大明高僧傳 3.25

3.25

Śramaṇa Shanqi, courtesy name Dongbai and art name Xiao'an, was a son of the Yang family of Changzhou in Gusu, an official family for generations. As soon as he could speak, he was already thoroughly versed in the Buddhist scriptures as if he had known them intimately before. His parents marveled at it, recognized that he was a vessel of the Dharma, and relinquished him to leave home at Yongmao Cloister. Before long, he underwent tonsure and received full ordination. Withdrawing to Mount Long, he researched and penetrated the Great Canon, and thoroughly investigated all the hundred philosophers and various histories. In the wu-zi year of Yongle, he emerged into the world at Yanqing Temple in the prefecture. The following year, he was summoned to compile the Yongle Encyclopedia and collate the Great Canon, and was bestowed a gold-threaded saṅghāṭī robe. Notable figures of the era such as Shen Minwang, Wang Ruyu, and Qian Yuanpu were all his friends outside the secular realm. When someone argued over the differences between Confucianism and Buddhism, the master said, 'Regardless of the fact that the sages share the same principle, each simply serves his own teaching.' He also said, 'In the promulgation of the Way in Eastern Lu and the seeing of the nature in the Western Land, nothing takes precedence over reinforcing the root. Therefore, although we have left our parents, in nourishing the living and sending off the dead, we generally follow what is generous.' He was extremely fraternal with his brothers. In the guihai year of Zhengtong, he manifested quiescence, and was enshrined in a stūpa at Mount Long.