傳法正宗記 6.14

6.14

道信尊者。其先本居河內。後遷於蘄陽之廣濟縣。信生遂為蘄人也。姓司馬氏。隋開皇壬子之十二載。以沙彌參見僧璨尊者。即問答悟道。遂北面師之。凡九年乃得其付法授衣。隋大業間。尊者甞南游至廬陵。會賊黨曹武衛。以兵圍其城七旬不解。尊者因勸城中人。皆念摩訶般若波羅蜜。賊黨俄見城堞之上有人不翅千數。皆長丈許。其介冑金色赫赫曜日。賊輩大駭相謂曰。是城必有大福德人。不可攻也。即日引去。至唐武德七年。復北趨乃居蘄之破頭山（今所謂雙峯山者也）大揚其所得之法。四方學士歸之猶日中趨市。正觀中太宗。聞其風甞三詔。尊者皆辭不起。又詔。太宗謂使臣曰。今復不從吾命。即取首來。詔至。果逆上意。尊者即引頸待刃。使者還以此奏之。太宗嘉其堅正。慰諭甚盛。至是尊者居山已二十載矣。一日往黃梅縣。途中遽見一兒好骨目。可七歲許。心奇之。因問曰。爾何姓。對曰。姓即有非常姓。曰是何姓。對曰。是佛姓。曰汝沒姓耶。對曰。其姓空故。尊者即顧從者曰。此兒非凡之器。後當大興佛事。遂使持見其父母。道兒應對之異。欲命之出家。父母從之。兒偕僧既還。尊者即為剃度。名之曰弘忍。其後乃命曰。昔如來傳正法眼轉至於我。我今付汝并前祖信衣鉢。汝皆將之。勉其傳授無使斷絕。聽吾偈曰。

Venerable Daoxin: his ancestors originally lived in Henai, and later moved to Guangji County in Qiyang. When Xin was born, he thus became a man of Qi. His surname was Sima. In the twelfth year, the renzi year, of the Kaihuang era of the Sui, as a novice monk he visited Venerable Sengcan; upon their dialogue he awakened to the Way, and thereupon faced north to serve him as master. After nine years in all, he received his transmission of the Dharma and conferring of the robe. During the Daye era of the Sui, the Venerable once traveled south to Luling. It happened that the bandit leader Cao Wuwei besieged the city with troops for seventy days without relenting. The Venerable therefore urged the people in the city all to recite Mahāprajñāpāramitā. The bandits suddenly saw men on the battlements numbering no fewer than several thousands, all over a zhang tall, their armor of golden color shining brilliantly against the sun. The bandits were terrified and said to one another, “In this city there must be a person of great blessings and virtue; it cannot be attacked.” That very day, they withdrew. In the seventh year of the Wude era of the Tang, he again went north and resided at Mount Potou in Qi (now called Mount Shuangfeng), greatly propagating the Dharma he had attained. Scholars from the four quarters flocked to him like people rushing to market at midday. During the Zhenguan era, Taizong heard of his reputation and summoned him three times, but the Venerable declined each time and did not rise. Summoning him again, Taizong said to the envoy, “If he still does not obey my command this time, bring his head.” When the edict arrived, [Daoxin] indeed went against the imperial will; the Venerable straightaway stretched out his neck to await the blade. The envoy returned and reported this to the throne. Taizong praised his steadfast uprightness and comforted and encouraged him lavishly. By this time, the Venerable had already resided on the mountain for twenty years. One day, on the way to Huangmei County, he suddenly saw a boy with fine bones and eyes, about seven years of age. He was amazed in his heart and asked him, saying, “What is your surname?” [The boy] replied, saying, “I have a surname, but it is no ordinary surname.” [Daoxin] asked, “What surname is it?” [The boy] replied, saying, “It is the Buddha surname.” [Daoxin] said, “Do you have no surname?” [The boy] replied, saying, “Because the surname is empty.” The Venerable looked back at his attendants and said, “This child is no ordinary vessel; later he will greatly promote Buddha affairs.” He then sent someone to accompany him to see his parents, telling of the child’s extraordinary responses and wishing to have him go forth. His parents consented. When the child returned with the monk, the Venerable shaved his head and ordained him, naming him Hongren. Later, he instructed him, saying, “In the past, the Tathāgata transmitted the True Dharma-eye, which was handed down to me. I now confer it upon you along with the former patriarchs' robe and bowl of trust. Take them all. Strive in their transmission; do not let them be severed. Listen to my verse:”