高僧傳 7.39

7.39

Shi Tanjian, whose secular surname was Zhao, was a native of Jizhou. He underwent pravrajyā in his youth and served Zhu Daozu as his master. Eating vegetarian food and wearing coarse cloth, he was rigorous and austere in his discipline. He investigated the various sūtras thoroughly and was also adept in the Abhidharma. Hearing that the venerable [Kumāra]jīva was in the Guanzhong region, he leaned on his staff and went to study under him. Kumārajīva often said that Tanjian was one who retains everything upon hearing it once. Later, he traveled through various regions to propagate and transform [the people]. Arriving in Jingzhou, he stayed at the Xin Temple in Jiangling. When he reached sixty years of age, his practice became even purer. He constantly vowed to be born in the Land of Peaceful Nurture (Sukhāvatī) and behold Amitābha. Later, his disciple Sengji took leave to go to Shangming. Tanjian said, "It is fine for you to go, but I fear we will not see each other again." He then entrusted his affairs to him with detailed written instructions. When night fell, he discussed impermanence with the elders, his words deeply heartfelt. When the night grew late, each returned to his room, but Tanjian remained alone, walking under the corridor. At the third watch, the novice Sengyuan invited him to return to his room. Tanjian said, "Just go to sleep; you need not come again." The next morning, his disciple Huiyan went to pay respects as usual. He saw Tanjian sitting upright with palms joined, yet not speaking. Approaching to inspect him closely, he was indeed already dead. His body was soft and supple, and its fragrance and cleanliness were twice what was customary; they straightened him out and placed him in the coffin. He was seventy years of age. Zhang Bian of Wujun wrote a biography and a eulogy for him. The eulogy said: "Donning sweet grass to display fragrance, / Grasping fine jade to show purity. / Pure and deep, the Dharma Master / Was never blackened nor stained. / Brilliant in the morning of his life, / Flourishing in the autumn of his years. / His spirit roaming, his wisdom departed, / How could this truly be a final farewell?"