神僧傳 2.8

2.8

Shi Tanshi was a native of Guanzhong. From the time he renounced household life, he exhibited many miraculous signs. At the end of the Taiyuan era of Emperor Xiaowu of the Jin, he took several tens of works of sūtras and vinaya to Liaodong to preach and convert, openly conferring the three vehicles and instituting refuges and precepts. Early in the Yixi era, he returned to Guanzhong to guide the Sanfu region. Tanshi's feet were whiter than his face, and even when he walked barefoot through mud and water, they were never soiled or wet; everyone under Heaven called him the 'White-Footed Master.' At that time, Wang Hu of Chang'an had an uncle who had died several years earlier; the uncle suddenly manifested his form, returned, and led Hu on a journey throughout hell to display the various karmic retributions. When Hu took his leave to return, the uncle said to him, 'Since you now know karma, you should serve the White-Footed Aranya.' Hu visited monks everywhere, but only saw Tanshi whose feet were whiter than his face, and so he served him. At the end of the Jin, Helian Bobo of the Xiongnu of Shuofang sacked Guanzhong, massacring countless people. At that time, Tanshi also met with peril, but the blades could not harm him. Bobo marveled at this and issued a general pardon to the śramaṇas, ordering that none of them be killed. Tanshi then went into seclusion in the mountains and marshes to practice the dhūta austerities. Later, Tuoba Tao captured Chang'an again, exercising tyrannical power over the Guan-Luo region. At that time, Cui Hao of Boling had studied heterodox arts in his youth and was jealous of the Buddhist teachings. Since he held a high ministerial position and was trusted by Tao, he spoke together with Heavenly Master Kou [Qianzhi] to Tao, arguing that Buddhist conversion was of no benefit and harmed the welfare of the people, advising him to abolish it. Tao, deluded by their words, destroyed the Buddhadharma in the seventh year of the Taiping era of Northern Yan. He dispatched troops to burn and plunder monasteries, ordering all monks and nuns within his territory to return to lay life. Those who fled into hiding were pursued and captured; whenever caught, they were beheaded, so that within the entire realm not a single śramaṇa remained. Tanshi alone withdrew into seclusion in the deep wilderness where the troops could not reach. Toward the end of the Taiping era, Tanshi knew that the time for Tao's conversion was drawing near; on the day of the New Year's court assembly, he suddenly arrived at the palace carrying his staff. An official reported, 'There is a Daoist whose feet are whiter than his face, entering through the gate.' Tao ordered him to be executed repeatedly according to military law, yet he was not harmed. They hurried to inform Tao. Tao was furious and personally struck him with his own sword, but Tanshi's body showed no injury, with only a mark like a thread where the sword had touched. At that time, tigers were kept in cages in the northern park; Tao ordered Tanshi to be fed to them, but the tigers cowered and never dared approach. When they tested this by bringing the Heavenly Master near the cage, the tigers roared. Tao finally realized that the Buddhist teachings were exalted and beyond the reach of Huang-Lao. He then invited Tanshi to ascend the hall, prostrated at his feet, and repented of his transgressions. Tanshi preached the Dharma for him, clearly expounding cause and effect. Tao felt great shame and fear, and subsequently contracted a virulent leprosy; Cui and Kou in turn fell ill with malignant diseases. Where Tanshi ended his days is unknown.