高僧傳 7.3

7.3

Zhu Daosheng's original surname was Wei. He was a man of Julu who resided in Pengcheng. His family had been officials for generations; his father was Magistrate of Guangqi, renowned in the local community as a virtuous man. From childhood, Daosheng was sharp-witted, intelligent, and insightful as if divine. His father, knowing he was no ordinary vessel, cherished him and treated him as exceptional. Later, he met the śramaṇa Zhu Fatai, whereupon he abandoned secular life to take refuge, submitting himself to receive instruction. Once he entered the gate of the Dharma, his brilliant thought was extraordinarily outstanding; as soon as he studied and savored the phrases and meanings, he attained spontaneous comprehension. Thus, at the age of fifteen, when one's will is set on learning, he ascended the lecturing seat; his delivery and debating skills were pure and resonant as pearls and jade, so that even long-esteemed scholar-monks and renowned gentlemen of the age all found their arguments broken and words exhausted, none daring to contend with him. By the time he reached the age for full ordination, his discernment and insight deepened day by day; his character was alert and acute, and his spiritual bearing serene and solemn. He first entered Mount Lu, living in secluded retreat for seven years to pursue his aspirations. Always regarding wisdom and understanding as the basis and essential key to entering the Way, he delved into the various sūtras and weighed the miscellaneous treatises, traveling ten thousand li in pursuit of the Dharma without dreading fatigue or hardship. Later, together with Huirui and Huiyan, he traveled to Chang'an and studied under Master Kumārajīva. The monastic assembly in the Guanzhong region all considered him to possess divine comprehension. Later he returned to the capital and stayed at Qingyuan Temple. The temple had been founded by the Jin empress Gongsisi, née Chu; it was originally a place where indigo was planted, and took its name from that. As Daosheng was a master of the Dharma of his time, he was invited to dwell there. Emperor Wen, Taizu of the Song, held him in deep admiration and esteem. Later, Taizu hosted a feast; the Emperor personally sat with the assembly on the ground mats. The meal having been served for quite a while, all in the assembly suspected that the hour was late. The Emperor said: "It is just now noon." Daosheng said: "The bright sun adorns the sky, and since the Son of Heaven says it is just noon, how could it not be noon?" He then took up his bowl and ate, whereupon the whole assembly followed suit, none failing to praise him for striking the golden mean with his tactful adaptability. Wang Hong, Fan Tai, and Yan Yanzhi all admired and revered his style and demeanour, and sought instruction in the Way from him.