高僧傳 8.55

8.55

Shi Fa'an, surnamed Bi, was a native of Dongping. He was a descendant of Gui, the Colonel Director of Retainers of the Wei dynasty. At the age of seven he went forth from household life and served Huiguang of Baima Temple as his master. Huiguang had been brilliant and outstanding from his youth, comprehensively versed in both inner and outer learning, and acquainted with a vast array of lore. When Fa'an was in the novitiate stage of "resting loving-kindness," his spirits and talent were already preeminent. At that time Zhang Yong invited Master Bin to lecture and summoned noted scholars. Yong asked Bin, "Are there any outstanding youths in the capital?" Bin replied, "There are the śrāmaṇeras Daohui, Fa'an, Sengba, and Huixi." Yong at once invited them. He had Daohui review the Nirvāṇa-sūtra and Fa'an expound the Buddha-nature; [Fa'an's] expression was calm and composed, pouring forth his discourse without omitting anything. Yong asked their ages; Hui answered nineteen, and An answered eighteen. Yong sighed and said, "In ancient times, Zhu Bo of Fufeng was able to recite texts and chant poetry at the age of twelve, and the people of his day called him a child prodigy. Today these two men of the Way can be called masters of doctrine in their youth!" Thereupon his renown flourished at the imperial capital and spread afar in all directions. By the time he reached his thirties, he served exclusively as an authoritative Dharma master.