神僧傳 9.15

9.15

Chan Master Yunju Daojian had long entered the room of the former Yunju and served as the First Seat in the hall. When the former Yunju was about to pass away, the prior asked who was worthy of succeeding him in the south. Yunju said: "Jian in the hall." The prior took this to mean that he should choose someone qualified. All said: "The Second Seat would do. Let us prepare the protocol to invite [the First Seat]. If the First Seat modestly declines, we shall insist on the Second Seat." Having secretly received the transmission, Master [Jian] did not decline in the least; he immediately took his own monastic requisites, entered the abbot's quarters, gathered the assembly, and expounded the Dharma. The prior and others were displeased that their original intent was thwarted, and they refused to comply with the rules. Discerning their feelings, the Master quietly left. That night, the tree deity of Anle wailed and wept. At dawn, the prior and the great assembly rushed to Maizhuang, repented their fault with bitter sorrow, and begged him to return to the monastery. In mid-air, the assembly heard continuous voices shouting: "The Reverend is coming!"