高僧傳 6.28

6.28

Later, Huan Xuan launched an expedition against Yin Zhongkan. His army passed by Mount Lu, and he invited Huiyuan to come out beyond Tiger Creek. Huiyuan claimed illness and said he was unable. Huan Xuan entered the mountain himself. His attendants said to Huan Xuan: "In the past, when Yin Zhongkan entered the mountain, he paid homage to Huiyuan. We hope your lordship will not revere him." Huan Xuan replied: "How could there be such a thing! Zhongkan was fundamentally just a dead man." When he saw Huiyuan, he unconsciously paid his respects. Huan Xuan asked: "[The Classics say] one dares not damage [the body]; why have you shaved your hair?" Huiyuan replied: "To establish oneself and practice the Way." Huan Xuan praised him. The difficult questions he had harbored he dared not speak of again, and instead spoke of his intentions for the military expedition. Huiyuan did not reply. Huan Xuan asked again: "What is your wish for me?" Huiyuan said: "I wish that the dānapati remain safe and sound, and that the other party also come to no harm." When Huan Xuan left the mountain, he said to his attendants: "He is truly someone I have never seen before in my life." Later, relying on his authority that shook the sovereign, Huan Xuan pressed hard to recruit him, sending a letter with persuasive rhetoric urging him to enter official service. Huiyuan's reply was firm and upright, unshakable and steadfast; his resolve surpassed cinnabar and stone, and in the end he could not be swayed. Soon after, Huan Xuan wished to purge the saṃgha, and instructed his subordinates: "Śramaṇas who are able to expound the scriptures and teachings, clearly explain the principles, or whose disciplined conduct is refined and upright, sufficient to proclaim and transmit the great transformation—all those who fall short of this shall be dismissed and sent away. Only Mount Lu, being the dwelling of virtue and the Way, is not subject to search and selection." Huiyuan sent a letter to Huan Xuan, saying: "The Buddha's teachings have fallen into decline; defilement and corruption have persisted for a long time. Every time I reflect upon this, grief and indignation fill my breast. I have always feared that an unintended turn of fortune would come, and destruction would soon follow. I have observed your directive to cleanse the men of the Way, and it truly accords with the original intention. When the Jing and Wei rivers part, the clear and turbid take different courses; when the crooked is straightened by the upright, the unbenevolent naturally keep their distance. Once this order is executed, unity of principle will surely be attained. Then those who feign and deceive will have their paths of pretense cut off, while those who cherish the truth will have no shame before the world. The Way and the secular will flourish together, and the Three Jewels will once more prosper." He then laid out detailed regulations, which Huan Xuan followed.