高僧傳 5.27

5.27

Shi Sengxian was a native of Jizhou and a disciple of Master Yuan of Changshan. By nature pure and plain, he had chaste integrity. When he was a novice, he met Dao'an at an inn; Dao'an had not yet received the full precepts at that time either, and they opened their hearts to discuss their aspirations and yearnings, full of noble spirit. On parting they said to each other: "When we both reach maturity, let us not forget to roam together." After Xian received the full precepts, he strove diligently through austerities and attained mastery of the sūtras and treatises; encountering the turmoil of the Shi clan, he hid away on Mount Feilong, letting his thoughts roam among the crags and ravines, fulfilling his aspirations in dhyāna and wisdom. Later Dao'an followed him there, and when they met they rejoiced, saying: "Our former vow is now fulfilled!" They thereupon opened the texts and applied their thoughts together, gaining many new insights. Dao'an said: "The previous scholars' method of matching concepts (*geyi*) often contradicts principle." Xian said: "For now we should merely analyze and roam freely; why need we pass judgment on our predecessors?" Dao'an said: "In promoting and praising the teaching of principles, one ought to ensure it is appropriate and satisfactory; when the Dharma drums compete in sounding, who cares who came first and who came later?" Xian then traveled south with Fatai and others to Jinping, lecturing on the Way and propagating the transformation. Later he returned to Xiangyang, fell ill, and passed away.