宋高僧傳 3.6

3.6

Shi Zhiyan, surnamed Yuchi, was originally a hostage prince from the Kingdom of Khotan, named Yue. By nature intelligent and sharp, he was registered at the Court of State Ceremonial and was granted the titles ‘Grand General of the Left Militant Guard and Pillar of the State’ and enfeoffed as the ‘Duke of Jinman Commandery’. Yet he deeply abhorred worldly toils and wished only to cast them off like worn slippers. In the fifth month of the second year of the Shenlong era [706], he petitioned the throne requesting to convert his private residence into a monastery; an imperial decree granted this and gave it the plaque inscribed ‘Feng’en’ [Repaying Grace]. In succession, he requested permission to relinquish his office and enter the religious path, which was granted by imperial rescript on the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month. On the fifth day of the eleventh month of the first year of the Jinglong era [707], the birthday of Emperor Xiaohuade [Zhongzong], he was tonsured and dyed his robes. Soon afterward, he received an imperial decree to translate scriptures at this temple, frequently serving as the verifier of Sanskrit texts; in the completion of these sūtras, Yan contributed greatly. Yan retranslated the Sūtra on the Dhāraṇī of the Gate of Boundless Birth. Later, he practiced dhūta austerities in the Shibie Valley and also served as the sthavira of Zhixiang Temple on Mount Zhongnan. Embodying the Way and acting with harmony, he conducted himself with purity and circumspection. His death is unrecorded.