神僧傳 8.38

8.38

Shi Yuanguan's origins are unknown. He lived in Luoyang, and was by nature detached and simple. At that time he was an intimate friend of Li Yuan, who had forgotten all physical pretense. Together they stayed at Huilin Monastery, taking only a single vessel of food daily along with the monastic assembly, and nothing more. Thus passed three years. One day Yuan suddenly invited Guan to travel through the mountain caves of Qingcheng and Emei in Shu to seek medicinal herbs. Guan wished to travel to Chang'an via the Xie Valley road; Li wished to enter the Gorges from Jingzhou. They argued over these two routes for half a year without resolving the matter. Li said: "I have already ceased serving kings and nobles; on my journey I do not wish to pass through the roads of the two capitals." Guan said: "Travel should not be bound by rigid insistence; let us follow your command." Thereupon they traveled up the Gorges from Jingzhou. Stopping their boat at Nanpu, they saw several women in elegant patterned short jackets carrying jars to draw water. Guan bowed his head and wept, saying: "The reason I did not wish to pass through here was the fear of seeing this woman." Li asked the reason. Guan said: "That pregnant woman of the Wang family is the place where I am to lodge my body. More than three years have passed and she has not yet given birth, solely because I had not yet arrived. Now that we have met, my destiny has its destination; this is what the Buddhists call cyclical rebirth. Please use a talisman and incantation to cause her to give birth swiftly; and linger your boat a short while to bury me in the mountain valley. When her family bathes the child, I also hope you will visit; if he looks at you and smiles, he recognizes you. Twelve years later, on the night of the mid-autumn moon, strictly outside the Tianzhu Monastery in Qiantang, that shall be the appointed time to meet you again." Li deeply regretted this journey. He called the pregnant woman and informed her of the matter; the woman leaped with joy and returned home. Before long, Li went to present the talisman water; Guan bathed and transformed [in death]. The woman gave birth to a son. On the third day Li went to see him; the newborn child indeed offered a smile. The next day Li turned his oars and returned to Huilin Monastery; upon questioning the disciples, he learned that Guan had already arranged his affairs. Li always remembered the pact in Hangzhou. When the appointed time arrived, he went to Tianzhu Monastery. On that night under the bright moon, he suddenly heard a cowherd singing the "Bamboo Branch Song" by the well-field of Ge Hong, riding an ox and tapping its horns, with double topknots and short clothes. As he approached slowly in front of the monastery, it was indeed Guan! Li hurried forward, bowed, and said: "Master Guan, are you well?" [Guan] said: "Lord Li, you are truly a trustworthy man! You and I follow different paths; be careful not to draw near. Your worldly karma is not yet exhausted; merely cultivate diligently. If you do not fall into the lower realms, we shall eventually meet again." Li had no way to carry on the conversation, and wept as he gazed at him. Guan again sang the "Bamboo Branch Song" and moved onward, its words poignant and its tune soaring, until none knew where he ended.