釋門自鏡錄 1.83

1.83

Huixiu, courtesy name Maoyuan, had the secular surname Tang and lived at Changgan Monastery. He was reckless and unrestrained, fond of wine and lust. Disdaining the monastic assembly and yearning for worldly ways, he took up the brush to compose writings, and his literary phrasing was resplendent. Not only did those in black robes swallow their voices, but worldly people also held their tongues. Thereupon his fame rose suddenly and his talent stood out sharply; the elegance and beauty of his works surpassed ancient songs. When they circulated to the east, they were all considered fine verses that made paper expensive, admired beyond compare. Considering himself of humble status, he did not wish to renounce the monastic path. At that time, men of pure virtue and eminent talent all admired and cherished him. When Emperor Xiaowu, Sejo of Song, took the throne, he first decreed that Huixiu return to lay life and appointed him as Attendant Officer of Literature in Yangzhou. His spirits having already been high, he felt great shame. It happened that he was sent out to serve as Magistrate of Jurong, where he died disappointed. This comes from Shen Yue's *Book of Song*.