傳法正宗記 6.18

6.18

The Venerable Hongren was a native of Huangmei in Qiyang. His secular surname was Zhou. When his mother was pregnant with him, auspicious lights and unusual fragrances repeatedly emanated from her home. Upon being born, he was of great natural intelligence: whenever he heard or saw anything, whether difficult or easy, he understood it completely. His bearing was exceedingly extraordinary, bearing the marks of a sage. A worthy man once saw Ren in the lanes and alleys, and said to people: “This child possesses the marks of a great person; he lacks only seven marks compared to the Tathāgata.” At the age of seven, he met the Venerable Daoxin, left the household life, received the precepts, and soon received his Dharma. He succeeded him in residing at Mount Potou, and his teaching and converting grew ever more flourishing. At that time, scholars throughout the realm who admired his style flocked to him without regarding a thousand li as far. During the Xianheng era, there was a traveler known as Layman Lu, who called himself Huineng, who came to the Dharma assembly and paid homage before him. The Venerable One asked: “Where have you come from?” He replied: “I have come from Lingnan.” [The Venerable One] asked: “What matter do you seek?” He replied: “I seek only to become a Buddha.” [The Venerable One] said: “People of Lingnan have no Buddha-nature. How could you attain Buddhahood?” He replied: “People have north and south, but how could Buddha-nature be so?” The Venerable One knew he was an extraordinary person, but feigned a rebuke, saying: “Go to the stables.” Huineng immediately withdrew, sought a place in the pestle shed, and exerted his strength amidst the mortar and pestle; though months and days passed, he never spoke of toil. One day, the Venerable One, realizing the time for transmitting the Dharma had arrived, said to the assembly: “The true Dharma is difficult to understand. Each of you should compose a verse to illuminate your view. If anyone has truly attained something, I will entrust the robe and Dharma to him.” At that time, the bhikṣu Shenxiu was known for his extensive learning, and the assembly revered him as their leader, none daring to precede him. Shenxiu, considering himself to be the one recommended by the assembly, composed a verse one night and wrote it on the wall of the monastery corridor, saying: