法苑珠林 83.39

83.39

Under the Jin, at Mount Chicheng in Shifeng, there was Tanyou, also called Fayou, a native of Dunhuang. From youth he lived in ascetic practices and cultivated dhyāna concentration. Later he traveled to the region east of the Yangtze and stayed at Mount Shicheng in Shan, begging for food and sitting in dhyāna. Once, he went to beg for food at the home of someone who practiced witchcraft (gu); after Tanyou finished his dedication of merit, he suddenly saw a centipede leap out of the food. Tanyou ate heartily with no ill effect. Later he moved to a stone chamber on Mount Chicheng in Shifeng to sit in dhyāna. Several tens of ferocious tigers crouched before Tanyou; Tanyou recited the scriptures as before. One tiger alone fell asleep, so Tanyou tapped the tiger's head with his ruyi sceptre and scolded it: “Why do you not listen to the scripture?” Soon all the tigers left. Moments later, pythons and serpents vied to come forth, the largest being more than ten spans around; coiling around and circling back, they raised their heads toward Tanyou. After half a day, they also departed. The next day, a spirit appeared in form, came to Tanyou, and said: “Since the Dharma Master's majesty and virtue are weighty, and you have come to stay on this mountain, this disciple promptly yields his chamber to offer it to you.” Tanyou said: “This poor monk searched the mountains hoping to meet with you; why not dwell together?” The spirit said: “It is not that this disciple is unwilling, but my subordinates are not yet accustomed to the transformation of the Dharma, and it is difficult to restrain them at once. When people come and go from afar, they might infringe upon or offend each other; the paths of humans and spirits are different, which is why I am leaving.” Tanyou said: “What spirit were you originally? How long have you lived here, and where do you wish to move?” The spirit said: “This disciple is a son of the Xia Emperor. I have lived on this mountain for more than two thousand years. Mount Hanshi is ruled by my maternal uncle; I shall go there to dwell, and soon return to the Shanyin Shrine.” When parting, he took Tanyou's hand and presented him with three caskets of incense. Thereupon, beating drums and blowing horns, he soared through the clouds and departed. On Mount Chicheng there was an isolated crag, standing alone and exceptionally steep, brushing the clouds. Tanyou chipped the rocks to make a ladder, ascended the crag to sit in ease, and connected bamboos to convey water for his daily use. More than ten practitioners of dhyāna came to study under him. Wang Xizhi heard of this and purposely went to look up to him; gazing from afar at the height of the peak, he paid his respects and returned. The crags of Chicheng are connected to the Tiantai Waterfall, Lingxi, and Siming; and the hanging cliffs of Tiantai are steep and towering, its peaks cutting into the sky. The elders handed down the tradition that above there was an ancient monastery where those who had attained the Way resided. Although there was a stone bridge spanning the ravine, a horizontal stone blocked people, and the moss was green and slippery, so from antiquity onwards no one had been able to reach it. When Tanyou reached the bridge, he heard a voice from within a chamber say: “We know your sincerity, but now you cannot cross; ten years hence you shall naturally come.” Tanyou felt disappointed at heart and stayed overnight. He heard the sound of circumambulation and chanting of sādhu. At dawn, wanting to proceed again, he saw a man with snow-white beard and eyebrows, who asked Tanyou where he was going. Tanyou answered with his intentions in detail. The elder said: “You possess a body of birth and death; how could you go there? I am the mountain spirit, which is why I inform you.” Tanyou then withdrew and returned. On the road, passing a stone chamber, he stopped inside to rest. Soon, clouds and mist merged in darkness, yet inside the chamber it was completely bright. Tanyou's expression remained undisturbed. The next morning, he saw a person wearing an unlined robe and a qia cap arrive, saying: “This is my dwelling. Yesterday I went out and was not present, which caused a disturbance in my household, for which I feel deeply ashamed.” Tanyou said: “If this is your chamber, please let me return it to you.” The spirit said: “My family has already moved; please remain and dwell here now.” Tanyou stayed for a short while. Tanyou regretted not being able to cross the stone bridge. Later, having purified himself and fasted for many days, he wished to go once more. He saw the horizontal stone opened wide; crossing a little beyond the bridge, he beheld the monastery and divine monks, just as had been said. Thereupon he burned incense and took his midday meal. When the meal was finished, a divine monk said to Tanyou: “Ten years hence you shall naturally come here; now you cannot yet dwell.” Thereupon he returned; looking back, the horizontal stone had closed again as before. During the Taiyuan era of the Jin, an ominous star appeared. The Emperor issued an imperial edict to virtuous śramaṇas in all states, ordering them to fast, perform deśanā, and avert the calamity. Tanyou prayed with sincerity and had a hidden resonance: on the morning of the sixth day, he saw a boy in blue clothes come and repent his fault, saying: “I have troubled the Dharma Master in vain.” That evening, the star retreated. Another account says that the one who averted the star was Bai Sengguang; it is not clear which is correct. At the end of the Taiyuan era, Tanyou passed away in his mountain chamber; his corpse remained sitting upright, and his whole body turned green. At the end of the Yixi era of the Jin, the hermit Shen Shibiao entered the mountain and climbed the crag, still seeing Tanyou's corpse undecayed. Thereafter, whenever people wished to go and view it, they were bewildered by clouds and mist, and none could catch a glimpse. (The above two proofs are from the Liang Gaoseng zhuan.)