神僧傳 6.20

6.20

Śramaṇa Fachong, whose courtesy name was Xiaodun, had the surname Li and was a native of Chengji in Longxi. When young, he was exceptional and proud, rising above contemporary customs. At the age of twenty-four, he gave rise to the aspiration to renounce household life. He listened to the Mahāparinirvāṇa-sūtra more than thirty times. He then went to Anzhou under Master Gao to listen to the Pañcaviṃśatisāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā-sūtra, the Three Treatises, and the Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra, whereupon he entered Mount Wudu to cultivate his practice. At the age of thirty, he traveled to Jizhou. In the early years of the Zhenguan era, an edict was issued declaring that those who secretly underwent ordination would suffer the ultimate penalty. Chong vowed to sacrifice his life and immediately shaved his head. At that time, many monks had fled to Mount Yiyang to evade the crisis, and their provisions were exhausted. He then went to see the prefectural governor, saying: "If there is a matter of capital punishment, I, Chong, will bear it myself. Only provide provisions for the Way, and you will ultimately obtain blessing and protection." The governors and magistrates admired his ardent brilliance and, bending the law, provided relief. They divided the monks into two locations, establishing a granary of about ten hu of grain at each. At one location, there were more than forty disciples who exclusively studied the Mahāyāna and cultivated the practice of Chan; after a year, the grain remained as originally provided, without diminishing. At the other location, there were fifty-six people; after barely two days, their grain was exhausted, because they did not cultivate Chan and concurrently pursued non-Buddhist studies. Chong said: "This is not surprising; the ability to practice the Way is simply the benevolence of the white curl [of the Buddha]." At that time, more refugees arrived, and there was nowhere to stay. The mountain had a tiger's cave; Chong went there and announced: "A destitute guest comes to rely on you; can you accommodate me?" The tigers then took each other and left. When the crisis was resolved, Chong propagated the Dharma wherever he went. Although Chong extensively propagated the sūtras and arts, he specialized in the Laṅkāvatāra-sūtra as his specialty. Secretariat Director Du Zhenglun regularly consulted and received instruction from him. At that time, the Tripiṭaka Master Xuanzang did not allow the lecture on previously translated sūtras. Chong said: "You renounced household life relying on the old sūtras. If you do not permit the propagation of the old sūtras, please return to lay life first and then rely on the newly translated sūtras again; only then will I permit this intention of yours." When Xuanzang heard this, he desisted. The Master also was one who propagated the sūtras and protected the Dharma throughout his generation, an unyielding and resolute man whom none could equal. Vice Director of the Left Yu Zhining said: "This Dharma Master is indeed a dhūta monk of the dharmadhātu; he cannot be bound by name or reality."