續高僧傳 6.35

6.35

Shi Huikai, whose lay surname was Yuan, was a native of Haiyan in Wu Commandery. When he first left home, he became a disciple of Master Chong at Xuanwu Temple, studying the Abhidharma and the *Tattvasiddhi-śāstra* under him. During the Jianwu era, he travelled for study to the capital and resided at Daolin Temple, listening successively to the lectures on scriptures and treatises by the two masters [Kaishan Bao]zang and [Zhuangyan Seng]min. Later he moved to reside in Pengcheng. In his study he did not set fixed times; whatever passed his ears he never forgot. He often indulged in drinking, bantering, and board games for amusement, but whenever he encountered an unexpected, critical discussion, he was unable to respond in debate, stammering his words before gatherings of people. Later, he suddenly cast aside his former habits and devoted himself exclusively to the teachings of names [and reality]. Explaining and elucidating amidst the assembly, everyone rejoiced at what was newly heard. When it came to explaining terms and analysing principles, his adaptability was limitless; even when encountering formidable opponents with clever talk, rarely could any break his horns. His lecture series continued incessantly, and students rushed to him like shadows, causing his name and fame to be heard everywhere and known by all. Xie Hui of Chen Commandery deeply admired and appreciated him; when Xie went out to govern Yuzhang, he invited him to lecture and generously gave him alms. Before returning to the capital, Huikai had already distributed everything completely. Liu Ye of Pengcheng, when going out to govern Jin'an, knew that Huikai's dwelling was often destitute and sent him ten thousand cash; Huikai immediately relieved the cold and hungry, spending it all before the day was done. Ka's natural disposition was detached and unrestrained, never accumulating wealth or property—such was the nature of all his deeds. His heart was straightforward and casual, paying no heed to bodily decorum. When his garments became stained with dirt, he never conceived the thought of washing them; whenever companions could not bear it, they would take them off and wash them on his behalf. In the cold he would wrap himself in wadding while waiting for them to finish, and in summer he would hide beneath the mat until they dried. In the sixth year of the Tianjian era, he died at the age of thirty-nine. In the same temple was Tanjun, who achieved fame through itinerant study; he thoroughly mastered the various scriptures and was diligently devoted to ritual worship and recitation. His refined character was unchanging, flourishing all the more through cold and heat. Palace Attendant Wang Ci and his brothers, along with the Senior Clerk to the Minister of Education Jiang Ge and his brothers, all associated and travelled with him as friends.