大明高僧傳 7.18

7.18

Shi Ruixian was a man of Kuaiji. In his youth he was entangled in the dust-nets and nearly drowned in the river of passion. At the age of twenty, he resolutely left home. Passing the scriptural examination, he received the tonsure. He intensively studied the Great and Small Vehicle Vinaya Pitakas. Coming to the line, 'The nature of precepts is like empty space; those who hold to them are deluded,' he suddenly reflected to himself: 'Precepts are merely a method for restraining the body. Why should I tie myself down?' He then investigated Tiantai teachings. One day he read the passage: 'All dharmas are not produced from themselves, nor are they produced from others, nor together, nor without cause; therefore it is said they are unproduced.' He doubted: 'If they are not from self, nor from other, nor together, nor without cause, from where ultimately are they produced?' He sighed and said: 'Although conditioned dharmas are illuminated through the three contemplations of emptiness and conventionality, this merely exalts and depresses the sea of true nature. Mind, Buddha, and sentient beings have different names but the same substance. The ten realms and ten vehicles—the wondrous mind becoming wisdom, the inconceivable realm—only when wisdom's illumination is bright is it revealed, and it certainly cannot be reached by verbal explanation.' He thereupon changed his robes and visited various venerable elders. Later, he climbed Mount Touzi and saw Chan Master Guangjian. Guangjian asked, 'Where have you come from?' He replied, 'Eastern Yue in Liangzhe.' Jian said, 'What is happening in Eastern Yue?' He replied, 'Mount Qinwang is high; the waters of Mirror Lake are wide.' Jian said, 'Is Mount Qinwang identical with or distinct from yourself?' He replied, 'Sanskrit words, Tang speech.' Jian said, 'These are still just monastery bantering words. Ultimately, are they identical or distinct?' The master shouted. Jian struck him. Suddenly he had an awakening. He bowed and said, 'The great debt of gratitude is hard to repay.' Later he opened the Dharma at Cishi. He once asked a monk, 'Three bags, two legs, travelling ten thousand li in a day. Unable to catch up, now they are gathered on Mount Yuquan; people of these times are not allowed to reckon them at will. In what place will you all meet with Elder Xian?' In the whole assembly, none could offer a word that hit the mark. He passed away on this mountain.