續高僧傳 26.61

26.61

Śramaṇa Sengshun was a native of Beizhou. He studied the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, examining texts and commentaries with meticulous scrutiny; resolute in his endeavors, he could endure hardships. He always rejoiced in propagating the Dharma within prisons. Having no cause to be detained, he falsely confessed to shield the innocent; once the documents took effect, he conveniently cleared the other person. Casting himself into fetters, his feelings and aspirations were joyful and at ease. The prison warden took pity on his distress and wished to release him; [Shun] then took out sūtras and commentaries, spread them out, and read them carefully, expounding the Dharma and converting the prisoners beside him. Since the matter originally had no trace of reality, he was again granted release. On the day he left prison, he still regretted that it was too early. Someone asked him the reason, and he replied: "I have heard that the holy ones transformed beings in hell. Although I cannot match them, I may still engage in this humble path."

When the Dharma flourished in the Kaihuang era, he walked with a staff into the passes, seeking sūtras and treatises, and resided at Xuanfa Monastery. Later, when pagodas were constructed, an imperial decree summoned him to escort relics to Songzhou. When he first arrived at Songcheng, an old well in the market had long been salty and bitter, and the water was red; no one dared taste it. When the relics arrived, its colour suddenly turned white and its taste became sweet like honey. When he reached the place where the pagoda was being constructed, it first emitted a red light and then emitted a white light, illuminating the entire monastery. On the seventh day, at the hour of the Dragon (7:00–9:00 AM), the sky rained white flowers like snow that did not fall, fluttering and filling the sky. When the pagoda was being enclosed, nine white cranes flew and soared above the pagoda; only after the casket was lowered did they fly to the north.

Shun later returned to the capital, roaming and pursuing his vocation. At the beginning of the Tang dynasty, he wandered and dwelt between the mountains and the world. As his years grew late, he wished to settle his mind at the end; traveling to Mount Li on the south foot of the Ba River, he encountered an ancient monastery whose grottoes had collapsed, with statues lying scattered about. He immediately stayed to restore it; seeing that there were previous overseers, he submitted a memorial requesting the special permission of Emperor Gaozu, and thus was able to settle and restore it. This is the present Jinliang Monastery. The Vice Director of the Right, Xiao Yu, served as the great dāna-pati; all the provisions for meritorious deeds were supplied from the State of Song. The assembly of monks was abundant and orderly. Shun later passed away at his residing monastery, at the age of over eighty.