神僧傳 9.13

9.13

Master Xinqi was a man of Shan; Xin was his surname. As a child he was exceptionally prudent and solemn, never engaging in frivolous play. His parents both marvelled at him and cherished him. At the age of ten he loved the teachings of the Buddha and read Buddhist scriptures daily. He was naturally able to distinguish Sanskrit sounds without a master's instruction. Later, his father became governor of the Shan commandery. Before this, south of the commandery were seven brick kilns. When his father died, Xinqi was overwhelmed with grief. One day, becoming crazed, he fled. The family servants tracked his whereabouts to the south of the commandery and saw Xinqi sitting upright inside a brick kiln, his body radiating a wondrous light, brilliant as refined gold. The servants were astonished. Going to the next kiln, they saw another Xinqi in it. Passing through all seven kilns, each contained a Xinqi inside. From this, the people of Shan called him Master Xinqi.