宋高僧傳 8.33

8.33

釋香育，姓李氏，濟陰人也。父為兗州掾。育有道性，常研習《莊》、《老》，根器奮發。俄於釋典留神，決捐俗態。趨滄州安定寺智元律師所，乞求削染。滿足戒後，精力律學，垂欲卒業。一旦辭師觀遊聖跡，陟天台，登南嶽，或入巖阿，或棲樹下，末至五臺。後參預秀師盛化，夙心相契，擊節希聲。秀問之，育答密若隱書，一皆開釋。秀默異之。在叢眾間，多歷年所，洞徹心源，則辭秀去。入富水大佛山，勁節安禪，卯前一食。州將韓閏篤欽其道，堅召出山。育稱疾而已。因是黑白之眾渴仰歸依，韓使君輜車繼運，供施交駢，樹造法堂，嚴飾奇麗，時來問道。韓侯問：「佛法已後事如何？」答云：「如同太虛，委在有力。」韓侯欽尚。徒眾常有千計，賢、不肖駮雜而居，往往聞有不測之僧預其聽受焉。一旦說法次，告眾曰：「善哉是會，遭遇者艱。須決所疑，無遣虛度。」命水滌盥，端坐而化，春秋七十有三矣。

Shi Xiangyu's secular surname was Li, and he was a native of Jiyin. His father served as a clerk in Yanzhou. Xiangyu possessed a nature inclined toward the Dao, often studying Zhuangzi and Laozi, with faculties vigorously unfolding. Soon, he directed his mind toward the Buddhist scriptures and resolved to cast off worldly ways. He hastened to Vinaya Master Zhiyuan at Anding Temple in Cangzhou, begging to have his head shaved and wear the dyed garments. After receiving the full precepts, he applied himself energetically to Vinaya studies and was on the verge of completing them. One day he took leave of his master to tour the sacred traces, ascending Mount Tiantai and climbing the Southern Peak (Mount Heng), sometimes entering craggy recesses or lodging beneath trees, and finally reaching Wutai. Later, he joined Master Xiu's flourishing teachings; their former aspirations harmonised, striking an accord as with rare music. When Xiu questioned him, Xiangyu's replies were as enigmatic as cryptic texts, yet all laid bare the essentials. Xiu silently marvelled at him. Among the assembly he spent many years, penetrating thoroughly to the source of the mind, and then took leave of Xiu and departed. He entered Mount Dafo in Fushui, steadfast in character as he settled in meditation, taking only one meal before the hour of mao. Han Run, the governor of the prefecture, deeply admired his virtue and persistently summoned him out of the mountains, but Xiangyu merely pleaded illness. Because of this, monastics and laypeople alike thirsted with reverence to take refuge in him. Governor Han sent baggage carts in steady succession, piling up offerings and provisions; he erected a Dharma hall adorned with extraordinary splendour and frequently came to inquire about the Dao. Lord Han asked, 'How will it be with the Buddha-Dharma hereafter?' Xiangyu replied, 'It is just like the great void; it depends entirely on those with power.' Lord Han revered him. His disciples regularly numbered in the thousands, worthy and unworthy mingling together; it was often heard that monks of unfathomable depth took part in his teachings. One day while expounding the Dharma, he addressed the assembly, saying, 'How wonderful is this gathering! Such an encounter is difficult to come by. You must resolve your doubts; do not let your time pass in vain.' He called for water to wash his hands and face, sat upright, and passed away at the age of seventy-three.