續高僧傳 6.28

6.28

Shi Huijiao, whose clan lineage is unknown, was a native of Shangyu in Kuaiji. His learning encompassed both internal and external traditions, and he was broadly instructive in the sūtras and vinaya. He resided at Jiaxiang Monastery. In spring and summer he propagated the Dharma, and in autumn and winter he engaged in writing. He composed the Niepan yishu (Commentary on the Meaning of the Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra) in ten fascicles and a commentary on the Fanwang jing (Brahmajāla Sūtra), which circulated in the world. Moreover, considering that the Mingseng zhuan (Biographies of Famous Monks) compiled by Master [Bao]chang had many omissions and imbalances, he consequently established rubrics to broaden and complete it, composing the Gaoseng zhuan (Biographies of Eminent Monks) in fourteen fascicles. His preface states in brief: 'Previous authors, perhaps disliking excessive length, abridged their accounts, and so omitted and pruned much that was extraordinary about their noble conduct. If they claim that when a renouncer of the household resides in a realm as a guest of kings, he should not aloofly keep his distance or rise alone in lofty seclusion—whereas abandoning worldly glory and forsaking affection is fundamentally valued because it differs from the mundane—then if this is not discussed, what after all should be recorded?' It also states: 'Those works compiled since former eras are mostly titled Famous Monks. Yet fame is fundamentally merely an adjunct to reality. If one's true practice is concealed in obscurity, one is eminent without being famous; if one has little virtue but suits the times, one is famous without being eminent. Those famous without being eminent originally should not be recorded; those eminent without being famous are fully included in the present record. Therefore I omit the sound "famous" (ming) and replace it with the word "eminent" (gao).' When the biography was completed, it circulated throughout the country and truly served as a mirror and guide. Its language and principles were clear and concise, and it was esteemed by the world. Later it was not known where he ended his days. South of the Yangtze there frequently exists Pei Ziye's Gaoseng zhuan in one case of ten fascicles; its text is extremely terse and brief, and does not reach a thorough overview, so it is somewhat inferior.