集神州三寶感通錄 3.8

3.8

At the beginning of the Northern Qi, there was an extraordinary monk who went to a monastery in Ye for the summer retreat. He became close friends with Wangming, a monk who shared his room, and their minds were in harmony. The visiting monk suffered severely from dysentery and was in great distress. Wangming offered him wine. The guest said, "I cannot." Wangming said, "Just drink it. Although it is a preceptual prohibition, when one is afflicted it is permitted." Knitting his brows, the guest drank it on his account, and his illness subsided. When the summer ended, he took his leave to return to his original monastery. As Wangming saw him off outside the capital, the guest said, "Have you ever heard of Zhulin Temple on Mount Gu?" Wangming said, "I have heard of it. From ancient times it has been a hollow rumor, and ultimately no one has ever reached it." The guest said, "If one has no heart to visit it, how could one reach it? Sharing a room for a summer, I troubled and disturbed you greatly. Supplying wine when I suffered from dysentery was truly a fine medicine. Originally it was not what I desired, but I drank it on account of illness. I hope you will not let this reach others. The mountain monastery is solitary and distant, but you may tour it at times. I hope you will make the climb once to fulfill your empty longing." Hearing this, Wangming leapt with joy and said, "If you can indeed guide me there, I would die in the evening without regret. Around the ninth month I definitely hope to seek you out; happily bestow your guidance, for otherwise there will be no way." The guest said, "If you come, you may ascend from the eastern face of Mount Gu. Cross a small valley eastward, and then go up to the northeast, and you will arrive at the mountain monastery." When the appointed time arrived, [Wangming] went directly to Shiku Temple together with five or six curious companions. The mountain monks said, "Why have you come?" He said, "We wish to go to Zhulin; our path lies through here." The monks said, "Worldly people are ridiculous, listening solely to bizarre talk. I have roamed and crossed both east and west on this mountain; where is there any monastery? Ancient sayings have had this; you need not bother going." Wangming said, "That guest's words were by no means rash; how could they be false? I must simply seek it out. If I seek and do not find it, the fault is not mine." A dozen monks of Shiku Temple accompanied them. Following the directions, they ascended eastward, crossed a valley, and sought along the ridge. Suddenly they saw an old man holding a mattock and clearing the ground. They also saw a monk arrive, weeding all around the grain, holding a hoe and dragging a mattock, who said, "Last year the monks from the official monastery let loose their horses and ate all my grain. This year they come again to trample my autumn sprouts!" Raising his mattock, he chased the monks, and they all turned back. Only Wangming alone went up to the northeast. The old man said, "I let you go up the mountain to be eaten up by beasts!" Thereupon he ascended following the east. The forest trees were deep and lush. He heard the sound of chanting upon the southern ridge. Wangming said, "Is that not the former guest?" [The voice] said, "It is indeed." Pushing through the thickets, [the monk] came forth. Taking hands, they recounted their time apart and led each other toward the monastery. In the blink of an eye, he suddenly saw towering peaks reaching toward the sun and tall bamboos piercing the clouds. Tiered gates stood wide open, and compound halls were arrayed on their foundations. Outside the gate to the east and west, the mangers were adorned with gilded fittings; there seemed to be horse tracks, but none were tethered. Arriving at the gate entrance, [the guest] said, "Wait here for a moment. I will go in to announce you to the abbot (upādhyāya)." In a brief moment he came out, led him in, and arrived at the Buddha hall. After paying homage at the front, they went west to the corridor. The abbot was about ninety years of age, with long eyebrows and a high nose, looking like someone from the Western Regions. Beside him were about thirty officials holding registers and passing judgments. Raising his hand, [the abbot] said, "A mountain monastery in the rustic countryside has nothing at all to behold; how could you travel so far?" Wangming then prostrated himself a dozen times. The abbot said, "You are exhausted from traveling; you may rest. Take him to his room." [The guest] then led him to the western room. Turning northeast, he saw a monk leaning on a desk reading a sūtra. Wangming bowed to him, but the monk gave no greeting at all. [The guest] then led him to the far north and turned east, arriving in the guest monk's own room. They laughed and rejoiced throughout the night, [Wangming] repeatedly saying he would stay forever. The guest said, "This is entirely up to the abbot; I dare not obstruct it. Wait until morning and I will consult him." He reported back, "The abbot does not permit it." When it came to the midday meal, it was no different from [that in] Ye. When they were about to part, the abbot said, "I know you wish to stay forever, and I know your feeling of friendship. However, a renunciant cannot register his name in two places. Could you go against the offerings you receive in your original monastery? If you definitely wish to stay forever, you may remove your name there. Farewell." [Wangming] then took his leave. [The host] saw him out, clasping hands with sorrowful regret. Having parted, he walked sorrowfully for about one li, frequently looking back: the monastery, stūpas, forest, and bamboos still filled his gaze. Walking another two li, he looked back and there was nothing at all, only peak cliffs and mixed trees. Walking on and on, he descended westward, following his original path. He saw no field sprouts, nor was there any old farmer, until he reached Shiku, where he related everything in full to the monks.