續高僧傳 6.31

6.31

Shi Sengmi, whose lay surname is unknown, was a native of Le'an. Before he was even strong enough to wear adult clothes, he underwent the tonsure. From his youth he was quick to comprehend, and his intuitive understanding surpassed others. By the age of sixteen, his study companions were like a forest; they illuminated and guided one another, and his reputation was heard throughout the hometown. Desiring to broaden his sights and hearing, his teacher would not permit it. Because of this, he slipped away in secret, left the temple, and received instruction under the śramaṇa Daoming. Within one or two years, his fame covered the seas. At the beginning of the Taishi era, he crossed the Yangzi River and resided at Zhuangyan Temple. His capacity and renown were solid and refined, and his deportment was lofty and elegant. The fivefold assembly revered and deferred to him, and the seven ranks of nobles honoured him with wonder. He was profound, deliberate, and upright, never entangling his mind with gains or losses. Although he lived together among the assembly, none could measure his depth. People of the time compared him to Fatai, which was considered quite an accurate assessment. He repeatedly occupied the southern seat, and his followers were extremely numerous. There was no scripture he did not lecture on; he took special pride in the *Tattvasiddhi*, displaying his originality and high spirit. In elevated discussions, there were few to whom he would defer. Men of lesser talent holding official posts were unable to appreciate him, and secretly slandered him before the Prince of Jingling. Mi did not defend his innocence, leaving them to record his guilt. A memorial was then submitted banishing him to Huainan. Over thirty scholars followed him, and they continued lecturing and transforming people in succession. In the fourth year of the Tianjian era, he died north of the Yangzi at the age of seventy-three.