神僧傳 6.6

6.6

Shi Shiyu, whose lay surname was Chen, lived in Taizhou. In the twelfth year of the Daye era, he went to Mianzhou to renounce household life under Dharma Master Lun at Zhenxiang Monastery. Following the dhūta practice of one meal a day (ekāsanika), his diligent austerities were unceasing. He then went to Lizhou to register and dwell in a monastery. Later, he entered Mount Xiangying in Mianzhu County, Yizhou, living in solitude for many years. Four apes supplied him with food such as mountain fruits. There was a faithful layman, born of his mother’s clan, who carried provisions to offer him, marveling that frankincense, agarwood, and other fragrances were continually burned in the deep mountains. On his way back down the mountain, at midway, he met two people of extraordinarily azure hue and uncommon appearance, each carrying lotus flowers, sugar cane, and taro up the mountain, saying: “We are going to provide offerings for the Dhyāna Master.” During his three years dwelling in the mountains, [Shiyu] consumed only one hectoliter and seven liters of rice. Performing the six-period circumambulation and practice, he took apes and birds as his companions. At first there was only a single spring, but later three springs flowed out below. In the first year of the Zhenguan era, he dreamt that four dragons entered his heart and eyes; upon awakening, he had a great awakening to the essential tenets of the Three Treatises. He then went to the lectures of Dharma Master Lingrui, and what he heard of the phrasing and principles seemed just like an old familiarity. He then went to Mianzhou to dwell at Dashi Monastery. On the eighth day of the fourth month of the nineteenth year, he went to Chongle Monastery and spoke of intending to wander afar. Someone advised him: “This very monastery is [the same as] all directions.” He therefore returned to his original room at Dashi [Monastery], and a wondrous fragrance filled the chamber. From the ground where he sat, three gold coins welled up. The assembly, tracing the fragrance, found it came from Yu's room, where they saw him sitting cross-legged, still holding an incense burner in his hand, having quietly passed away. His age was sixty-three.