景德傳燈錄 4.40

4.40

Chan Master Shenxiu of the Northern School (Tripiṭaka Master Yaśas's record says: "The profound purport arises in the land of Gen; the honored one of penetrative wisdom is honored also by the enchanting one. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the three and nine clans, beneath his feet a single hair splits") was a native of Weishi in Kaifeng. His surname was Li. In his youth, he applied himself to Confucian studies, being broadly versed and widely learned. Soon he abandoned attachments, left home, and traveled to seek a master and inquire after the Way. Reaching the Dongshan Temple on Shuangfeng in Qizhou, he encountered the Fifth Patriarch, Master Ren, who made seated meditation his primary concern. [Shenxiu] sighed in admiration and submission, saying, "This is truly my master!" He vowed to endure hardship and frugality, tasking himself with gathering firewood and drawing water in pursuit of his Way. Ren silently recognized him and held him in deep esteem, saying to him, "I have liberated many people; as for awakening and understanding, none can equal you." After Ren's parinirvāṇa, Xiu went to dwell on Mount Dangyang in Jiangling. When Empress Wu of the Tang heard of him, she summoned him to the capital, made offerings to him in the inner palace chapel, and treated him with extraordinary reverence. She ordered that the Dumen Temple be established on his former mountain to illustrate his virtue. At that time, princes, dukes, scholars, and commoners all bowed in submission from afar. When Zhongzong ascended the throne, he showed him even greater reverence. The grand minister Zhang Yue once inquired into the essentials of the Dharma and observed the etiquette of a disciple toward him. The Master had a verse to instruct the assembly, which said: