續高僧傳 9.18

9.18

Shi Zhifang was a native of Zizhong in Shuchuan. His ancestors came from Eastern Wu, and a remote ancestor served as an official in Western Shu and made his home there. Zhifang went forth from home in childhood and stayed with Dharmabhāṇaka Lun at Longyuan Temple outside the prefectural city walls. Early on, he traveled with Baohai, and together they went to the capital Yangdu to study under Dharmabhāṇaka Yun. With his sharp wit and eloquence, his fame spread throughout Yangyue. Whenever he lectured and weighed doctrinal meanings, his refined expression flowed like a fountain, so that hundreds of gentry and commoners would constantly hold paper to record his words. When he first lectured on the Lotus Sūtra, reaching the loftiness and wonder of the "Apparition of the Jeweled Stupa" chapter, he prefaced it and explained its meaning, saying: "Why must only the ancient Buddha-lands possess such loftiness and wonder? The blessed land of Yangdu is also exceedingly magnificent: the seven-tiered Mitian [pagoda] rivals the sun and moon in brilliance, and the nine-storied Tongtai [pagoda] competes in splendor with the mist and clouds; square caissons hang inverted lotus leaves, and round cisterns lay out lotus flowers side by side. It resembles the dwelling of Anzhu in the south, and is akin to the stronghold of Niqie in the north. What we hear with our ears and see with our eyes can match them side by side." Those who recorded these words treasured them secretly and brought them back to the Yi region, where people gasped and marveled at them as extraordinary; for his spoken words formed polished compositions, appearing as though prepared long in advance. Baohai frequently came to pose challenging objections to bring out his brilliance. Thus Baohai asked: "The threefold transformation of this land turns impurity into purity; can it also transform ordinary beings into sages?" Zhifang replied: "The transformation Buddhas were very numerous, and because the land was narrow, it had to be expanded. Ordinary beings and sages are naturally as they are; why trouble to transform them?" Baohai objected further: "If so, then sixty minor kalpas seemed like a mealtime: this was seen only by sages, not by ordinary beings. If ordinary beings and sages both saw it, then ordinary beings and sages would all be sages." Zhifang laughed and said: "When did the High Seat [i.e., the sūtra] ever say this? You are simply creating your own objection to your own words." Baohai realized his error and bantered: "A square measuring-box has three corners; how can you be called 'Wise and Square' (Zhifang)?" Immediately, Zhifang retorted: "A filthy pool of broken tiles and stones; how can you be called an 'Ocean of Jewels' (Baohai)?" The assembly laughed heartily and dispersed. When Zhifang fell gravely ill, Baohai came constantly to visit and console him. Zhifang thanked him, saying: "I was unable to properly nurture my health, which brought about this severe illness. I have burdened you, benevolent one, to come and inquire after me so often. May I be reborn in a good place to constantly companion with you." Soon, an extraordinary fragrance filled the room, and he passed away in the middle of the night in the Yi region at an age of over ninety.