神僧傳 8.16

8.16

Shi Chonghui, surnamed Zhang, was a native of Hangzhou. In his youth, he went to pay homage to Dhyāna Master Guoyi of Jingshan and became his disciple. He then made a vow to conceal his traces at Luoyun Monastery in Qian. Soon, a spirit reported to Chonghui, saying: "The master chants the Uṣṇīṣa [Dhāraṇī] but rarely concludes with 'svāhā', leaving the secret mantra incomplete. 'Svāhā' signifies accomplishment. At present, the Buddha's teaching in the capital is being oppressed by external teachings, hanging in balance as precarious as a row of attached banners. It awaits only the Master's deliverance." Chonghui set off on his journey westward. In the third year of Dali, the Daoist Shi Hua of Daqing Palace submitted a memorial requesting a contest between the contemporary luminaries of the Buddhist school and himself to determine the superiority of the Buddha's power versus Daoist arts. At that time, Emperor Daizong revered the Buddhist gates, and the adherents of different paths were indignant at his partiality; hence this request was made. A ladder of swords was subsequently constructed before the altar of Dongming Abbey. Shi Hua ascended and stepped upon it as though mounting ordinary stone stairs. At that time, the monastic assembly looked at one another, hesitating and stepping back, none daring to climb it. Hearing of this, Chonghui went to visit the Regional Commander Yu Chao'en. Yu submitted a memorial requesting to erect a ladder in the courtyard of Zhangxin Monastery, crosswise set with blades gleaming like frost and snow, yet increasing its height by a hundred feet; the ladder at Dongming was exceedingly low in comparison. At that time, court officials, noblemen, and market inhabitants stood shoulder to shoulder and heel to toe to witness this deed. Chonghui walked barefoot, ascending the rungs and descending the steps as though walking on a level road, without the slightest sign of difficulty. Furthermore, he trod upon fierce flames and plunged his hands into boiling oil. He also ate iron leaves, calling them noodle dumplings, and chewed iron nail wire, the sound resembling brittle malt sugar. Shi Hua was frightened, ashamed, and terrified, covering his sleeves and retreating. At that time, the assembly snapped their fingers in admiration, their cries resounding like thunder. The Emperor dispatched the palace attendant Gong Tingyu to offer imperial condolences and praise repeatedly, and thereupon presented him with a set of purple square monastic robes.