傳法正宗記 5.13

5.13

菩提達磨尊者。南天竺國人也。姓剎帝利。初名菩提多羅。亦號達磨多羅。父曰香至。蓋其國之王。達磨即王之第三子也。生而天性高勝。卓然不輩。諸子雖處家已能趣佛理。及般若多羅說法王宮。乃得相見。尋答般若問珠之義。才辯清發稱有理趣。般若奇之。默許其法器。及父厭代。遂辭諸兄。從般若出家曰。我素不顧國位。欲以法利物。然未得其師。久有所待。今遇尊者出家決矣。願悲智見客。般若受其禮。為之剃度曰。汝先入定。蓋在日光三昧耳。汝於諸法已得通量。今宜以菩提達磨為汝之名。會聖僧與受具戒。當此其地三震。月明晝現。尊者尋亦成果。自此其國俗因以達磨多羅稱之。亦曰菩提王子。遂事其師更四十餘載。而般若乃以法付之。益囑尊者曰。汝且化此國。後於震旦當有大因緣。然須我滅後六十七載。乃可東之。汝若速往恐衰於日下。尊者既稟其命。復問般若曰。若我東往。其國千載之下頗有難耶。得大法器繼吾道乎。般若多羅曰。法之所往。其趣法者。繁若稻麻竹葦。不可勝數。然其國當我滅後六十餘載。必有難作水中文布。善自降之。然汝至彼南方。不可即住。蓋其天王方好有為。恐不汝信。聽吾偈曰。

The Venerable Bodhidharma was a native of southern Tianzhu, belonging to the kṣatriya caste. Originally named Bodhitāra, he was also called Dharmatrāta. His father, named Sugandha, was the king of that realm, and Bodhidharma was the king's third son. Naturally lofty and superior by nature from birth, he was exceptionally peerless. Although living at home, the sons were already capable of turning toward Buddhist principles. When Prajñātāra preached the Dharma at the royal palace, he met him. Soon, when answering Prajñātāra's inquiry about the meaning of the jewel, his talent and eloquence shone forth with clear discernment that accorded with principles. Prajñātāra marveled at him and silently recognized him as a Dharma vessel. When his father passed away, he took leave of his brothers and left household life under Prajñātāra, saying: 'I have never cared for royal status, and wish to benefit beings with the Dharma. Yet having found no teacher, I have waited for a long time. Now meeting the Venerable, my determination to leave household life is set. I pray you receive me with compassion and wisdom.' Prajñātāra accepted his homage and shaved his head, saying: 'When you entered samādhi earlier, you were in the samādhi of solar brilliance. You have already attained universal insight into all dharmas; now it is fitting to name you Bodhidharma.' He assembled holy monks to confer the full precepts upon him. At that moment, the earth shook three times, and the bright moon appeared by day. The Venerable soon attained the fruit [of enlightenment]. From then on, the customs of that kingdom called him Dharmatrāta, or Prince Bodhi. He then served his master for more than forty years, after which Prajñātāra entrusted the Dharma to him, further instructing the Venerable: 'For now, teach in this kingdom. Later, in Cīnasthāna, you will have great causal affinity. However, you must wait until sixty-seven years after my nirvāṇa before you may go east. If you go hastily, I fear you will wither under the sun.' Having received his instruction, the Venerable asked Prajñātāra again: 'If I go east, will there be difficulties in that land after a thousand years? Will I find a great Dharma vessel to succeed our way?' Prajñātāra said, 'Where the Dharma goes, those seeking the Dharma will be as plentiful as rice, hemp, bamboo, and reeds, beyond count. Yet in that realm, sixty-odd years after my nirvāṇa, a difficulty will surely arise with the water-patterned cloth; skillfully subdue it. But when you arrive in the south there, you must not stay immediately, for their ruler currently delights in conditioned acts, and I fear he will not believe you. Listen to my verse:'