神僧傳 6.14

6.14

Shi Fenggan originally dwelt at Guoqing Monastery on Mount Tiantai. His hair was trimmed even with his eyebrows, and he wore a cloth robe over his body. His height was over seven feet. When someone asked him a question, he replied only with the two words: “Follow the time.” He spoke no other words. He delighted in pounding grain alone, laboring like a convict, and assisting with cooking for meals. He once rode a tiger straight through the Pine Gate, leaving the monks frightened, while he sang songs of chanting the Way. He got along exceedingly well with Shide and the hermit Hanshan. Fenggan went out wandering like clouds. It happened that Lüqiu Yin was departing to take up office as governor of Taizhou. Suddenly he was afflicted with severe migraines, and celebrated doctors summoned could not cure it. Fenggan happened to arrive at his house, declaring that he was skilled at treating this illness. When Lüqiu heard this, he received him. The Master took pure water and spat it upon him; in a moment, the illness was eliminated. Because of this, [Lüqiu] respected him greatly. He asked where he had come from, and [Fenggan] replied: “Guoqing on Tiantai.” He asked: “Are there worthy and eminent men there?” [Fenggan] replied: “Hanshan is Mañjuśrī; Shide is Samantabhadra. You should go and see them.” Three days after Lüqiu arrived at his post, he went to the monastery. He asked: “Has this monastery ever had a Dhyāna Master Fenggan?” They replied: “Yes.” “Where is his courtyard? And who are Hanshan and Shide?” Then monk Daoqiao replied: “Fenggan's former courtyard is right behind the scripture library. Now it is deserted and empty, with only tigers and leopards occasionally coming to roar here. Hanshan and Shide are currently performing menial tasks in the monastic kitchen.” Lüqiu entered Fenggan's room and saw only tiger tracks crisscrossing the floor. He further asked what deeds Fenggan had performed here. They replied: “He only engaged in pounding grain to provide gruel and food for the monks; at night he sang songs and chanted without ceasing.” Lüqiu sighed in admiration repeatedly. He then entered the kitchen, saw the two men, and bowed to them. The two men jumped up and ran, saying: “Fenggan has a wagging tongue! If you do not recognize Amitābha, why bow to us?” Hand in hand, they exited the Pine Gate and never entered the monastery again. Where Fenggan finally went was never known.