神僧傳 5.28

5.28

Shi Fajin's family clan is not known. He lived at the Yunü Temple on Mount Xiangying in Mianzhu County, Yizhou, as a disciple of Chan Master Hui. Later, he received the ten precepts under Dharma Master Ding. He took reverence, sincerity, humility, and scrupulousness as his duties, engaging solely in the practice of seated meditation. In the bamboo grove behind the temple, he would regularly sit; four fierce tigers circled around him on either side. The Master instructed [others] not to disclose these signs. Later, he was taught the water contemplation. A servant went to fetch firewood and saw fine, clear water upon his rope-bed. Picking up two white stones, he placed them into the water. When Jin returned to the temple at dusk, he felt severe pain in his back. He questioned the servant, who said that he had placed stones there. Jin told him that he should go the next morning and remove these stones. At dawn, when Jin entered meditation, the servant again saw the clear water as before, and immediately removed the stones; Jin's suffering was thereupon healed. Because of this, he practiced absorption and never left this mountain. During the Kaihuang era, King Xiu of Shu governed Yizhou. His consort suffered from heart and abdominal ailments, which no treatment could alleviate. There was a Daoist, Wen Pushan, from Mount Baidai in Changlong, Mianzhou, who could climb onto swords and burn fire; on Mount Huming there were two Daoists who could summon and command ghosts and spirits, use talismans, and perform sacrificial offerings, and who could enter water without drowning. They all came to treat her together, but none had any effect. [The Prince] then dispatched the Chief Administrator Zhang Ying and others to the mountain to invite Jin to come out and treat the consort's illness. Jin replied, "I have lived in the mountains for nearly eighty years, sharing the nature of water." They earnestly urged him further. Jin replied, "I shall end my life here; you may return early on your own." The messenger returned and reported everything. The Prince then dispatched officials of the Six Departments with four calf-carts and a retinue of a hundred men to go again and welcome him. Jin said, "Though the Prince is noble and exalted, life has its own destined course." He maintained his original resolve. When the messenger returned, the Prince was enraged, and went into the mountain himself, intending to inflict punishment with his own hands. When he reached the mountain temple and bowed before the Buddha, upon seeing Jin, he unconsciously began to tremble and break into a sweat all over his body. The Prince said, "I respectfully invite the Chan Master to treat the consort's illness. May the Chan Master be compassionate and save her from this suffering." Jin replied, "When sheep are slaughtered and their hearts eaten, is that not painful? All sentient beings are children of the Buddha. Why do you give rise to this partial love solely for the consort?" The Prince felt shame and repentance, and still requested him to leave the mountain. Jin then said, "Since the Prince's order is weighty, I cannot refuse to go. Let the Prince go ahead on his own; this poor monk has never ridden a mount in his life, and will follow behind." The Prince said, "Your disciple shall follow on foot and travel together with the Master." Jin replied, "Monastics are different from layfolk. Just proceed ahead, and we will arrive at the same time." The Prince traveled for two days before arriving; Jin reached the palace in a single morning. Jin entered straight into the consort's hall; seeing Jin, the consort broke into a sweat, and thereby she was cured. Five hundred lengths of silk, patch-robe kāṣāyas, and various articles were offered to him. Jin had the King and his consort wash their hands with water, hold the items, and make vows, dedicating them all to become the endowment of Fajusi Temple. He then took his leave and returned to the mountain. The Prince and his consort saw that Jin's feet were about four or five inches above the ground. On the eighth day of the first month in the thirteenth year of the Daye era, he passed away on this mountain. Dragons moaned and apes howled for three days before stopping.