高僧傳 6.52

6.52

Shi Tanyong, surnamed Yang, was a native of Guanzhong. In his youth he served the illegitimate Qin, reaching the post of General of the Guard. He was eight chi tall, surpassing others in valor. In the eighth year of the Taiyuan era (383 CE), he followed Fu Jian on his southern expedition and was defeated by the Jin army; returning to Chang'an, he thereupon entered the monastic life under the Venerable Dao'an. After the Venerable Dao'an passed away, he went south to Mount Lu to serve the Venerable Yuan as his master. He extensively studied both Buddhist and secular texts; with his mind set on propagating the Dharma, he did not shrink from fatigue or hardship. Later, on Huiyuan's behalf, he entered the Pass to deliver letters to Kumārajīva; altogether he served as an emissary for more than ten years, stirring up style and influence and shaking the mountain peaks; forceful and resolute, when acting on independent missions he never brought disgrace.