華嚴經傳記 2.6

2.6

Ratnamati—in Wei [Chinese] called Baoyi ("Treasure Mind")—was a native of Central India. Vastly wealthy in learning, he penetrated both principle and phenomena. He recited one hundred million verses, each verse having thirty-two syllables. He was especially clear on the methods of dhyāna, his mind set on traveling and transforming [beings]. In the fifth year of the Zhengshi reign, he first arrived in Luoyi, translating twenty-four fascicles of treatises such as the Daśabhūmika[-śāstra]. From the beginning, his spiritual insight was uniquely distinguished and his wisdom and comprehension were peerless; he understood and checked the Wei language, penetrating all its subtle corners. The emperor repeatedly ordered him to lecture on the Avataṃsaka Sūtra; his exposition and unravelling brought awakening, his refined meaning continuously emerging. One day, while properly seated upon the high seat, suddenly there appeared someone holding a tablet and a roster, shaped like an officer of the grand palace, who said, "The Heavenly Emperor has commanded me to invite the Dharma Master to lecture on the Avataṃsaka Sūtra." [Ratna]mati said, "This Dharma assembly has not yet paused; wait until the sūtra text is finished, and I will follow your order. However, the requirements of a Dharma service cannot be accomplished alone: the chief chanter (dujiang), the incense burner, the karmadāna (weina), and the chanter of Sanskrit hymns (fanbai) are all needed. Please summon them now." The envoy acted according to his words; all the monks in the lecture assembly witnessed this together. Soon, as the Dharma service was nearing completion, the former envoy was seen again, saying, "Receiving the Heavenly Emperor's command, I have come down to welcome you." [Ratna]mati smiled gently, bid farewell to the assembly in peaceful delight, and suddenly passed away upon the Dharma seat. The chief chanter and other monks also died at the same time. Throughout the borders of Wei, all who heard or saw this marveled at it.