大明高僧傳 4.5

4.5

詔行邊。道出諸陵期督府法華寺。聞師高德乃趣。一沙彌逆至。見師敞衲曾不掩[髆-甫+一]祁寒無所侵。汪與督府避席禮之。携入洞中。坐石床與語。師略舉西來意。督府灑然信服。汪問千日畢能作常住乎。曰無常無住。明日辭歸。越旬有五日立春。羊山放光五色。又越七日除夕集眾告曰。元年元日吾當行矣。汝等識字者用耳聞經。不識字者用心念佛。務禪定智慧務濟物普心。即此是佛慎弗他求。汝等勉之。除夜既半命弟子視中星曰。夜午乎。曰午矣。師曰。未也。日午乃行。元日羊山復放五色光如嚮。至日中師辭眾坐化。越七日闍維復放光如嚮。大眾與諸中貴人望光對師羅拜曰。佛耶佛耶。願以此光普照下土。已而舍利纍然。督府治塔藏之。汪公為之銘。賞萬曆元年正月也。

an imperial edict to inspect the borders, passed by the imperial tombs along his route and planned to meet the Governor at Fahua Temple. Hearing of the Master's lofty virtue, he hastened to visit him. A novice monk came out to welcome them; they saw the Master's tattered patch-robe could not even cover his shoulders, yet severe cold could not afflict him. Wang and the Governor stepped aside from their seats and bowed to him, led him into a cave, sat on a stone bed, and conversed with him. The Master briefly presented the meaning of the [Patriarch's] coming from the West, and the Governor was cheerfully convinced and placed his trust in him. Wang asked, "When the one thousand days are completed, can you establish a permanent residence?" He replied, "There is neither impermanence nor abiding." The next day, they took their leave and returned. After fifteen days, at the Beginning of Spring, Mount Yang emitted five-colored light. After another seven days, on New Year's Eve, he gathered the assembly and announced, "On the first day of the first year, I shall depart. Those of you who are literate, use your ears to listen to the scriptures; those who are illiterate, use your minds to recite the Buddha's name. Apply yourselves to meditative concentration and wisdom; apply yourselves to benefiting beings with a universal mind. This very [mind] is the Buddha; take care not to seek elsewhere! Strive on, all of you!" In the middle of New Year's Eve, he instructed a disciple to observe the transit of the meridian star, asking, "Is it midnight?" The disciple said, "It is midnight." The Master said, "Not yet. At noon I shall depart." On New Year's Day, Mount Yang again emitted five-colored light as before. When midday arrived, the Master bade farewell to the assembly and passed away while sitting. After seven days, during the jhāpita, it again emitted light as before. The great assembly and various eunuchs gazed upon the light, stood before the Master, prostrated in rows, and exclaimed, "A Buddha! A Buddha! May this light universally illuminate the world below!" Soon after, śarīras were abundantly gathered. The Governor erected a stupa to enshrine them, and Lord Wang composed his inscription. This was in the first month of the first year of Wanli.