續高僧傳 26.49

26.49

Shi Zhiyin had the surname Li and was a native of Beizhou. He was a disciple of the Venerable Huayan Zang. From youth to adulthood, he revered and promoted the principles of the Way; whatever he received of wise comprehension, he never needed to ask twice. His spirit was exceptional and lofty, and he possessed an elegant penchant for pure detachment; when he occasionally spoke, his listeners forgot their fatigue. In the seventh year of the Kaihuang era, an imperial decree summoned bhadantas, and he entered the capital with Zang to reside at Daxingshan Temple. He was thoroughly versed in the Zhidu lun, the Abhidharmahṛdaya, and the Vajracchedikā-śāstra, illuminating their subtleties. By the sixteenth year, because his understanding was peerless and he was suited for continuing the transmission, an imperial decree appointed him as abbot of the doctrinal lecturing assembly to propagate the aforementioned texts at Jingzang Temple. When the Renshou era initiated meritorious deeds, an imperial decree sent relics to Faju Temple in Yizhou, which was a temple built by Xiu, Prince of Shu. When his moral presence reached Qiong and Shu, the work of converting and transforming flourished even more. They poured forth their gold and cowries, and the task was accomplished shortly. Later he was reverently dispatched to install a pagoda in Shenzhou. Heaven rained down extraordinary flowers, of which each person gathered half a ge; purple light was also emitted, transforming into the five colors. A blind person came to repent and suddenly gained sight in both eyes, casting aside his cane and returning home; those with paralysis and lameness were cured in like manner. When the relic was about to be entombed, heaven rained down silver flowers, and white lights were emitted multiple times. Just as it was being placed into the pagoda, five-colored clouds were evoked to descend and cover the reliquary casket, layered and round like an umbrella; six large birds circled among the clouds, all dispersing only after the closing was completed. Zhiyin reported these matters to the throne; the emperor was greatly pleased and consigned the account to the dynastic historians. He died in the capital.