高僧傳 7.42

7.42

Shi Tanwucheng, whose secular surname was Ma, was a native of Fufeng. For generations, his family had fled troubles and relocated to Huanglong. At the age of thirteen, he underwent pravrajyā. His conduct and practice were pure and upright, and his spiritual understanding was peerless; before he even received full ordination, he was already adept in debate. Hearing that the venerable [Kumāra]jīva was in the Guanzhong region, he carried his book-box on his back to follow him. When he arrived and met Kumārajīva, Kumārajīva asked, "How was a novice able to come from so far?" He replied, "I came having heard of the Way." Kumārajīva thought very highly of him. Thereupon, Tanwucheng stayed to study, and his karmic capacity for wisdom grew ever deeper. Yao Xing said to Tanwucheng, "Ma Jichang (Ma Rong) was greatly learned and eminent, but was habitually proud in his era. You, Dharma Master, must surely not be like that." Tanwucheng replied, "Subduing the mind through the Way is done to eliminate this very fault." Yao Xing was greatly amazed by him and provided for him generously. When the Yao dynastic fortunes were about to end and the Guanzhong region became dangerous and turbulent, Tanwucheng rested at the Zhong Temple in Huainan. He alternately lectured on the Nirvāṇa[-sūtra] and the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā-sūtra, with over two hundred disciples receiving his instruction. Together with Yan Yanzhi and He Shangzhi, he discussed the true nature of reality (tathatā), debating back and forth until the morning. Tanwucheng then wrote the Treatise on the True Nature of Reality (Shixiang lun). He also composed the Treatise on Illuminating the Gradual [Path] (Mingjian lun). He died during the Yuanjia era of the Song dynasty at the age of sixty-four.