鐔津文集 13.12

13.12

Shibi Temple is more than thirty li from Hangzhou. Heading west from Longshan, one enters deep into a secluded ravine with the beauty of flowing streams and rocky cliffs. Although its atmospheric quality was clear and pure, the world at first did not know of it. Only after the Great Worthy [Xing]shao and his elder brother, Dharma Master Xingjing, resided there did its renown spread; this too is a case of a place becoming famous because of the people. The Great Worthy's taboo name was Xingshao, a native of Qiantang in Hangzhou. His original surname was Shen. At first, his mother dreamed of obtaining and swallowing the śarīra of an extraordinary monk, whereupon she became pregnant. When he was born, his nature was pure and good, unlike that of an ordinary child. He took no pleasure in eating meat and loved to hear of Buddhist affairs. Just at the age of twelve, he went to Chan Master Zhijue Yanshou requesting to become his disciple, and his parents permitted it. When he received the precepts, he became thoroughly versed in the Vinaya texts. At that time, State Preceptor Shao resided on Mount Tiantai, and his Way was greatly flourishing. The Great Worthy then tucked up his robes and followed him. When the State Preceptor saw him, he recognized his capacity and at once had him go to study the threefold contemplation method under Dharma Master Xiji of Luoxi. Thereupon, together with his elder brother Xingjing, he served Master Ji, inquiring into the great essentials. Before long, their studies were accomplished, and they returned to Hangzhou, where they at once repaired their old temple. Soon after, he also ceded the temple to Master Jing so that an assembly for lectures could gather. Both Master Jing and the Great Worthy took Zhijue as their teacher when leaving the household; the Great Worthy was the elder brother in the Dharma, while Master Jing was the elder brother in secular life. Master Jing distinguished himself through his native virtue; sixty years before this, even veteran scholars and renowned monks in the Wu region praised him as an eminent man, so at that time students flocked to him. When Master Jing moved to lecture at another temple, the Great Worthy returned to live at Shibi. For fifty years before and after, he maintained his resolve for the mountain forests and never casually wandered into village manors or local communities. He kept his conduct pure and refined, and those who knew him praised his pristine moderation. One day he manifested a slight illness, and by the evening of the third day, he gave final instructions to his disciples. First, the community gathered for tea; once he handed over his utensils, he passed away sitting upright. By this time, his age was eighty, and his monastic seniority was sixty-eight years. Nearly twenty years later, I first came to Shibi and met his disciple Jianchang, from whom I heard of his demeanor. Chang was also unbending and pure, able to uphold the model of his predecessor. Thereupon, together with his fellow student, the junior brother Jianwei, he earnestly entrusted me with the Great Worthy's stupa epitaph. I once said to them: What the teachings call rare encounters in human life are of several kinds, and a good friend is especially difficult. Secular writings say, 'A good man I have not succeeded in seeing; if I could see someone of constant virtue, that would suffice.' Indeed, meeting the worthy and good is difficult. As for this Master, he left the household under Venerable Shou, studied the Dharma under Venerable Ji, and was recognized by State Preceptor Shao. Venerable Shao was an unfathomable person, whose extraordinary integrity, exceptional virtue, and practice of the Way were illustrious; while the two Venerables Shou and Ji were also possessors of the Way among our flock. How could there be many such people in the world? This Master met and was personally influenced by all of them. Even to meet one would already be extremely fortunate; how much more so to obtain the Dharma through them! In this way, the Master's virtues were manifold. Furthermore, he was a brother to Master Jing; together they applied themselves to study, drew near to the Way, and dwelled in the mountain forests; this too is a lifetime of virtue worthy of being recorded. His stupa is in the western orchard of the temple; therefore, I put brush to paper to inscribe it. This was on the eleventh day of the third month in the guisi year of Huangyou [1053 CE].