master Kai!'