高僧傳 7.92

7.92

Shi Daoyou was a native of Wu. Originally a disciple of Master Zhu Daosheng, he accompanied his master to Mount Lu; after his master passed away, he lived in seclusion in the mountains of Linchuan commandery. There he saw the newly translated Śrīmālādevī-siṃhanāda-sūtra, and unrolling the scroll he sighed, saying: 'My late master's former doctrines silently accord with this scripture. But years wait for no man, and the scripture was compiled after the doctrine; this is truly lamentable!' Thereupon he commented on the Śrīmālādevī-sūtra to assist in making known his master's bequeathed teachings, in five fascicles in all, but its style was burdensome and it did not circulate. Emperor Wen of Song asked Huiguan: 'Who still studies the doctrine of sudden awakening?' Huiguan replied: 'Master Daosheng's disciple Daoyou.' An imperial decree was immediately sent to Linchuan commandery to dispatch him to the capital. When he arrived, he was invited into the palace, and a great assembly of doctrinal monks was convened to have Daoyou set forth the sudden awakening. At that time, those eager to debate raised challenges against one another. Since Daoyou had long pondered and penetrated the profound, and his teaching stemmed from an authentic source, he seized every opportunity to blunt their sharpness, breaking their spearheads wherever he went. The emperor slapped the table and shouted in approval. When Emperor Xiaowu ascended the throne, he held him in even higher esteem, decreeing that he reside at Xin'an Temple as the presiding master of the temple. The emperor frequently praised him, saying: 'Master Sheng had solitary sentiment and transcendent insight; Master You took the reins and ascended alone. He may be called one who truly carries on his master's craft without disgracing his illustrious fame.' He died in the Yuanhui era of the Song, at the age of seventy-one.