續高僧傳 16.36

16.36

釋法常。高齊時人。領徒講律有聲漳鄴。後講涅盤并授禪數。齊主崇為國師。以處眾囂雜枯折由生無俱利功。捐而至楚。後聞追之。變形革服一舉千里。又達衡岳。多處林野布衣乞食。又之荊硤。有僧法隱者。久住覆船山東嶺。誦法花維摩思益以為常業。而未閑心觀。後至松滋見常異操。乃歸而問津。遂默而不對。乃經一夏。涕泗滂沱方示心要。如說行者方知其趣。隱駐心自久繫念日新。深悟寂定不思議也。與故人胡君義別不值。題壁剋月日當遠行。至期果卒。後當將終語諸僧曰。吾今日作一覺長眠。便入室右脇而臥。明日怪眠不覺。看之久終。方悟長眠語矣。

Shi Fachang was a man of the Northern Qi. Leading assemblies to lecture on the Vinaya, he had renown in Zhang and Ye. Later he lectured on the Nirvāṇa [Sūtra] and taught meditation practices. The Qi ruler honored him as National Preceptor. Considering that dwelling in a noisy assembly brought dry wither and afforded no mutual benefit, he cast it aside and came to Chu. Later, hearing that pursuers were coming after him, he changed his appearance and altered his clothing, traveling a thousand li in a single leap. He reached Mount Heng, mostly living in the forests and wilds, wearing hemp clothes and begging for food. Then he went to Jing and Xia. There was a monk named Fayin who had long lived on the eastern peak of Mount Fuchuan, making it his constant practice to recite the Lotus, Vimalakīrti, and Viśeṣacintibrahma-paripṛcchā [sūtras], yet he was not skilled in mental contemplation. Later, arriving in Songzi, he saw Chang's extraordinary deportment, went to him, and sought guidance. [Chang] remained silent and did not reply. After an entire summer, with tears pouring down like rain, he finally revealed the mental essentials; only when one acts according to what is taught does one understand its purports. Yin kept his mind focused for a long time, renewing his mindfulness day by day, and deeply awakened to the wondrous nature of tranquil samādhi. When parting from his old friend Hu Junyi, he did not find him, so he wrote on the wall specifying the month and day when he would make a far journey. When the time came, he indeed passed away. When he was about to die, he told the monks, "Today I shall take a long sleep." He then entered his room and lay down on his right side. The next day, wondering that he did not awaken, they looked in on him and saw he had passed away long before; only then did they realize what he meant by "a long sleep."