華嚴經傳記 2.10

2.10

Shi Tanyan, surnamed Xiahou, was a native of South Yanzhou. When first born, his teeth were already complete. At age seven he began his studies, of extraordinary brilliance. At eighteen he was recommended as an abundant talent. Coming across Master Huiguang's Dharma seat and listening, he immediately received the refuges and precepts. At age twenty-three he turned to Huiguang and went forth from home; Huiguang immediately conferred the precepts upon him. He had no spare time while listening and studying, even cutting back on food and rest. Yet, having doubts about the teachings of the canon, he inquired of great scholars, but all of them in turn were enlightened by his own intention, none able to resolve them for him. Thereupon he broadened his scope, composing a seven-fascicle Commentary on the Avataṃsaka Sūtra. He continuously conducted lectures, assisting and praising the profound principles, his voice and eloquence powerful and clear, his words suited to the capacities of the time. From Qi and Zheng to Yan and Zhao, all walked under his Dharma conversion. Those following him in doctrinal studies constantly numbered over a thousand monks, while householders who took ordination under him were nearly five hundred. After Huiguang's death, the great teaching of the Avataṃsaka flourished once again through him. Gao Yuanhai, King of Zhaojun, and Du Bi, the regional inspector of Jiaozhou, both noble kin and important ministers of the Qi court, paid him sincere respect and devotion. Zu Xiaozheng, the Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, memorialised for him to become Monastic Chief of the State, to harmonise Buddhist administration and maintain the profound web intact. On the eighteenth day of the third month in the first year of the Kaihuang era, he suddenly told his attendants: 'Impermanence has arrived.' He then recited the name of Maitreya Buddha, and his voice and breath ceased together. It was just noon; the monks by his side watched together as his complexion appeared joyous and calm. His age was seventy-nine. Whenever Tanyan relieved people with wealth, the poor and sick came first; wherever the Dharma reached, those who practised were instructed first. Whenever he saw a sūtra or an image, he unfailingly paid reverent homage, welcoming and seeing them off. When meeting the poor and base on the road, he unfailingly wept in pity and compassion. Furthermore, he always delighted in listening to the precepts, never neglecting their observance in coming or going. He never laid eyes upon pungent, raw, or foul things. Whenever bad breath or bodily gas pressed forth, he stepped outside the room so that the pure monastic chambers would not be tainted. Before his death, someone dreamed of seeing Tanyan in crimson robes and spiral hair, with sideburns hanging down his back, attended by two youths as he ascended into the sky and soared high away to the northwest. Soon afterwards he passed away. At the time, people collectively considered this to be the appearance of Vāsanti, the night goddess, who was the thirty-second good spiritual friend sought by the youth Sudhana in the Avataṃsaka Sūtra.