弘贊法華傳 6.9

6.9

Shi Fazong was a native of Linhai; his clan is unknown. In his youth, he was fond of hunting. Once, in Shan, he shot a pregnant deer, causing it to miscarry; with the arrow still in its mouth, the mother deer went over to the ground and licked its fawn. Zong thereupon realized that clinging to life and loving one's offspring is shared by all conscious beings. Thereupon, he broke his bow, snapped his arrows, and went forth from the household to pursue the Way. He constantly supported himself by begging for food, observed the rule of eating one meal [a day], and practiced diligently throughout the six periods of the day to repent for his past misdeeds. He recited the Lotus and the Vimalakīrti. He constantly ascended a platform to chant, his voice audible far and wide. Scholars and commoners who received the refuges and precepts from him numbered more than three thousand. He then expanded his dwelling into a vihāra, and because of his recitation, called himself 'Fahua Tai' (Lotus Platform). His end was not known.