續高僧傳 26.59

26.59

Śramaṇa Tanhai was a native of Jiangdu. In his youth, he studied the Tattvasiddhi-śāstra along with various sūtras and treatises. He held the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra and the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra within his heart and mind. Although he was sometimes lacking in preaching the way, he was renowned for his wisdom and understanding. Whenever he went to Dharma assemblies, he frequently presented arguments and decisions, citing textual passages and principles such that scholars dreaded him. He always read sūtras so copious they filled boxes and hampers; he annotated hidden and obscure points, questioning the elders, all of whom paid respect to his refined treasury [of knowledge] and conversely had their own aspirations opened by him. Hai would then deliberate for them, resolving questions and clearing obstacles. Traveling through the regions to the left and right of the Yangtze for many years, his spread reputation was never falsified, and he truly gathered high esteem.

Formerly, when Emperor Yang was the Prince of Jin, he constructed monasteries in the capital and searched widely across all quarters; he invited Hai to come and reside [there]. The President of the Palace Secretariat, Xiao Cong, together with his entire household of brothers, traced and sought doctrinal learning; bowing with respect, they took refuge from their hearts and honoured him as their family monk. Accompanied by the young and old of the household, he constantly stayed within the residence. Morning and evening were joyous as they discussed correct principles purely for their awakening.

At the end of the Renshou era, an imperial decree ordered him to escort relics to Huangu Mountain and Shangu Monastery in Xizhou. An ancient tradition says: "In the past, there was a man of Qi named Guo Zhibian who frequently roamed the south of Huangu Mountain. The worldly esteemed him, and so it was named after him." This monastery was founded by Emperor Gaodi of the Southern Qi. Forested cliffs reflected one another, and pines and bamboos grew intermingled. Facing the Huan Stream in front and backed by precipitous ridges to the north, with the river winding around, it was truly a pure and scenic place. Hai toured this land and subsequently constructed a pagoda there. Originally, in the first month, at the place where the foundation was planned, golden light of about the thickness of a thread was repeatedly emitted; it ceased only after more than ten days. The relics arrived just in time to lay the foundation immediately; though not planned beforehand, it was as if they matched in perfect accord, and all rejoiced greatly. Furthermore, when he first arrived at the administrative seat, the weather had been extremely parched and sunny, so that people and creatures were scorched and thirsty; during the night a heavy rain fell, soaking high and low alike, and there was none who was not blessed. A red light was also emitted, flowing and shining like fire. After circumambulating for seven nights, a great light was emitted again, covering the mountains. More than five thousand people all received this auspicious omen; the repentance of sins and cultivation of merits were beyond description. Later he continued his former occupation until the end of the Sui dynasty. Afterwards he resided at Hongshan Monastery and died of illness at the age of eighty-three, at the beginning of the Wude era.