華嚴經傳記 4.9

4.9

Monk Tanyi of the Sui dynasty was a man from Bingzhou. He went forth from the household life in his youth and resided at Shilisic temple, strictly maintaining the prohibitive precepts and declining all worldly affairs. Practicing the rigorous disciplines of dhūta, he constantly resided on Mount Wutai, wishing to rely upon the Great Master Mañjuśrī to spur him on in cultivating supreme practice. Every day he recited the Lotus Sūtra twice and read one case of the Avataṃsaka [Sūtra], taking this as his constant practice. Practicing like this, he accumulated years. Later, together with his disciple Tanxun, he travelled through the various terraces, bowing and making offerings. When he arrived at the South Terrace, he saw a bhikṣuṇī whose name was unknown. Her hemp robes were coarse and simple, and her demeanor was pure and elegant. When he reached her dwelling place, it was empty, without any buildings; he saw only where she sat, with wooden pegs driven all around and grass gathered into a mat. The mat served as the head seat, and she sat cross-legged in the middle of it. Tanyi then exchanged greetings about the weather and asked what practice she pursued. The nun replied, "I only recite the Avataṃsaka." Tanyi then requested to hear it. The nun said, "Today, between you, Virtuous One, and myself, there is the difference between monk and nun. The sun is already setting; it is not suitable for you to remain here. Please go south of the valley and stay in a stone chamber." Tanyi hesitated and did not leave; the nun was about to rise and avoid him herself. Tanyi said, "My intention was hoping to hear the Avataṃsaka; that is why I hesitated with longing." The nun said, "Just go there to lodge; you should also be able to hear it." Tanyi then followed her words and went to that stone chamber, separated by a valley about five or six li away. Burning incense to make offerings from afar, he then heard the nun reciting the Avataṃsaka, the sound and rhythm distinct and clear, as if right beside him. When she first recited the first [scroll], from afar he saw light issuing from both corners of the nun's mouth. By the second scroll, the brightness grew even stronger. From the third onward, the light filled the mountain valleys like broad daylight; from afar he could see the nun's form as though face to face. Later, by the fifth watch, the two cases were just completed. Later, when she had recited through to the sixth case, the light gradually gathered back; at the moment the scripture was concluded, the light had also completely vanished. When dawn arrived, Tanyi and his companion brought incense and flowers to present offerings, made extensive great vows, bowed in farewell, and returned. Later, together with various others, he searched for her again, but her whereabouts were unknown. Tanyi's disciple Tanxun later went to Taiyuansi in the capital and recounted this personally to Dharma Master Xianshou.