續高僧傳 26.56

26.56

Śramaṇa Daocan was a native of Hengzhou. His intellectual learning was divine; he probed deeply into the Mahāyānasaṃgraha, the Avataṃsaka, and the Daśabhūmika, comprehending the deep, hidden meanings and grasping their essential points. His will favoured seclusion and tranquility, not pursuing luxury, valuing righteousness and disdaining wealth from youth to old age. Later, he entered the imperial capital and resided at Shengguang Monastery, seeking the Way and looking for virtuous teachers, wandering restlessly without settling. When the Renshou stūpas were built, an imperial decree summoned him to convey relics to Bianxing Monastery in Xuzhou. When he first arrived at the stūpa monastery, the Buddha statue in the hall, which had never displayed spiritual marvels before, suddenly emitted a great light that brightly illuminated the courtyard and buildings. The relics leaped up to the surface of the golden vial and emitted radiance, revolving around the vial. As the weather was sweltering, just as they were about to enter the stūpa, clouds were moved to shield the sun, dispersing only after the enshrinement was completed. Furthermore, they constructed a pond beside the stūpa to make offerings, and thereby discovered an ancient well; its water was deep, clear, soft, and sweet. The whole prefecture drew water entirely from this well, yet it never dried up or grew turbid, and none failed to sigh in admiration. Daocan's end was later unknown.