法華傳記 3.20

3.20

Shi Zhiyin originally had the surname Jia, and was a native of Loufan in Yanmen, a descendant five generations removed from Master Huiyuan. His family met with misfortune, his ancestors died young, and he was raised by his maternal grandfather. At the age of ten he left home. His spiritual nature was intelligent, and he was endowed with innate natural understanding. He sought out the Path and received the Lotus Sūtra, thoroughly mastering its profound principles. He lectured on the sūtra one hundred and fifty times; crows and doves entered the hall to listen to the lecture, and wild boars and deer stayed by his side without leaving. At first, he lectured through the entire work at once. He dreamt of a foreign monk who said to him: "Your exposition is good; next lecture on it roll by roll." Thereupon Yin lectured roll by roll. He dreamt again: "Lecturing roll by roll was very fine; now lecture chapter by chapter." Yin then lectured chapter by chapter. He dreamt again: "Lecturing chapter by chapter was very good; you must compose a commentary." Yin then composed a commentary, and made a vow, saying: "If my commentary does not deviate from the Buddha's intention, let burning the commentary serve as proof!" He gathered firewood, placed the commentary upon it, and applied fire; a fine rain fell, the fire was extinguished, and the commentary was unharmed. Those who saw and heard this marveled in praise, and those hurrying to gaze upon his lecture hall were like a crowded market. (Xinlu)