高僧傳 9.16

9.16

At that time Deng stayed in the Middle Monastery within the city of Ye, and sent his disciple Fachang north to Xiangguo. His disciple Fazuo was returning from Xiangguo, and they met beneath the city of Liangji where they stayed together overnight. Facing carriages, they conversed into the night, touching upon the Master; by dawn, each went his way. When Fazuo arrived, he had just entered to pay his respects to Deng. Deng smiled welcomingly and said: "Last night, when you and Fachang drew your carriages together, were you speaking together of your master? The ancients had a saying: 'Is it not reverence? Even in the dark, it does not alter. Is it not vigilance? Even when alone, it does not slacken.' Being in the dark and alone is the root of reverence and vigilance; did you not understand this?" Zuo was startled, ashamed, and repentant. Thereupon the people of the state often said to one another: "Do not give rise to an evil thought; the Master knows you." And wherever Deng was, none dared to spit or relieve themselves toward his direction.