續高僧傳 26.70

26.70

Śramaṇa Baoxian was a native of Zhengzhou. He was a disciple of the Vinaya Master Baozhen. While still a youth under [Baozhen’s] tutelage, he already observed the disciplinary regulations. Discerning and assessing his own capacities, he fully received the great Dharma. On the day he received the full precepts, he simply observed the textual injunctions; as for the models of conduct, he was already thoroughly familiar with them beforehand. In him, disciple and master were united; in him, the great vocation was magnified. At the beginning of the Kaihuang era, he accompanied Zhen to reside at Daxingshan Temple. His deportment was harmonious and disciplined, and his speech never touched upon secular matters. Receiving an imperial edict in the Renshou era, he was ordered to establish a pagoda in Hongzhou, the former territory of Yuzhang. Setting out for that prefecture, his route was blocked by the river: having lost the main current, the ship was trapped in mud and could not advance. Their strength nearly exhausted, there was no way forward; as the deadline drew near, both monastics and laity were filled with anxiety. Xian therefore placed his trust in the relics and prayed for safe passage. Suddenly, a white bird descended, flying slowly in front of the boat, flitting to and fro as if guiding them. He immediately ordered the boat to follow it, whereupon they found a channel of deep water. Sailing through the night, they arrived safely without impediment. Xian returned to the capital and died of an illness shortly thereafter.