高僧傳 6.79

6.79

Shi Sengzhao was a native of Jingzhao. His family was poor, and he earned his living as a copyist; through copying manuscripts, he read extensively through the scriptures and histories, thoroughly mastering the ancient texts. He had a deep fondness for the dark and subtle, constantly taking Zhuangzi and Laozi as his essential guides. Once, when reading the 'De' section of Laozi, he sighed and said: 'Beautiful though it is, as a method for leading the spirit to transcend worldly entanglements, it is still not fully consummate.' Later, upon encountering the old translation of the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra, he rejoiced, received it atop his head, and perused and savoured it, saying: 'Now at last I know where to take refuge!' Thereupon he left the household. He studied thoroughly the Vaipulya scriptures and mastered all three piṭakas. By the time he reached the age of capping (twenty), his fame shook the region of the Pass and Capital. At that time, rivals vying for renown suspected that he had risen too prematurely, and some travelled a thousand li carrying their baggage to enter the Pass and debate him. Sengzhao, possessing both profound discernment and great skill in exposition, seized the moment to blunt their arguments, never hesitating or faltering. The veteran scholars of Jingzhao and the distinguished talents from beyond the Pass all yielded before his sharp eloquence, their self-confidence shattered.