高僧傳 5.3

5.3

Shi Dao'an, whose lay surname was Wei, was a native of Fuliu in Changshan. His family had for generations been eminent scholars. Having lost his parents at an early age, he was raised by his maternal cousin of the Kong clan. At the age of seven he began reading books; he could recite them after looking through them twice, so that his neighbours sighed in astonishment. At the age of twelve he left home for the monastic life (pravrajyā). His spiritual intellect was bright and discerning, but his appearance was extremely homely, so he was not held in high regard by his master. He was sent to labour in the fields for up to three years; he applied himself diligently to toil and never showed a resentful countenance; his nature was sincere and vigorous, and his observance of the fasts and precepts was without defect. After several years, he finally requested scriptures from his master. His master gave him a single fascicle of the Bianyi jing, about five thousand words. An took the scripture into the fields and read it during his rests. In the evening, when he returned, he gave the scripture back to his master and requested another. His master said: “You have not read yesterday's scripture, and now you ask for another?” He replied: “I have already memorized it.” Although his master marveled, he did not yet believe him. He gave him another scripture, the Chengju guangming jing in one fascicle, somewhat less than ten thousand words. An took it as before, and in the evening returned it to his master. His master held the scripture and tested him on it; he did not miss a single character. His master was greatly amazed and marveled at him.