高僧傳 8.37

8.37

Shi Sengrou's secular surname was Tao, and he was a native of Danyang. Pure and upright from youth, he already possessed the deportment of one who transcends the world. At the age of nine, he traveled for study following his uncle. His family had been impoverished for generations, not even having enough coarse greens and beans to eat; yet his resolve grew ever firmer, and his adherence to principle remained unchanged despite his poverty. Later, he went forth from home to become a disciple of Hongcheng. Cheng's secular surname was Lü, and he was a native of Linwei in Luoyang; his learning mastered both sūtras and treatises, and his fame had become manifest early on. After submitting himself [to Cheng], Rou diligently observed the precepts and thoroughly practiced dhyāna and wisdom (prajñā). Across the Fangdeng (vaipulya) scriptures and the various works of both the Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna, he completely penetrated their abstruse origins and profoundly grasped their essential doctrines. As soon as he passed the age of twenty, he mounted the lecture seat. The renowned guests of an entire generation all bowed facing north to study under him. Later, he traveled east to the Cave of Yu, where he met Dharma Master Huiji, who invited him to stay beside the city walls to lecture and discuss for one summer. Subsequently, he entered the Lingjiu Temple on Mount Bai in Shan. On the night before his arrival, the śramaṇa Sengxu dreamt that he saw spirit beings, clad in white armor and holding red banners, emerging across the mountain. Xu asked the reason, and they replied: 'A Dharma master is about to enter; therefore, we have come out to welcome him.' The next morning they waited for the person, and it was indeed Rou who arrived. Soon he swept and adorned the mountain gate, intending to live out his days there. He expounded the sūtras and pursued learning, and scholars gathered like a forest.