大明高僧傳 7.35

7.35

Shi Haihui was a native of the Jin State. From childhood he was brilliant and quick, and his learning did not depend on teachers. The records of Lu and the tomes of India, he could recite upon a single glance. When he first visited lecture halls, it was like entering the dragon palace. In the profound paths of nature and characteristics, there was nothing whose brilliance he did not grasp and whose essence he did not draw upon. Thus, he was fully sated with the joy of the Dharma and the delight of Chan. He concealed his traces on Mount Wutai, cutting and burning to farm, and building a hut against the crags. A single couch was his solitary setting. Thus he lived for fifteen years. One day he sighed, saying, "A great man should take sentient beings as his urgent duty; why drown in this?" Thereupon, carrying his staff, he went to the capital of Yan and traveled to all the Chan temples. Acting in accord with conditions to preach and transform, the seven assemblies gathered like clouds. Thereupon his fame spread throughout the world, and his teaching reached the imperial palace. In the sixth month of the third year of the Huangtong era of the Jin, Crown Prince Yingdao founded Dachuqing Temple next to the palace in the Upper Capital. When completed, its exquisite artistry was the pinnacle of the age, illusory as a heavenly palace. Admiring the master's reputation in the Way, an imperial decree was issued inviting him to become the first generation founder. Preaching the Dharma and conferring certificates, he broadly ordained one million registered monastic novices within the realm as monks and nuns. The following year, an imperial decree welcomed the auspicious sandalwood image to be enshrined in the Jiqing Pavilion of the temple. In the fifth year of the Huangtong era, Haihui entered quiescence. In the bath of fire, five-colored śarīras without count were obtained. Their radiance penetrated beyond the sky, and an extraordinary fragrance lasted for ten days. The Jin ruler, together with the Empress, Crown Prince, imperial princes, and the hundred officials, made offerings for five days, respectfully dividing [the relics] among five places to build stūpas. He was posthumously named Grand Master Fojue Youguo ("Awakened Buddha Who Assists the Country"). In the first month of the following year, an imperial decree appointed Chan Master Qinghui as abbot of Chuqing, granting him the title Grand Master Fozhi Huguo ("Buddha Wisdom Who Protects the Country"). He was ordered to ascend the seat of National Preceptor, and was specially bestowed a gold-threaded saṅghāṭī robe, along with rare vases, incense burners, and precious utensils. The Jin ruler, his consorts, and the Crown Prince made prostrations at his feet and presented him with Dharma robes. A king of Cīnasthāna paying homage to a śramaṇa had never been seen like this in ancient times.