續高僧傳 26.91

26.91

釋道顏。姓李氏。定州人。初學遠公涅槃十地。領牒樞紐。最所殷贍。仍頻講授門學聯塵。道啟東川開悟不少。後入京輦還住淨影寺。當遠盛世居宗紹業。仁壽中年。置塔赤縣。下勅徵召送舍利于桂州。初入州境。有鳥數千齊飛。行列來迎輿上。從野入城良久方散。及下安處。感五色雲靉靆垂布屯聚基上。餘便廓清日曜天地。後返京邑常尊上業。唐運惟新宇內尚梗。崇樹齋講相循淨影。因疾而卒。春秋七十餘。即武德五年矣。臨終清漱。手執香爐。若有所見奄然而逝。自顏之處世也。衣服麁素不妄朋從。行必以時情避嫌郄。言必詳審深惟物忤。又兼濟禽畜慈育在心。微經惱頓便即垂泣。不忽童稚不行楚叱。縱有輕陵事同風拂。顧諸屬曰。不久去也何煩累人。故於無常得其旨矣。

Śramaṇa Daoyan, surnamed Li, was a native of Dingzhou. At first he studied Master Yuan's Nirvāṇa and Daśabhūmika [teachings], grasping their essential outlines most abundantly. He frequently lectured on them, his disciples gathering in droves. Opening up the Dao in the eastern river lands, he brought not a little enlightenment. Later he entered the capital and returned to reside at Jingying Monastery. During Master Yuan's flourishing era, he upheld the tradition and carried on the lineage. In the middle of the Renshou era, when pagodas were established throughout the realm, an imperial decree summoned him to escort relics to Guizhou. When he first entered the provincial borders, several thousand birds flew in unison, arriving in formation to welcome the palanquin, following it from the countryside into the city, dispersing only after a long while. When it was placed and settled, five-colored clouds were felt hovering and spreading, gathering thickly over the foundation; elsewhere all was clear and bright, and the sun illuminated heaven and earth. Later he returned to the capital, constantly honoring the superior vocation. As the Tang dynasty had newly begun, the realm was still unsettled; holding fast to vegetarian fasts and lectures, they followed one another at Jingying Monastery. Due to illness he passed away, aged over seventy, in the fifth year of Wude. Approaching the end, he rinsed his mouth, held an incense burner in his hands, and as if seeing something, quietly passed away. Throughout Yan's life in the world, his clothes were coarse and plain, and he did not associate indiscriminately with companions. His travels were always timely, his mind avoiding suspicion and conflict. His words were always thorough and deliberate, deeply reflecting on offending others. Moreover, he aided birds and beasts, keeping compassionate nurturing in his heart; whenever they suffered slight torment or exhaustion, he would immediately weep. He did not look down on children and did not use harsh rebukes. Even if someone insulted or bullied him, it was as if a breeze brushed by. Looking at his associates, he said, 'I shall soon depart; why trouble others?' Thus he had truly grasped the meaning of impermanence.