續高僧傳 26.63

26.63

Śramaṇa Sengshi was a native of Qingzhou. Bearing his book cases to inquire after the Way, he made no distinction between easy and perilous paths; looking at his travels, they roughly spanned the cardinal mountains. His heroic spirit was such that its sharp edge was hard to withstand; at that time, the Daśabhūmika-śāstra was his strength, and he especially loved eloquence, possessing abundant words and layered refutations, his name renowned across Qi and Lu. In the Kaihuang era, he entered the capital and resided at Xingshan Monastery; continually attending lecture assemblies, he was sure to engage in debate and adjudication.

In the Renshou era, an imperial decree summoned him to escort relics to Hongzang Monastery in Laizhou. In the fourth year, another decree ordered him to escort [relics] to Maosheng Monastery in Mizhou. On the journey, he reached Qingzhou and stayed at Daozang Monastery. At night, a red light was emitted; it came out from his room and pointed straight southeast. That night, within the city of Mizhou, light was also seen coming from the northwest, resembling torches with clustered flames that were not just one; circling inside and outside the city, it was as clear and bright as the sun, and everyone who had eyes saw it together. Only later, when they investigated the matter, did they realize it was a prior announcement. When he arrived at the administrative seat, light was emitted for two nights, encircling the city as clearly and brightly as before, without difference. When Shi lifted the vase intending to show it to the great assembly, it suddenly disappeared. Later, when they reached the monastery pagoda, a great light was emitted again, illuminating the entire monastery. On the first day of circumambulation, as they struck the pole to teach and convert, two relics appeared within the vase. When the stone casket was made, it suddenly transformed into gold, of the size of jujubes and beans, intermingled at the bottom of the casket; the remaining parts all transformed into blue lapis lazuli. They accordingly drew pictures and submitted a memorial, and the Emperor was greatly pleased. Later he returned to the capital, and soon after, he passed away.