釋門自鏡錄 1.38

1.38

The monk Sengyun—it is not known where he was from—was intelligent, eloquent, and fully versed in both the Mahāyāna and the Hīnayāna. He resided at Baoming Monastery, serving as a leader among the saṃgha. On the fifteenth day of the fourth month, when it was time to recite the precepts, the saṃgha assembled in the hall, and Sengyun sat as the senior seat. He then addressed the assembly, saying: 'The prātimokṣa merely prevents wrongdoing, and everyone can recite it. Why trouble the assembly to hear it repeatedly? We might rather defend a thesis once, so that the younger generation may achieve enlightenment.' His stature was such at the time that none dared oppose him. All complied with him, and throughout the end of the summer retreat the recitation of the precepts was regularly abolished. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, as he was about to mount the grass seat, Sengyun's whereabouts were lost. Since the new monastic age had not yet been received and the pravāraṇā would mutually be abandoned, the great assembly rushed forth in confusion in all four directions to search for him. They then found him inside an ancient tomb about three li beside the monastery. His whole body was streaming with blood, as if sliced by knives. When asked the reason, he said: 'There was a gentleman holding a three-foot broadsword, who angrily reproached me for altering the poṣadha and falsely ordering the defence of a thesis. He mincemeated my body with the sword, causing unbearable pain.' They then supported him and returned to the monastery. Sengyun repented with all his heart, and over ten years he made reciting the precepts, holding poṣadha, and chanting the various sūtras his regular practice. On the day of his death, an extraordinary fragrance welcomed him; his countenance was undisturbed, and he passed away joyfully.