[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Buddhist Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha) › [Taishō Tripiṭaka (Chinese Buddhist canon)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho) › [宋高僧傳](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061) › 8.35 # 宋高僧傳 8.35 宋高僧傳 8.35 - **Language:** Classical Chinese ### [8.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061.8.35) 釋藏師，姓王氏，趙郡人也。父為亳州掾。稚齒尋師，居然慕法，而性好獨處。譙多厲鬼，持魅於人。藏七歲，隻影閑房，孤形逈野，甞無少畏。至年長，彌見挺拔，故號降魔藏歟。請列青衿于廣福院明讚禪師，師意其法器，乃發擿之，應對辯給，答出問表。因留執事，服勤受法，俾誦《法華》，踰月徹部，登即剃落，受具習律焉。次講南宗論，大機將發。俄投麈尾，九州靈跡罕不登升。後往遇北宗鼎盛，便誓依棲。秀問曰：「汝名降魔，我此無山精木怪，汝翻作魔邪？」曰：「有佛有魔。」秀云：「汝若是魔，必住不思議境界也。」曰：「是佛亦空，何不思議之有？」時眾莫不異而欽之。先是秀師懸記之：「汝與少皞之墟有緣。」尋入泰山數年，學者臻萃，供億克周，為金輿谷朗公行化之亞也。一日，告門人曰：「吾今老朽，物極有歸，正是其時。」言訖而終。春秋九十一矣。 > Shi Zang's secular surname was Wang, and he was a native of Zhaojun. His father served as a clerk in Bozhou. In early youth he sought a master, manifestly yearning for the Dharma, and by nature he loved solitude. Qiao was rife with violent spirits that bewitched people. At the age of seven, Zang would stay alone in empty rooms or solitary in desolate wastes, never showing the least fear. As he grew older, he showed himself even more outstanding, which was why he was titled 'Xiangmo' (Demon-Subduing) Zang. He requested to be enrolled among the novices under Chan Master Mingzan at Guangfu Cloister. The master, sensing he was a vessel of the Dharma, tested him; Zang's responses were fluent and eloquent, extending beyond the questions. Thereupon the master kept him for attendant duties, where he served diligently and received the Dharma, and had him recite the Lotus Sūtra; in barely a month he mastered the entire work. He was forthwith shaved, received the full precepts, and studied the vinaya. Next he lectured on the Treatise of the Southern School, and his great potential was about to manifest. Soon he set aside the deer-tail flywhisk; there was hardly a sacred trace throughout the Nine Provinces that he did not ascend. Later he encountered the Northern School at its peak and vowed to dwell under its shelter. Xiu asked him, 'Your name is Xiangmo; I have no mountain sprites or tree demons here, so have you come to play the demon instead?' Zang said, 'Where there is a Buddha, there is a demon.' Xiu said, 'If you are a demon, you must abide in an inconceivable realm.' Zang replied, 'Even the Buddha is empty—what inconceivable is there?' The assembly at that time all marveled at him and revered him. Previously, Master Xiu had foretold: 'You have an affinity with the lands of Shaohao.' Soon after, he entered Mount Tai for several years; scholars gathered like clouds, and offerings were abundant and sufficient, placing him second only to Master Lang of the Jinyu Valley in his conversion of people. One day, he told his disciples, 'I am old and decrepit now; when things reach their extreme they return to their origin, and this is truly the time.' Having spoken, he passed away at the age of ninety-one. > — English (machine translation) (machine translation) - [Previous: 8.34](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061.8.34) - [Next: 8.36](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061.8.36) - [Up: 8](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061.8) ## Translations (1) - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061~en-mt.8.35) — English, machine translation ## Linked texts (1) - [景德傳燈錄](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2076.4.48) — Classical Chinese --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061.8.35](https://indike.org/pramana/in.bauddha.taisho.2061.8.35) · Pramāṇa