景德傳燈錄 1.62

1.62

The third patriarch was Śāṇavāsa (The *Zhengzong ji* states: 'In Sanskrit, Śāṇaka, translated here as "natural garments," because he had garments on his body from birth.' The *Zhilin* of Hong Juefan states: 'It refers to the saṅghāṭī robe, being the same as Yunyan's. Yet the *Transmission of the Lamp* says "natural garments," namely the name of an auspicious nine-branched grass in the Western Regions, which is unclear.') He was a native of Mathurā. He was also named Śāṇavāsa, and his surname was Vaiśya. His father was Lin Sheng; his mother was Jiao Sheye. He was born after six years in the womb. In Sanskrit, he is called Śāṇaka; translated here, it means 'natural garments', which is the name of an auspicious nine-branched grass of the Western Regions. When an arhat or holy person descends to be born, this grass grows in clean and pure ground. When Śāṇavāsa was born, this auspicious grass appeared in response. Formerly, when the Tathāgata was traveling and converting beings, he arrived in Mathurā. Seeing a lush green grove with dense branches and leaves, he said to Ānanda: 'The name of this grove's ground is Urumuṇḍa. One hundred years after my extinction, there will be a bhikṣu named Śāṇavāsa who will turn the wondrous wheel of Dharma on this ground.' After one hundred years, he was indeed born. Śāṇavāsa went forth from home, realized the Path, and received the Dharma Eye from the Venerable Qingxi (Ānanda). He converted and guided sentient beings, and stopped at this grove, where he subdued two fire dragons, causing them to submit to the Buddhist teachings. The dragons then donated their land to erect a pure monastery. After teaching for a long time, the Venerable thought of transmitting the correct Dharma. Soon, in the country of Ca-li, he obtained Upagupta to be his attendant. He then asked Upagupta: 'How old are you?' He answered: 'I am seventeen.' The master asked: 'Is your body seventeen, or is your nature seventeen?' He answered: 'Master, your hair is already white. Is your hair white, or is your mind white?' The master said: 'Only my hair is white, not my mind.' Upagupta said: 'My body is seventeen, not my nature.' Śāṇavāsa knew that he was a vessel for the Dharma. Three years later, he shaved his head and gave him full ordination. He then told him: 'Formerly, the Tathāgata entrusted the unsurpassed Treasury of the Correct Dharma Eye to Kāśyapa, and it was transmitted successively down to me. I now entrust it to you; do not let it be severed. Receive my teaching and listen to my gāthā.'