大明高僧傳 2.13

2.13

Shi Wencai was styled Zhonghua, a son of the Yang clan of Qingshui. His ancestors were from Hongnong and had served as officials on the western border for generations; his father, Jingyi, was an assistant magistrate in Qingshui, and so settled his family there. The Master was orphaned young. He served his mother with utmost filial piety. By nature, he was agile and possessed innate wisdom; in ancient and modern classics and histories, there was nothing he did not investigate thoroughly. He was especially profound in the study of principle (lixue), fond of antiquity, and skilled at chanting poetry. Yet his innate disposition was so earnest and simple that he seemed to know nothing; but whenever he discussed matters with guests, he was like the Milky Way whose shores cannot be fathomed. After receiving full ordination, he wandered through lecture halls everywhere, mastering the teachings of Xianshou completely. He often said: 'In learning, the value lies in penetrating the tradition; in speech, one must meet the meaning. If one uses intention to anticipate the aim, one will grasp it. Mere words and letters are just dregs. How could they open the wisdom eye of people?' At first, he secluded himself in Chengji, building a hut and planting pines, intending to end his days there; hence people called him 'the Pine Hall Monk.' Emperor Shizu of the Yuan issued a special edict appointing him abbot of Baima Temple in Luoyang. Scholars converged like streaming rivers and gathering seas; his reputation spread day by day. Emperor Chengzong built Wansheng Temple on Mount Wutai and sought by decree a founding first-generation abbot. At that time, the Imperial Preceptor Karaspa recommended him. Chengzong immediately cast a gold seal appointing him State Preceptor Zhenjue, supervising the Shiyuan tradition as well as the abbacy of Youguo. The Imperial Preceptor brought the edict to summon the Master. The Master declined: 'This mountain monk has received the national grace to dwell at Baima Temple, which is already too much. What virtue do I have that I should dare to oversee Youguo? To exceed one's station in dwelling brings misfortune; to act without reflection lacks clarity. I am beset by these two troubles; please decline on my behalf.' The Imperial Preceptor replied: 'This is the sovereign's command. His Majesty's heart toward this temple is earnest and extreme. Who else but you, Master, could do it? This concerns the affairs of the Dharma gate; please manage it well.' Thereupon, having no alternative, he departed. After receiving the appointment, he broadly propagated the way of Qingliang, never tiring even in old age. On the first day of the ninth month in the ren-yin year, the sixth year of Dade [1302], he manifested slight illness. He then expounded the Dharma, took leave of the assembly, sat upright, and entered quiescence. His age was sixty-two. He was jhāpita, yielding several hundred śarīra, which were enshrined in a stūpa at the foot of the Eastern Peak. His dharma heirs included Hongjiao of Puning and Huantang of Pu'an.