華嚴經傳記 3.8

3.8

Śramaṇa Dao'ang: his secular surname is not known; he was a native of Weijun. His spiritual disposition was clear and penetrating, soaring high above the worldly realm. His intuitive wisdom matured early, barely needing awakening. At first, he turned to Dharma Master Lingyu and went forth from the household life. Having bathed in his pure transforming influence, he served him intimately with love and reverence. As the years went by, his footsteps equaled the highest ranks. At the temple on Mount Hanling, he frequently harmonized the initial teachings; the sun shining upon the high mountain was happily realized in this. In lecturing on the Avataṃsaka Sūtra and the Daśabhūmika-śāstra, he truly surpassed former masters. Also, once on the night of giving a lecture, there was ordinarily no lamp or candle; Dao'ang raised his palm high to show it, and it emitted a halo of light, brightly illuminating the hall. When the great assembly saw the auspicious sign, they wondered where it came from. Dao'ang said, "This light is constantly present in my hand; what is there to marvel at?" His merit was profound indeed and truly beyond measure. In the remaining years of transforming beings, his aspiration was set on the Western region, and he constantly vowed to be born in Sukhāvatī. Later, knowing that his lifespan had reached its limit, he announced it in advance to those with whom he had affinity, but at the time no one could fathom his words. When the expected month arrived, he showed no signs of illness at all. He asked whether the time for the midday meal had arrived; as the sunlight reached the south, he mounted the high seat, his body bearing wondrous signs and the incense burner giving off an extraordinary fragrance. He then led the fourfold assembly to receive the bodhisattva precepts; his words and principles were incisive and essential, piercing the hearts of the listeners. At that time, the sevenfold assembly surrounded him, partaking of the taste of the Dharma. Dao'ang raised his eyes and looked up high, whereupon he saw celestial beings in colorful array and a rich ensemble of strings and pipes. From among them a voice spoke to the assembly, saying, "The musical sounds of the Tuṣita Heaven have descended to welcome you." Dao'ang said, "The heavenly realm is the root of birth and death; it has never been my vow. I have always prayed in my heart for the Pure Land; how could this sincerity not be fulfilled?" Having said this, he watched the heavenly music soar upward and disappear in a moment. Then he saw the incense, flowers, and heavenly music of the Western region surging forth and circling above his crown; the entire assembly saw this. Dao'ang said, "Great assembly, stay well! Now the auspicious signs have come to welcome me, and I must depart." Having said this, the incense burner was seen falling from his hand, and he passed away on the high seat. His age was eighty-nine; it was the eighth month of the seventh year of Zhenguan. Monastics and laypeople observed this together, weeping and wailing like collapsing mountains. When he was about to be laid in the casket, characters such as "Hall of Universal Light" appeared on the soles of his feet. Unless one's realization matches the sacred scriptures and one's conduct accords with those close to sagehood, how could such an auspicious response be displayed? He was sent to Mount Hanling, where a cave was carved out for his resting place. Passing through spring, his body did not decay, sitting upright and dignified.