淨土往生傳 2.5

2.5

Shi Zhishun. His secular surname was Meng, and he was a native of Dalu in Zhaozhou. In his youth he possessed unbending integrity, with an aspiration to retire lofty into the forests and springs. Soon he shaved his head, becoming even more detached from worldly customs. He served Dhyāna Master Chou of Yunmen; for more than twelve years he remained silent all day long, as though unable to speak. What he did speak of were precepts and meditation, and the reciprocal practice and realization of the stages of the three vehicles. Chou marveled at him, saying: 'With regard to human affairs, you are almost without worldly thoughts! From now on, I can discuss the teachings with you.' From then on, he daily gained new hearings and insights into the provisional and real teachings of the three vehicles, and he applied himself even more diligently to monastic practices. At times, when delusive thoughts suddenly arose, he would take an awl and prick his thigh to alert his mind. Even for slight faults, Shun acted in this same way. Because of this, defilements and habitual karmic tendencies found no opening to enter. Formerly, he practiced mindfulness and meditation together with Dharma Master Tanxun; for ten years, except for taking meals and relieving themselves, their feet did not cross the threshold. Later, hearing that the forest slopes of Mount Xuting in Zanhuang were secluded and deep, he went to dwell there. Enthusiasts often transported provisions by cart to supply his needs; Shun avoided them. When asked the reason, he replied: 'Acorns and chestnuts in the mountain dwelling are sufficient to sustain me through the seasons. What could be lacking?' Shun was utterly simple in conduct and supremely benevolent in nature. Among living beings, even those as minute as ants and insects, he never harmed. How much more so for other creatures! When someone ate their blood and flesh, Shun would inevitably say: 'In the distinct forms of the six destinies, there is none through which you have not passed. All sentient beings have been your parents; all living creatures have been your own former bodies. Eating their flesh is eating your parents; consuming their blood is consuming your own physical form. Why do you not pity them as your parents' bodies and your own limbs?' Those who heard this reformed their hearts. Once, a hunter drove a pheasant into his room; Shun urged him to release it, but could not turn his intention. He then took a knife, severed one of his own ears, and presented it to him, saying: 'I cannot turn your intention because you are greedy for its flesh. I wish to offer this in its stead.' The hunter was greatly astonished. Thereafter, among the customs of Xuting, eighty to ninety percent abandoned hunting. Shun lived at Xuting for a long time, and the inhabitants at the foot of the mountain came in crowds to rely upon and admire him. Shun took no pleasure in this, and entered the southern ravine of Mount Zhanghong to focus even more exclusively on mindfulness and meditation. In the tenth year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui, Emperor Wen, knowing of Shun's bitter diligence, specially issued an imperial decree: 'The Emperor respectfully inquires after Dhyāna Master Shun of the southern ravine of Mount Zhanghong: In the extreme cold of winter, is your taste of the Way peaceful and secure? You encourage the common folk and accomplish supreme karmic deeds; We greatly praise this power of vows. Now We dispatch Lu Yuanshou, Commander of the Unequaled Opening of the Office, to personally convey Our intention, and furthermore summon the Dhyāna Master to come to the traveling imperial court.' Shun submitted a memorial expressing gratitude and declining due to illness. The people revered his virtue and erected a monastery for him to reside in. Later, he rested at Dalin Monastery on Mount Lu. Because Master Yuan in former times had practiced with the Pure Society of the Lotus Dais, and his remaining traces were still clearly present, Shun thereupon followed in his earlier footsteps, cultivating the sixteen contemplations. Day after day, he directed his mindful thoughts toward the various contemplation gates. In his later years, the monastics and laypeople of Yuzhang requested him to lecture on the Contemplation Sūtra. Shun said: 'The Contemplation Sūtra is the Pure Land teaching; the Pure Land is what I practice. How could I refuse them in this? I shall comply with their request.' On the fifth day after concluding the lectures, he fell ill. Another day during his illness, Shun himself saw hundreds of parrots and peacocks flocking together, reciting the Buddha, reciting the Dharma, and reciting all the pāramitās, accompanied by exquisite sounds. Shun then forced himself to rise and told his disciples: 'Parrots and peacocks have gathered together in flocks, and furthermore recite the Buddha and recite the Dharma before me. This must be the Transformation Lord of the Pure Land showing an advance manifestation to aid me. Today I shall surely pass away.' Soon afterward, it happened indeed as he had said.