傳法正宗記 9.66

9.66

Śramaṇa Zhu Dali of the Yuezhi kingdom was a disciple of the twenty-third patriarch, Haklenayaśas. By nature naturally intelligent and perceptive, he was able to penetrate both the Mahāyāna and Hīnayāna teachings. In his country he was called a Tripiṭaka [master]. During the reign of Emperor Xian of the Han, he arrived in the city of Luoyang. He once collaborated with the śramaṇa Kang Mengxiang in translating the two versions of the Penqi jing. One day, a beam of white light suddenly burst forth before his lodging. Dali composed his countenance and said, 'This light is a sign that my master Haklenayaśas has entered nirvāṇa.' The assembly marveled at this and thereupon reported it to the Emperor, who immediately ordered it recorded. At that time it was the yichou year. Soon after, he traveled south of the Yangtze River. It happened that Sun Quan had proclaimed himself king in Jiankang and was just turning toward the Buddha-Dharma; he had established monasteries and paid reverent homage to the śramaṇa Kang Senghui in his state. When Senghui first met Dali, he did not treat him with much courtesy; soon, through their question and answer, they came to hold each other in high esteem. Thereupon [Senghui] asked, 'Under what teacher did you, benevolent sir, attain such ability?' Dali said, 'My teacher is Haklenayaśas; thus I attained this wondrous awakening, penetrating the minds of others.' Senghui asked, 'Among Haklena's disciples, how many possess sharp wisdom like yours, Master? And are there any who surpass you?' Dali said, 'Those like myself number three thousand. But as for one whose brilliant penetration is beyond comparison, there is only one superior man, named Monk Siṃha. He secretly received the true Dharma and succeeded to the lineage after the master, and is presently spreading the transformation throughout North India.' Senghui then ushered him to an audience with the Ruler of Wu, praising his extraordinary qualities. The Ruler of Wu then asked Dali, 'I have unworthily come to possess this land. How long shall the destiny of my state endure?' Dali then spoke a verse in reply, saying: / 'Eating rice in the clear night; / Running in combat amidst the clouds. / At the end of the fourteenth year, / You will surely encounter the pig's snout.' / At the time, Sun Quan did not comprehend his words, yet still treated him with great courtesy. Dali remained in Wu for a long time. When Sun Quan passed away and his son Sun Liang ascended the throne, they met and questioned each other even more, and all his words proved verified by events. Soon after, in the gengchen year during the reign of Sun Xiu, Dali returned once more to the Western Regions.