宋高僧傳 30.36

30.36

釋𧦬光，字登封，姓吳氏，永嘉人也，唐史官左庶子兢之裔孫也。幼捨家於陶山寺剃度。居必介然，不與常人交雜。好自標遇，慢易緇流。多作古調詩，苦僻寡味，得句時有得色。長於草隷，聞陸希聲謫宦于豫章，光往謁之。陸恬靜而傲氣，居于舟中，凡多迴投刺，且不之許接。一日設方計干謁，與語數四，苦祈其草法，而授其五指撥鐙訣。光書體當見酋健，轉腕迴筆，非常所知。乃西上，昭宗詔對御榻前書，賜紫方袍。後謁華帥韓建，薦號曰廣利。自華下歸故鄉，謁武肅王錢氏，以客禮延之。而性畔岸，弗愜王情，乃歸甬東終焉。有文集，知音者所貴。出筆法弟子從瓌、溫州僧正智琮，皆得墨訣。有朝賢贈歌詩，吳內翰融、羅江東隱等五十家，僅成一集。時四明太守仰詮素重光高蹈，躬為喪主，理命令葬。後三年，准西域焚之，發棺儼若生相，髭髮爪皆長。茶毘收舍利，起小塔焉，則後唐長興中也。

Śramaṇa Bianguang, whose style was Dengfeng and secular surname was Wu, was a native of Yongjia and a descendant of Jing, the Tang historiographer and Mentor of the Left. In his youth, he left home and had his head shaved at Taoshan Temple. In his dwelling he was invariably unyielding and aloof, not mingling with ordinary people. He liked to elevate himself and looked down upon his fellow monks. He wrote many poems in the ancient style, which were bitter, eccentric, and sparse in flavor; whenever he captured a good line, a smug expression appeared on his face. He excelled in cursive and clerical script; hearing that Lu Xisheng was banished to serve in Yuzhang, Bianguang went to visit him. Lu was tranquil yet haughty, residing on a boat; Bianguang submitted his calling card many times, but Lu would not grant him an audience. One day Bianguang devised a stratagem to gain entrance, spoke with him several times, and earnestly begged for his method of cursive calligraphy, whereupon Lu transmitted to him the secret of 'stirrup-flicking with five fingers.' Bianguang's calligraphic style instantly revealed strength and vigor, turning the wrist and revolving the brush beyond ordinary comprehension. He then traveled west to the capital; Emperor Zhaozong summoned him to an audience to write before the imperial couch and bestowed upon him a purple rectangular robe. Later he visited Han Jian, the military governor of Hua, who recommended him for the title Guangli. Returning to his home region from Mount Hua, he visited King Wusu of the Qian clan, who received him with guest etiquette. But as his nature was recalcitrant, he did not suit the king's pleasure, so he returned to Yongdong to spend his remaining days. He left a literary collection, prized by those who understood his tone. His disciples who learned his brush technique, Conggui and the saṅgha director of Wenzhou, Zhicong, both obtained his secrets of ink. Court notables presented him with songs and poems; there were fifty authors, including Hanlin Academician Wu Rong and Luo Yin of Jiangdong, just enough to form one collection. At that time, Yang Quan, the prefect of Siming, had always esteemed Bianguang's lofty retirement; he personally acted as the host of the funeral, organizing and ordering his burial. Three years later, following the Western Regions' custom of cremation, they opened the coffin; his appearance was as dignified as in life, with his beard, hair, and nails all having grown. They cremated him, collected the śarīra, and erected a small stupa; this was during the Changxing era of the Later Tang.