宋高僧傳 5.6

5.6

Shi Hengjing was surnamed Wen and was a native of Dangyang. In the twenty-second year of the Zhenguan era (648), he was ordained by imperial order, and studied the Tripiṭaka, being able to recite upon hearing once, and acting in accordance with what was taught. Initially, he studied the vinaya under Vinaya Master Wengang; later, he entered Yuquan Temple on Mount Fuzhou to follow Chan Master Zhizhe (Zhiyi) in practicing the gate of calming and contemplation (śamatha-vipaśyanā). Ten li south of the temple he separately established an hermitage, which was known as Longxing. From the reigns of Empress Wu and Emperor Zhongzong, he was summoned into the palace three times to receive offerings and serve as an ordination master. In the third year of the Jinglong era (709), he submitted a petition requesting to return to his mountain, and an imperial decree granted his request. The Emperor ordered the Secretariat, the Chancellery, and the Academicians to host a vegetarian feast at the Daoist sanctuary within Linguang Palace. Previously, more than twenty eminent monks and practitioners of doctrinal conduct from throughout the empire had been summoned to cultivate blessings constantly in the inner palace; at this time, the feast was concluded, and Jing, along with Daojun and Xuanzang, were sent back each to his native place. The Emperor personally composed a poem, to which the Academicians wrote harmonizing verses—namely, Secretariat Director Li Qiao, Secretariat Drafter Li Yi, and several others. At that time, Jing and the others held the poems and shook their khakkharas as they traveled, which the whole empire counted an honor. Jing authored the Shun liaoyi lun (Treatise in Accord with Definite Meaning) in two scrolls, the She zhengfa lun (Treatise on Gathering the True Dharma) in seven scrolls, and the Foxing lun (Treatise on Buddha Nature) in two scrolls. Those who studied his teaching received it like the thirsty receiving drink. On the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month of the first year of the Xiantian era (712), he passed away at the temple where he resided, at the age of seventy-nine. His disciples buried him on the western plain of the temple.