續高僧傳 5.17

5.17

釋法護。姓張。東平人。初以廉直居性不耐貪叨。年始十三而善於草隷。其師道邕亦有清風。撫其首曰。觀汝意氣必能振發遺法。及至受戒仍遭父憂。居喪房內經涉四載不預法事。禮畢羸瘠不堪隨眾。宋孝建中。來都遊觀住建元寺。雅好博古多講經論。常以毘曇命家。弗尚流俗言去浮華。不求適會趣通文理。從其學者百有餘人。齊竟陵王。總校玄釋定其虛實。仍於法雲寺建竪義齋。以護為標領。解釋膠結每無遺滯。物益懷之。遠有曠度不交榮俗。凡所遊往必皆名輩。齊侍中陳留阮韜。光祿阮晦。中書侍郎汝南周顒。並虛心禮待未嘗廢也。自從天子至于侯伯。不與一人遊狎。皎然獨坐勗勵門徒。無營苟利。惟以經數仁義存懷。以天監六年卒于住所。春秋六十有九。時新安寺智遠。天保寺僧達。並以勤學有功。遠幼懷清靜守志不競。講說大乘好修福務。達平和開拓頗自矜尚。

Shi Fahu was surnamed Zhang and was a native of Dongping. Naturally honest and upright, he could not tolerate greed or covetousness. At just thirteen years of age, he was skilled in cursive and clerical scripts. His master, Daoyong, was also characterized by a pure manner. Stroking his head, he said: 'Seeing your spirit, you will surely be able to revitalize the transmitted Dharma.' When he was ordained, he experienced the death of his father; he remained in mourning inside his room for four years, taking no part in Dharma events. When the mourning rites were concluded, he was so emaciated that he could not keep up with the monastic community. During the Xiaojian era of the Song, he traveled to the capital to sightsee and stayed at Jianyuan Monastery. Elegant and fond of antiquity, he frequently lectured on the sūtras and treatises, constantly specializing in Abhidharma. He did not admire vulgar customs; his speech eschewed superficial rhetoric, and he did not seek mere worldly accommodation, aiming instead to penetrate textual principles. Over a hundred students followed him. Prince Jingling of Qi compiled and collated profound commentaries to determine their authenticity, and subsequently established an interpretive debate assembly at Fayun Monastery, taking Fahu as the leader. In resolving entanglements and knots, he never left any point obscure; people respected him all the more. Having a vast and detached demeanor, he did not mingle with the illustrious mundane world; all those with whom he associated were necessarily illustrious figures. Ruan Tao, Palace Attendant of Chenliu, Ruan Hui, Guanglu [Dafu], and Zhou Yong, Palace Mid-Secretariat Attendant of Runan, all treated him with humility and respect, never neglecting him. From the Son of Heaven down to the marquises and earls, he did not associate intimately with a single one. Shining brightly, he sat alone, exhorting his disciples. Free from the pursuit of petty profit, he kept in mind only the scriptures, benevolence, and righteousness. In the sixth year of the Tianjian era, he died at his residence at the age of sixty-nine. At that time, Zhiyuan of Xin'an Monastery and Sengda of Tianbao Monastery both achieved merit through diligent study. From his youth, Zhiyuan possessed a pure and tranquil mind, maintaining his resolve without competing; he lectured on the Mahāyāna and was fond of cultivating meritorious deeds. Sengda was gentle, expansive, and rather proud of his achievements.