弘贊法華傳 6.31

6.31

Śramaṇa Zhideng was a man of unknown origin. From his youth he harboured virtue and morality. At the Dalin bodhimanda on Mount Kuang, he recited the Lotus Sūtra day and night without rest. After three years, in his thoughts he suddenly saw a silver hall in the air, directly above his head. After another three years had passed, the silver hall came slightly closer, hanging directly over the crown of his head. After a long time like this, the silver hall he beheld turned into a golden hall. Gradually drawing nearer, it eventually entered his room; whether his eyes were open or closed, it was always before his bed. After a long while, Deng tentatively thought to lighten his body and enter the hall; he then saw that he was already seated within it, feeling extremely joyful. When he generated the intention to leave, he immediately returned to his original bed. Having tested this several tens of times, his deep faith grew ever greater. Since Deng had accumulated practice over the years, his fame spread far and near; those seeking to take refuge and receive the precepts grew in devotion with each passing day. However, he indulged in his love for seclusion and tranquility, and detested worldly noise. Though they tried a hundred ways to invite him, none could induce him to come. Later, when the Prince of Jin'an was returning downriver from Yongzhou to Yangdu, he sent repeated letters of earnest invitation, with the caps and carriages of his emissaries facing one another along the road. The prince said, 'If the Dharma Master will not condescend to come, this disciple will stand waiting on tiptoe like a crane, refusing to sleep or eat.' Since the prince pleaded so bitterly, and monastics and laypeople from the entire city joined in earnest appeals to beseech him, Deng thereupon temporarily accommodated the wishes of all and went down to the city to respond to the summons. When he met the prince, the prince immediately performed the rites of a disciple. Next, the monastics and laypeople of the walled city begged to receive the precepts. Deng said, 'The daylight is noisy and chaotic, causing the mind to be scattered; let us set the time for the night.' Thereupon, the monastics and laypeople, thirsting in devotion, gathered in the temple at night. Deng then went out and sat in the dark in front of the courtyard, not permitting candles. Once the assembly had gathered, with palms joined in single-minded devotion, Deng began to explain the aspects of the precepts. When he reached the precept of taking refuge in the True Dharma, light emitted from his lips and illuminated the entire assembly. When the assembly saw the light, filled with mingled sorrow and joy, they vied to bow and prostrate; the clamor was so loud that the precepts could not be administered. Deng then closed his mouth and spoke no more, and the light ceased to shine. Deng said, 'You originally wished to receive the bodhisattva precepts, not to come merely to bow to a light. Why, seeing the light, do you vie to prostrate, abandoning the reception of the precepts? The precept text says: "The precept light emits from the mouth"; this merely confirms the mark of the precepts, it is not the precepts themselves. Just now, as I was about to confer the precepts, the assembly broke into clamor; before the Dharma of the precepts could arise, we should begin anew from the start.' The assembly listened in silence. He spoke again on the aspects of the precepts; when he reached the precept of taking refuge in the True Dharma, light once more emitted from his mouth. The assembly again rose to bow, and the commotion and confusion prevented the conferral of the precepts once more. Deng again restrained them, admonishing them to listen quietly, but the clamor grew even worse. The night passed until dawn; word spread through the city, and people vied to come and watch, so that the precepts could not be received. The next day, Deng returned to the mountain and saw the golden hall again. Thereupon he said to his fellow practitioners, 'Deng shall ascend into the hall today and will not return.' Thereupon, after several days, he passed away.