集神州三寶感通錄 3.5

3.5

As for the temple on Mount Tiantai in the early Eastern Jin: In the past there was the śramaṇa Bo Daoyou, sometimes said to have had the surname Zhu. Keen on traversing mountains and rivers, he explored thoroughly their rare marvels. Having heard that from antiquity none had crossed the stone bridge of Mount Tiantai, he lamented passionately, "What kind of man is that who alone lacks steadfast integrity? Thus the holy temple is kept hidden, though face to face, a thousand li away!" He then lifted his monk's staff and went alone, proceeding straight toward the stone bridge. Looking all around at the cliffs and perils, only after a long time did he find it. On that mountain the stone bridges are more than one, and the holy temples are also many. Wishing to cross straight over, he did not spare his life. Moreover, the rainbow bridge spanned the valley, looking down ten thousand fathoms; along its top it was barely a foot wide, covered in moss and tilted diagonally. The eastern side seemed passable, but the western side was obstructed by a great rock, cutting off any path for climbing. You then conceived a different scheme. Lodging for the night to the east of the bridge, he heard from the western temple the sound of chimes, sutra chanting, and the recitation of bodhisattvas' names; his courage persisted, and he found no rest all night. He also heard a voice say, "Ten years hence you will come to dwell here; why seek it so bitterly?" Even so, he did not cease; morning and evening he lamented with regret. Weaving grass to make a hut, he spent years in Chan contemplation. Later, attempting to approach the bridge, he saw that the transverse rock had opened wide, and the path over the bridge was level and straight. Thereupon he was able to cross over. He then saw grand and imposing halls and extraordinarily magnificent painted stūpas. The divine monks received him with conversation just as if he were an old acquaintance. When the midday meal was finished and he was about to express his desire to stay, a monk said, "Ten years hence you will naturally reach this place; why labor to stay early?" Escorting him back across the bridge, the transverse rock was already blocked. In the Taiyuan era of the Jin dynasty, he passed away at his mountain dwelling. His physical form appeared greenish, sitting upright as if alive. When Wang Xizhi heard of this, he visited the site; looking up toward the cliff, he admired him with veneration. Nowadays, for anyone who goes there, clouds obscure the path.