大明高僧傳 6.37

6.37

Śramaṇa Yang'an—it is not known where he was from. He was extraordinarily talented, surpassing the crowd, and left the secular world at an early age. Once he had rounded his pate, he aspired to the Supreme Vehicle. He was meticulous and cautious with vinaya deportment, and indulged in frequenting lecture halls. After a long time, he abandoned them and thereupon entered the room of Master Foguoyuan Qin. At that time, Dawei Tai was the seat-leader; dawn and dusk, An inquired of him and suddenly grasped the profound purport. Later, Tai served as abbot at Deshan and instructed An to go to Foguo to deliver his letter of dharma succession. Foguo saw him and asked: “Galloping a thousand leagues without disgracing the ancestral style; the gongan is fully present—how do you convey the letter?” An said: “Presented face to face, there is no further mutual avoidance.” Foguo said: “This belongs to Deshan. Which is the elder's?” An said: “How could there be a second person?” Foguo said: “What about the one behind your back?” An immediately advanced the letter. Foguo laughed and praised him as an adept. Next, he arrived in front of the monks' hall, holding the letter to greet the head monk. The head monk said: “Xuansha's blank paper—where does this come from?” An said: “Remaining silent about this essential for a long time, not hurrying to explain it; today I pay respects and present it, hoping you will take a look.” The head monk then gave a shout. An said: “An adept head monk!” The head monk shouted again. An immediately struck him with the letter. The head monk hesitated. An said: “Not having clarified the three, eight, and nine, you cannot avoid brooding over it.” He struck him once more and said: “When it was received, Foguo and Foyan witnessed it together.” Foguo said: “You have beaten my head monk to death!” Foyan said: “Official horses kicking each other—what evidence is there?” An said: “Why speak of official horses kicking each other? It is truly the trampling of dragons and elephants!” Foguo summoned An before him and said: “He is the head monk over my five hundred people. Why did you strike him?” An said: “The Venerable must also take a beating!” Foguo looked at Foyan and stuck out his tongue. Foyan said: “Not yet,” and then asked: “What is the meaning of the saying ‘Empty-handed, holding a hoe’?” An bowed and said: “What I state is all strictly true.” Foyan laughed and said: “So he is indeed a man of our house!” He also went to Mount Wuzu to deliver a letter to Venerable Biaoxi. Xi said: “What does the letter say?” An said: “The ornate design is already manifest.” Xi said: “Ultimately, what does it say?” An said: “Wielding the precious sword facing the sun.” Xi called out: “Come forward! Here I do not recognize a few characters.” An said: “Better not feign defeat!” Xi looked at his attendant and said: “Where is this monk from?” The attendant said: “He was once in the Venerable's assembly.” Xi said: “No wonder he has such a sharp head!” An said: “I was ruined by the Venerable.” Xi held the letter over the incense burner to smoke it, saying: “Namo samanta.” An came forward and snapped his fingers. Xi then opened the letter. From this, his renown spread throughout the four quarters, and he did not bring disgrace to Tai’s mission. Soon afterward, he came forth to preside over Lingyan. Patch-robed monks gathered like spokes at a hub; taking up the mallet and raising the fly-whisk, he had much of the style of the ancients.