法華傳記 5.50

5.50

釋明曜。未詳姓氏。志學之年。早怯俗網。問津訪道。略無常師。住昭果寺。常誦法華讀華嚴。每作佛光寺觀。曾與解脫。俱至大學寺。祈請文殊師利。至華園北見一沙門。容服非常。徐行前進。乃至東邊佛堂。將欲東趣。曜時驚喜交集。肘步而前。未至數尺。遂無所覩。悲歎久之。與脫俱返。曜形長七尺。威容都雅。談敘揚動心。有時會蹟。先往五臺。親承禮拜。語蹟云。我大業十二年。見安禪師。歷名山諸寺。禮覲聖已。今日復見法禪。是不思議。願法師長命無病。弘贊佛乘。時年一百六歲。未曾策杖。而菽采無墜焉。復不知年幾而終。

Shi Mingyao's lay surname is unknown. In the years of his aspiration to study, he took early fright at the worldly net. Seeking guidance and inquiring into the Way, he had virtually no permanent teacher. Residing at Zhaoguo Monastery, he constantly chanted the Lotus Sūtra and read the Avataṃsaka-sūtra, frequently practicing the Foguang Monastery contemplation. Once, together with Jietuo, he went to Daxue Monastery to pray to Mañjuśrī. Upon reaching the north of the flower garden, they saw a śramaṇa whose appearance and robes were extraordinary, walking slowly forward until he reached the eastern Buddha hall, about to head east. Mingyao was seized with combined shock and joy, and moved forward crawling on elbows and knees. Before he had come within several feet of him, the figure disappeared from sight. After grieving and sighing for a long time, he returned together with [Jie]tuo. Mingyao stood seven feet tall, with a fully elegant and dignified demeanor, and his spoken discourse stirred the mind. Once, when he encountered [Zhi]ji, he had previously gone to Mount Wutai and personally paid obeisance [there]. He said to [Zhi]ji: "In the twelfth year of Daye, I saw Chan Master An, traveled through famous mountains and various monasteries, and paid obeisance to the sage. Today I meet Master Fa again; this is truly inconceivable. May the Dharma Master enjoy long life free of illness, and broadly praise the Buddha Vehicle." He was then one hundred and six years of age, yet had never leaned on a staff, and his gathering of beans never slackened. It is not known at what age he died.