集古今佛道論衡 4.10

4.10

an imperial envoy reported to Xuanzang, saying, "The seven monks entered the palace to debate with the Daoist priests. Five of them won great victories; the master from Binzhou was the best. Although two have not yet debated, they should similarly be victorious." Huili was of the Zhao clan. His ancestor was the descendant of Boyi, Zao; his father had rendered meritorious service to King Mu of Zhou and was enfeoffed at Zhaocheng, hence taking it as their surname. Zhao Cui and Zhao Dun were his distant ancestors. As they followed official postings east and west, they became natives of Xinping in Beidi. His grandfather Li was Grand Master of the Palace, General Who Pacifies the East, Upper Pillar of State, and Marquis of Longmen under the Northern Zhou. His father Yi was Gentleman of the Secretarial Court and Regional Inspector of the Metropolitan Area under the Sui; he honored Confucianism and was fond of the Dao, compiling twenty-five fascicles of the Daily Records of Emperor Wen and three fascicles of the Summary Record of the Daye Era, both of which were stored in the imperial library. Dong Hu's straight brush was indeed possessed by him! Huili was the third son of the Regional Inspector. In his youth he suffered bereavement. He had an uncle, Dharma Master Zhao, who took him in and lovingly raised him. At age fifteen, in the third year of Zhenguan, he went forth from household life and dwelt at Zhaoren Temple in Binzhou. Restrained by the official registry, he had no means to travel far for study. Possessing natural knowing and extraordinary penetration, he was untainted by vulgar currents. His aspirations looked up to past paragons; his plans and strategies were wise and perceptive. Thereupon he borrowed the scriptures and histories, investigating both the internal and external texts. Ceaselessly exerting himself, he held up a mirror to past and present. Residing in the northern wastes for over twenty years, his fame and honor were immense, shining brightly toward the capital. When the master of Ci'en translated the scriptures, he inquired widely among the hermits and recluses; because of Huili's literary eloquence and surging renown, this summons was extended to him. In the first year of Yonghui, he was recommended to report to the Department of State Affairs, and in accordance with the summons joined the translation work. Having been imbued with the iris and orchid, his fragrance became even finer. From the time he arrived at the imperial capital, he frequently climbed the imperial carriage-steps; keeping pure observances and practicing the Dao, he took the lead and brought all to completion. Therefore, the bringing to fruition of achievements was all due to Huili's ability, and the shining glory of the debates on the Dao was all due to Huili's strength. Time and again he was heaped with imperial bestowals, fully distinguishing himself among the monastic community. Since this is not the foundation of the teaching, it is briefly passed over and not narrated. Yet his voice and eloquence were broad and rich, pouring forth like flowing clouds; in matters, he surpassed prepared scripts, and was indeed difficult to compete with. Thus he broke down the strong and aggressive, bowing before the emperor. The emperor asked his attendants, "What man is this?" They answered, "He is originally a monk of Youzhou." Therefore the emperor regarded him with special favor, which truly matched his transcendent dust. Time and again the emperor said to Xuanzang, "The master from Youzhou is very fine!" These words had deep meaning. By the seventh month, an imperial decree appointed the Chamberlain for Dependencies Wei Qingjian to fill the post of rector of Ximing Temple. By nature Huili was unaccustomed to clamor, so he went to the palace gate to decline and resign, but the relevant authorities suppressed it and would not submit the memorial. Thus he managed the monastic affairs without letting the standard regulations decline.