弘贊法華傳 3.15

3.15

Shi Yuanguang was a native of Silla. His ancestors were descendants of the Three Han. According to the Liang zhigongtu, 'The state of Silla was called Silu in the Wei, and Silla in the Song; it was originally a state of Jinhan among the eastern barbarians.' Guang's family had been an illustrious clan for generations, endowed with deep faith from past lives. Early on he encountered good conditions, turning from illusion to the dyed robes. He diligently cultivated mindfulness and wisdom, his capacity and understanding surpassing others. Whatever met his eyes he would retain in memory; wherever his mind ranged he would awaken. Yet because he was born in a frontier territory where the right teaching was not yet thoroughly pervasive, during the Renshou reign era of the Sui, he came to the Wu region. He happened to meet Zhizhe, who had attained the right, propagating the wondrous scripture. [Guang] first bowed before him morning and evening, his practice and understanding being mutually profound; within a few years, he suddenly attained great enlightenment. Zhizhe promptly ordered him to take the seat and lecture on the Wondrous Lotus Sūtra; among the talented companions, none failed to submit with their spirits. Later, in a separate courtyard on Tiantai, while cultivating wondrous contemplation, he suddenly saw several people saying that the Lord of Devas invited him to lecture. Guang silently assented. Thereupon, his breath suddenly ceased; after ten days, his facial complexion was as normal, and he returned to his original consciousness. After completing his capacity and undertakings, as he was about to return to his homeland, he boarded a large vessel together with several tens of people. When they reached the middle of the sea, the ship suddenly stopped moving. They saw a person riding a horse skimming over the waves, arriving at the ship's prow and saying, 'The Sea Deity invites the Master to come briefly to the palace to lecture.' Guang said, 'This body of this poor monk is vowed to benefit beings. Yet I do not know what will become of the ship and the other companions.' That person said, 'All the people will go together; do not worry about the ship either.' Thereupon, the entire assembly disembarked together. Walking a few paces, they saw only a broad thoroughfare, level and straight, with fragrant flowers lining the road. The Sea Deity led a hundred attendants to welcome them into the palace. Pearls and jade disks shone resplendently, dazzling the eyes and mind. [Guang] then lectured on the Lotus Sūtra once for them; [the deity] generously bestowed precious treasures and escorted them back onto the ship. Once Guang arrived in his home country, he constantly propagated this scripture, widely opening the Dharma gate; he truly had great merit. Moreover, having chanted and upheld it since youth more than once a day, up until the exhaustion of his karmic retribution, this practice never flagged. Nearing eighty years of age, he passed away at his dwelling. After the cremation was completed, the skull and tongue alone remained intact. All throughout the country who heard and saw it sighed that it was rare. Guang had two younger sisters who had early cherished pure faith; they collected them to make offerings, and frequently heard the tongue recite the Lotus Sūtra by itself. When the sisters came upon characters in the Lotus Sūtra they did not recognise, whenever they asked it, it would explain them. There was a Silla monk named Lianyi, just eighty years old, wearing tattered robes and eating one meal a day, whose ascetic discipline was beyond compare; he lodged together with me, and therefore recounted this matter, which is recorded as such.