神僧傳 5.26

5.26

Shi Daoying, whose secular surname was Chen, was a native of Yishi in Puzhou. When young, he renounced household life under Vinaya Master Xiuxiu. He went to Bingzhou to study the Way under Master Ju. Later, he entered Chan concentration and gradually displayed extraordinary traces. During the Daye era, he once served as the monastic bursar and disputed land with laypeople. As they fought vehemently without stopping, he then said to them: "I am going to die!" Suddenly he fell over, stiff as a corpse. The laypeople all judged that men of the Way were full of deceit; they pricked beneath his nails with needles, but though deep, he did not stir. His breath ceased, his complexion changed, and he was about to swell up. Beside him, a wise person told them to take refuge and swear they would not dare to dispute, hoping he would come back to life. Following these words, he sat up, speaking and laughing as usual. Furthermore, walking beside the pool of the Longtai Marsh, he saw fish swimming, and said: "I will contest with you: in what way am I superior? You are no match for me; can I be no match for you?" He immediately took off his clothes and entered the water. His disciples held his clothes and guarded him for sixteen nights. When he came out, he told them: "Although I was in the water, only the dusty earth troubled me." Furthermore, in the severe winter when the ice was thick and the snow deep, he said: "In such a flat and clean place, how could one not sleep?" He thereupon took off his clothes, lay facing upward, and stayed for three nights. He then arose and said: "I was almost scorched to death by fire!" Later, he returned to Puzhou and resided at Pujiu Temple. By day, he encouraged the monks to be diligent in their affairs; by night, he sat in the lotus posture and explained Chan contemplation to them. At times, some who were wearied by their labor heard the Dharma and did not feel their fatigue. One day, while explaining the Treatise on the Awakening of Faith, he suddenly became silent. Surprised, they went to observe him: his breath was cut off and his body cold. The assembly recognized that he had extinguished perception, so they left him as he was. After several nights, he finally arose from concentration. At that time, Daoxun of Hedong, a famous monk of lofty standing, had originally been his fellow student; when Xun passed away, though he was one hundred and fifty li away from Ying and had not yet sent word, on that very evening [Ying] already knew of his death. His knowing of subtle signs and spiritual resonance were like this. On the eve before his death, he gathered the assembly and told them: "We must gather and store things early; tomorrow, many people and beasts will assemble and destroy or consume the grain and straw." The assembly did not comprehend his words. Ying also transported things himself, urging them on with great haste. By night, everything was finished; he asked for water to shave and wash, returned to his original seat, covered himself with his great robe, and quietly passed away.