宋高僧傳 21.35

21.35

釋本淨者，未詳何許人也。道氣高抗，人覩肅然。響閩嶺多禪宗知識，故歷參之。聞長溪縣霍童山多神仙洞府，乃經中所謂天冠菩薩領徒侶居此說《華嚴》性海法。採樵者多聞天樂異香，鳥獸之瑞。然山中不容凡惡，故多被斥逐。淨入山結茅為室，有石穴謂之毒窟。淨居于穴側，其龍夭矯而出，變現無恒，遂呼召之而馴擾焉。又諸猛虎橫路為害，採樵者不敢深入，淨撫其頭，誡約丁寧，弭耳而去。甞清宵，有九人冠幘袴褶稱寄宿，盡納諸庵內。明旦告辭，偕化為鶴，鳴唳空中而去。淨罔知其終也。

Shi Benjing's origins are unknown. His spiritual bearing was lofty and uncompromising, inspiring solemn reverence in those who saw him. Having heard that the Min ranges had many Chan good friends, he visited them one after another. Hearing that Mount Huotong in Changxi County had many grottos of immortals—which is where, according to the sūtra, the Bodhisattva of the Heavenly Crown leads disciples to reside and preach the Dharma of the Avataṃsaka's nature-ocean—woodcutters frequently heard heavenly music and wondrous fragrance, and saw auspicious signs of birds and beasts. Yet the mountain did not tolerate common or wicked folk, who were mostly driven away. Jing entered the mountain and thatched a hut for a dwelling. There was a stone cave called the Venomous Cavern; Jing lived beside the cave. Its dragon leaped and twisted forth, transforming inconstantly, but Jing summoned it and tamed it. Furthermore, ferocious tigers blocked the road and caused harm, so that woodcutters dared not enter deep; Jing stroked their heads and cautioned them earnestly, and they drooped their ears and left. Once, on a clear night, nine men wearing caps and riding-tunics asked for lodging, and he accommodated them all inside the hermitage. The next morning they took their leave, and together transformed into cranes, crying out in the air as they flew away. It is unknown where Jing met his end.