大明高僧傳 4.7

4.7

釋真節號素庵。襄陽人也。少為郡弟子。忽宿根內萌即辭割親愛。禮明休和尚祝髮。既而北遊京師。遍參講席。居秀法師座下饜餐法喜深得賢首之印。師之學富內外。諸方每以龍象推之。久之負錫南還金陵。出主攝山棲霞。眾逾三百教備五乘。據師子座撾大法鼓三十餘年。檀施之餘拓地為廬。時殷宗伯得琅琊大士像。五臺陸公亦鑄金像。悉歸師供奉。羅參知署曰圓通精舍。句曲李石麓學士盟為方外交。師闡大法不以期限。甞講法華經至多寶塔品。空忽現寶塔于座前一如經言。四眾跂觀灑然希覯。中使張某奉　　慈聖皇太后命至同覩聖瑞。乃出尚方金縷僧伽黎衣一襲。宣　　慈旨賜之。即於講堂之西建一浮屠以徵神化。汪道昆記其事。

Shi Zhenjie was styled Su'an. He was a native of Xiangyang. In his youth he was a student of the commandery school. Suddenly his past wholesome roots sprouted within, and he at once took leave of his beloved kin, bowing to Venerable Mingxiu to shave his hair. Afterwards, he traveled north to the capital, visiting lecture seats everywhere. Sitting under Dharma Master Xiu, he fully tasted the joy of the Dharma and profoundly attained the seal of Xianshou. The Master's learning was abundant in both the inner and outer teachings; all quarters consistently praised him as an elephant and dragon among men. After a long while, carrying his staff, he returned south to Jinling, coming forth to preside over Qixia on Mount She. His assembly exceeded three hundred, and his teachings encompassed the five vehicles. For more than thirty years he occupied the lion seat and struck the great Dharma drum. With the surplus of donations, he expanded the land to build lodgings. At that time, Minister of Rites Yin obtained an image of the Great Being of Langya, and Lord Lu of Wutai also cast a golden image; all were entrusted to the Master to be venerated. Vice Commissioner Luo inscribed the plaque as "Yuantong Hermitage." Academician Li Shilu of Gouqu pledged an exceptional friendship beyond worldly conventions with him. The Master expounded the great Dharma without setting time limits. Once, when lecturing on the *Lotus Sūtra* up to the "Chapter on the Many Treasures Stupa," a jeweled stupa suddenly appeared in the void before his seat, exactly as described in the scripture. The fourfold assembly gazed up in reverence, joyful at this rare sight. Palace Envoy Zhang, having arrived under the order of Empress Dowager Cisheng, witnessed this holy auspicious sign together with them. He then brought out a suit of imperial gold-threaded saṅghāṭī robe, proclaimed the benevolent decree, and bestowed it upon him. Right to the west of the lecture hall, a pagoda was constructed to bear witness to the divine transformation. Wang Daokun recorded this event.