神僧傳 1.23

1.23

Zhu Fotiao: his clan and lineage are unknown. He served Fotudeng as his teacher. He resided in Changshan Monastery for many years; his conduct was simple and unadorned, and he did not employ embellished words. People of the time all esteemed him for this. In Changshan there were two brothers who practiced the Dharma, living a hundred li from the monastery. The elder brother's wife became critically ill, and she was brought out to live near the monastery to be close to medical treatment. The elder brother, having taken Tiao as his teacher, was constantly in the monastery morning and day, inquiring and practicing the Way. On a different day, Tiao suddenly went to their home. The younger brother asked in detail about his sister-in-law's ailment and inquired whether his elder brother was well. Tiao said: 'The sick one is somewhat better, and your brother is as usual.' After Tiao left, the younger brother also spurred his horse and followed on, mentioning that Tiao had come that morning. The elder brother was astonished and said: 'The Master has not left the monastery at all this morning; how could you have seen him?' The brothers competed to ask Tiao about it; Tiao smiled but did not reply, and they all marveled at it together. Tiao would sometimes enter deep mountains alone for half a year or a year, taking along only a few dou of dried cooked rice, and upon returning there was always some left over. Someone once followed Tiao on a mountain journey of several tens of li. At dusk, heavy snow fell; Tiao entered a rock cavern that was a tiger's den to lodge for the night. When the tiger returned, it lay down together with him in front of the cavern. Tiao said to the tiger: 'I have taken your place, and feel remorseful; what do you say?' The tiger lowered its ears and went down the mountain. His companion was terrified. Later, Tiao personally designated the day he would die. People from near and far all arrived, and he addressed them all, saying: 'Though heaven and earth endure long, they still undergo decay and ruin; how much more so people and things, that they should seek to exist forever? If you can wash away the three impurities and focus your mind on true purity, then although physical forms differ, the meeting of spirits will surely unite in harmony.' The assembly all wept and earnestly pleaded with him to stay. Tiao said: 'Death and life are destiny; how can one plead against it?' Tiao then returned to his room, sat upright, covered his head with his robe, and suddenly passed away. Several years later, eight of Tiao's lay disciples went into the western mountains to fell timber. Suddenly they saw Tiao atop a high cliff, his clothing fresh and bright, his bearing and demeanor serene and joyous. Surprised and delighted, they all paid homage and said: 'Is the Master still alive?' Tiao said: 'I am always here.' He inquired in detail whether his old acquaintances were well, and after a good while he departed. The eight men abandoned their work, returned home, and told their fellow practitioners. Having no other way to verify it, the crowd went together, opened the tomb, and opened the coffin; they no longer saw his corpse, but found only his clothes and shoes inside.