續高僧傳 26.89

26.89

Śramaṇa Daosong, surnamed Liu, was a native of Hejian in Yingzhou. At thirteen he entered the monastic life. He traveled to hear lectures in Luoyang, consulting with the wise and illumined. All day long he was restless, paying no heed at all to his coarse, simple clothing. Encountering Dharma Master Huiyuan lecturing on various sūtras and treatises, he was steeped in them for a long time and thoroughly plumbed their subtle depths. He then entered the capital, and was esteemed by fellow scholars who admired doctrinal studies as a person of the aspiration for the Dao. When the Renshou pagodas were established, he received an imperial decree summoning him to escort relics to Suzhou. As the relics were about to arrive, a well roared and made sounds, ceasing only after two days. In digging the earth to make the foundation, an ancient brick casket was found, containing a silver box inside, from which one grain of relic was obtained. Placed in a water vase, it circled and displayed auspicious omens, and was enshrined together in the great pagoda. Song returned to the capital and resided at Zonghua Monastery. Tasting the Nirvāṇa [Sūtra], he practiced repentance accordingly. Bodily precepts, mind, and wisdom he held in reverence in their entirety. Beyond one bowl and three robes, he kept no surplus. Following the holy practice of the scriptures, he silenced the censures of the world. He then passed away from the world.