宋高僧傳 7.16

7.16

Shi Zhenbian was a native of Zhongshan. In his youth he knew to transcend the worldly dust, and when grown he vowed to cultivate learning; his nature was so ascetic that others could not endure such distress. With single-minded devotion he listened and studied; in his spare time, he pricked his blood to write out scriptures, and also used blood from needle-pricks to paint standing images of Avalokiteśvara, Maitreya, and others. Once, while resting from exhaustion after circumambulation, two heavenly maidens came to harass him. Bian vowed to them, saying: "My mind is not a stone; I will subdue you with divine dhāraṇīs." The pair found no room to stay and left. From then on, his path triumphed, and māras left no trace. Bian carried his book box on his back and arrived at the city of Taiyuan to listen and study. At that time, the territory of the Wang family of Zhongshan bordered that of the Li family of the Later Tang; suspecting spies, outside monks were not permitted within the city of Bingzhou. Bian was consequently driven out, and thereupon lodged among ancient tombs in the wilderness. It happened that Emperor Wuhuang went out hunting, and the tomb lay within the hunting enclosure. Bian did not know this, and was just about to enter the city to attend a lecture when, seeing the banners and cavalry soldiers, he shrank back into the crypt. Emperor Wuhuang suspected him, ordered him captured and brought forward, and asked for the reason; they then inspected the tomb, where a grass mat was spread, and tables, inkstones, commentaries, and notes were laid out. The emperor thereupon ordered him brought into his mansion to receive offerings. At that time, Empress Dowager Cao deeply revered him. Bian appealed to the Empress Dowager, saying: "My sole desire is to study the Dharma; remaining long in the prince's palace brings no joy, but is like being in fetters." Emperor Wuhuang granted him his freedom, allowing him to complete his studies. When Wang Chuzhi was pacified, Bian returned to Zhongshan to lecture and instruct, repairing the old monastery, and all his wishes were fulfilled. A woman of the Chen family spread her hair over the ground and asked Bian to step on it. He composed a commentary on the *Sūtra on Maitreya's Rebirth Above*, which was valued by scholars, and was known at the time as *Bian's Commentary*. Later he died at this temple.