大明高僧傳 8.14

8.14

釋曇密號混源。天台盧氏子也。生即英敏頴異匪凡。幼失廕天志懷高邁。初依邑之資福道榮研窮竺教。十六圓具足戒登大僧籍。大小律部瑩無瑕疵。精習天台教觀。而於頓漸偏圓性具理毒之旨如指諸掌。一日歎曰。教乘之妙無得而稱。但未離於名言終非見性。不若更衣從別傳之學。倘有隙見足快生平。聞大慧唱道徑山。腰包禮謁。又訪雪巢一此庵元諸公。皆無省發。於是從閩而之泉南。投教忠光和尚。俾職維那。聞忠舉香嚴擊竹因緣。豁然契悟呈偈。忠詰玄沙未徹之語。對酧無滯。始囑曰。子此後方可見大慧也。於是受教辭往梅陽。服勤四載。慧甞登座焉。出世奉詔住持淨慈大弘教忠之道。戶外之履常滿。示寂塔于本山之西北隅。

Śramaṇa Shi Danmi, styled Hunyuan, was a son of the Lu family of Tiantai. Born quick-witted and exceptionally gifted, he was no ordinary person. Having lost his father in childhood, he harbored lofty and far-reaching aspirations. At first he relied on Daorong of Zifu in his home county to thoroughly investigate the Indian teachings. At sixteen he received the full precepts and was enrolled among the great monks. His [observance of] the greater and lesser Vinaya divisions was pure and spotless. He thoroughly studied the Tiantai teachings and contemplations, and was as clear on the tenets of sudden, gradual, biased, perfect, innate nature, and rational poison as if pointing to his own palm. One day he sighed, saying: 'The marvel of the vehicles of the teachings cannot be adequately praised. Yet without leaving names and words, in the end it is not seeing one's nature. It would be better to change robes and follow the learning of the special transmission. If there is a glimpse, it will suffice to bring joy to my entire life.' Hearing that Dahui was proclaiming the Dao at Mount Jing, he packed his bags and went to pay respects. He also visited Master Xuechao Yi, Ci'an Yuan, and others, but had no awakening. Thereupon he went from Fujian to Quannan and joined the Venerable Jiaozhong Guang, who appointed him as rector. Hearing Zhong bring up the story of Xiangyan striking the bamboo, he was thoroughly awakened and presented a verse. When Zhong questioned him on Xuansha's words on not having penetrated, he replied without hesitation. Only then did [Zhong] instruct him, saying: 'Only after this may you see Dahui.' Thereupon, receiving his instructions, he took his leave and went to Meiyang, serving diligently for four years. Dahui once ascended the seat [and lauded] him. Later he came into the world, receiving an imperial decree to serve as abbot of Jingci, vastly promoting the way of Jiaozhong. The shoes outside his door were always full. When he manifested quiescence, a stūpa was erected at the northwest corner of the monastery mountain.