神僧傳 7.25

7.25

The monk Yifu was a man from Shangdang. His brahma-conduct was refined and practiced, and his auspicious marks were upright and pure. Gentry, officials, and commoners unanimously took refuge in him. He once accompanied the imperial entourage to the Eastern Capital; in all the commanderies and counties he passed through, the people leaned toward him in veneration. Vast sums of alms were given, yet he left them all behind. Suddenly one day, he summoned his disciples and announced that he was about to pass away. Zhang Jun, Vice Minister of War; Yan Tingzhi, Vice Minister of the Secretariat; Fang Guan, Vice Minister of Justice; and Wei She, Vice Minister of Rites, had always paid respects and visited him; on that day, they also arrived together. Yifu ascended the seat to expound the Dharma for his disciples, and then said: 'I shall pass away on this day and must bid you farewell.' After some time, Zhang said to Fang: 'In former years I ingested golden elixir; since then I have never attended a funeral.' Having spoken, Zhang slipped away in secret. Yifu said to Fang: 'I have associated with Duke Zhang for years; Zhang will face an extraordinary catastrophe, and both his reputation and integrity will be ruined. Had he remained until the end of the Dharma gathering just now, it would have sufficed to avert the disaster. How lamentable!' Taking Fang's hand, he said: 'You will surely become a famed minister of dynastic restoration. May you strive hard, sir!' Having spoken, he passed away. When the An Lushan rebellion broke out, Zhang Jun fell into the rebel court and accepted a counterfeit post, while Fang Guan assisted two reigns and ultimately established his supreme integrity.