景德傳燈錄 12.16

12.16

Chan Master Wenxi of Hangzhou was a native of Yuer in Jiahe. His family name was Zhu. He left home at the age of seven. In the second year of the Kaicheng era of the Tang, he received the full precepts in Zhao Commandery. At first he studied the Four-Part Vinaya. Encountering the abolition of the teachings during the Huichang era, he returned to lay clothes and concealed his light. At the beginning of the Dazhong era, following the general pardon, he was re-ordained through repentance at Qifeng Temple in Yanguan. Later he called on Chan Master Xingkong of Mount Daci. Xingkong said, 'Why do you not travel and study everywhere?' In the third year of the Xiantong era, he arrived at Guanyin Cloister in Hongzhou and met Yangshan. Upon a single phrase he was suddenly enlightened and matched Yangshan's mind. Yangshan had him manage the permanent property of the monastery. One day an unusual monk came asking for a vegetarian meal; the master reduced his own portion to provide it to him. Yangshan knew of it in advance and asked, 'Did you give food just now to the person of attained fruit?' He replied, 'I gave up my own share to make the offering.' Yangshan said, 'You have gained great benefit.' In the seventh year he returned to western Zhejiang and stayed at Mount Qianqing, building a hut to dwell in. Encountering the chaos of the rebel Huang Chao, he took refuge in Huzhou and resided at Renwang Cloister. In the third year of the Guangqi era, Prince Qian invited him to reside at the government office of Longquan (now the Ciguang Cloister). A monk asked, 'What is the appearance of nirvāṇa?' The master said, 'Examine it where the incense smoke is exhausted.' [A monk] asked, 'What is the great meaning of the Buddha Dharma?' The master said, 'Call the director of the cloister; this monk has gone mad.' [A monk] asked, 'What is oneself?' The master was silent. The monk was at a loss, and asked again. The master said, 'The blue sky is dim and overcast; do not fly toward the side of the moon.' In the first year of the Dashun era, Prince Qian memorialized to recommend him, and he was bestowed the purple robe. In the fourth year of the Qianning era, [the prince] again memorialized for a master's title, which was granted as 'Wuzhuo' (Without Attachment). In the third year of the Guanghua era he showed illness. On the twenty-seventh day of the tenth month, at the hour of the rat, he addressed the assembly, saying, 'When the mind of the three realms is exhausted, that is nirvāṇa.' Having spoken, he sat cross-legged and passed away. His age was eighty; his monastic age was sixty. At his passing, the abbot's quarters emitted a white light, and the bamboo and trees turned the same colour. On the twenty-second day of the eleventh month, his stupa was moved to the western gorge of Mount Lingyin. (In the second year of the Tianyou era, Tian Yun, the commander of Xuancheng, mutinied in response to the Hangzhou general Xu Si, unleashing troops in great plundering. They opened the master's stupa and saw that his flesh body was uncorrupted and his hair and nails had all grown. Prince Wusu marvelled at it, and dispatched the junior general Shao Zhi to reseal and inter it.)