高僧傳 6.13

6.13

In the Sheti year, autumn, the seventh month, on the day yichou, the twenty-eighth day after the new moon on wuchen: The Dharma master Shi Huiyuan, with pure resonance reaching into the hidden mysteries, has given special expression to his long-held aspirations. He has invited like-minded gentlemen of stilled minds and pure faith, one hundred and twenty-three in all, to gather on the northern slope of Mount Lu, before the image of Amitābha in the Prajñā Platform vihāra, leading them to present incense and flowers in reverence and make this vow: For the assembly gathered in this single meeting, when the principle of dependent transformation is made clear, the transmission through the three periods of existence becomes manifest; when the tally of karmic progression and resonance corresponds, the retribution of good and evil is certain. Considering how friends holding arms can secretly sink away, we realize the urgent timeline of impermanence; examining how the three retributions press upon one another, we know how difficult it is to be plucked from the perilous destinies. This is why these like-minded worthy gentlemen are watchful in the evening and diligent at night, looking up and contemplating that by which they might cross over. Spirit may be touched and reached through resonance, but cannot be sought through physical traces. If the resonance is rooted in reality, the hidden path is but a foot away; yet if seeking has no master, how vast and limitless is the river crossing! Now, fortunately, without prior planning, we have united our minds upon the Western Realm; opening the texts, we unleash our faith, and our sincere sentiments are revealed from heaven, so that signs and omens penetrate our dreams and sleep, and joy is a hundredfold greater than when the people arrived like children. Thereupon, the cloud-like image displays its luster, a shadow matching a divine creation; the work succeeds through harmony with principle, an affair not driven by human agency. This is truly heaven opening their sincerity and the unseen workings gathering them together; can one not set one's mind, redouble one's focus, and concentrate one's thoughts to steady one's contemplation? Yet their radiant achievements are uneven and their merits and virtues are not identical; though their morning prayers are said to be the same, their evening destination might be separated. For our circle of teachers and friends, this is truly lamentable. Therefore, sighing, we urge each other to straighten our robes in the Dharma hall, dedicate a single mind in equal measure, settle our aspirations upon the profound ultimate, and vow with these like-minded persons to journey together to the transcendent realm. If any among us should extraordinarily excel the rest and be the first to ascend to the spiritual realm, let him not cultivate solely his own good atop the cloudy peaks, nor forget to offer complete help to those in the shadowy valleys; let those who advance first and those who ascend later exert themselves in contemplating the way of gathering and journeying together. Furthermore, marvelously beholding the Great Form, we shall open our hearts to pure illumination; consciousness will be renewed through awakening, and the bodily form transformed by change. Resting upon lotus blossoms in the midst of the stream, sheltered under jeweled branches to chant our verses; fluttering cloud robes to the eight extremities, drifting on fragrant breezes for endless years, the body forgets ease yet becomes ever more serene, and the mind transcends pleasure to find self-delight. Overlooking the three lower destinies, we bid them distant farewell; proudly looking upon the heavenly palaces, we take our lasting leave. Continuing in the footsteps of the host of spirits, we point to a single breath as the term of our pledge. To plumb this Way to the utmost—how magnificent it is!