高僧傳 9.42

9.42

At that time, the Grand Astrologer memorialized Hu, saying, 'The Immortal Star has appeared; an eminent scholar will enter our borders.' Hu issued a general decree to the provinces and commanderies that if there were any extraordinary person, it should be reported. In the eleventh month, winter of that year, the regional inspector of Qinzhou submitted a memorial escorting Daokai [to the capital]. At first he stayed in the shrine of Falin to the west of Ye, and later moved to the Zhaode Temple in Linzhang. Inside his room he constructed a two-story pavilion, some eight or nine chi high. At the top he wove sedge into a meditation chamber, the size of a ten-hu basket, in which he constantly sat. Hu provided him with lavish provisions, but Daokai bestowed them all as charity. At that time, many who delighted in immortality came to inquire, but Daokai did not answer them at all; instead, he spoke a verse, saying: / 'Pitying all suffering, / I renounced household life to benefit the world. / Benefiting the world requires learning clarity; / Learning clarity can sever evil. / In distant mountains grain is hard to find, / So I adopted this practice of abstaining from food. / I am not seeking immortal companions; / Please do not spread such rumors.'