大明高僧傳 1.35

1.35

Shi Ziwen, courtesy name Zongzhou, was a native of Xiangshan in Siming. He was the foremost disciple of Master Beixi Wen. He went forth to become the abbot of Baoyun Monastery. He was erudite in the doctrine and contemplation, and kept the monastic discipline and rules very strictly. When speaking with people on ordinary occasions, he stammered as if unable to utter a word. But when he ascended the seat, [his eloquence] was like water poured from a tilted jug, impossible to stem. At the time of his death, he was lecturing on the Sūtra on the Contemplation of the Sixteen. Having finished the lecture, he was about to take his seat, bid farewell to the assembly, and enter extinction. Someone addressed him, saying, 'The master has not yet made arrangements for his posthumous affairs; why announce quiescence so abruptly?' Ziwen replied, 'A monk should go when it is time to go. Do not act like worldly men making calculations for children, so that there are posthumous affairs.' The assembly's entreaties grew more earnest. Thereupon, he descended from the seat, returned to the abbot's quarters, and laid down every detail point by point. He then joined his palms, recited the names of the Four Holy Beings of the Western Direction, and upon completing his dedication of merit and vows, entered extinction. The jhāpita yielded brilliant and innumerable śarīra. An extraordinary fragrance wafted over the crowd and only ceased after a whole day.