昔先莊簡。法門金湯。博求龍象。為法津梁。既遇吾師。曰真法王。皈依參請。篤老皇皇。忠得夤緣。巾瓶侍旁。昏衢智燈。苦海慈航。世閒父執。出世導師。近之則畏。遠之又思。創見則詫。即之轉慈。揭示道要。能覺我迷。我於彈指。悟昔之非。舍海認漚。乃今始知。因師知佛。因佛知儒。靈明廓徹。乃有階梯。師曰咄咄。階梯非是。脚下承當。舉足便至。每惟深慈。感激涕泗。法乳難酬。有死無貳。豈期緣深。躬承師逝。嗟乎哲人。不可思議。戒慧之光。遇緣益熾。遊於福堂。作大法施。歷諸苦惱。意地寂然。既展王法。曰了夙緣。合掌跏趺。隻履翩翩。六日牢戶。露地風塵。屹峙如山。光溢於顴。西原夏瘞。淫澇成川。傾城漂舍。激蕩靡堅。意此土封。雨齧風穿。南遷啟龕。載覿師顏。相好莊嚴。儼若生前。聞古賢聖。去來如意。定慧力故。結成舍利。入火入水。色身不壞。不圖愚蒙。覩此奇異。允若師言。驗瞑目地。非肉身佛。豈能若是。
Once, in the past, my ancestor Zhuang Jian was a steadfast protector of the Dharma, diligently seeking out great masters to serve as bridges for the teachings. When he met my teacher, he recognized him as a true King of the Dharma, and with sincere devotion, he took refuge, studied, and sought guidance, even in his advanced age. I, Zhong, was fortunate enough to attend upon my teacher, holding his pitcher and towel, standing by his side. He was a lamp of wisdom in the dark world, a ferry of compassion on the sea of suffering.
In the mundane world, he was like a fatherly elder; in the transcendental path, he was a guiding teacher. Approaching him, one felt awe; being apart from him, one longed for him. Meeting him for the first time, one was astonished; but drawing near, he became ever more kind. He revealed the essential Way, awakening me from my confusion. In an instant, I realized the errors of my past—I had mistaken the ocean for a bubble, and only now came to know the truth.
Through my teacher, I came to know the Buddha; through the Buddha, I came to understand the Confucian way. My spiritual clarity gradually opened, and I found a path to walk. Yet my teacher exclaimed, “No, no! The path is not a ladder. It is right beneath your feet. One step, and you are there.” Every time I recall his profound kindness, I am moved to tears of gratitude. This Dharma milk is beyond repayment; I would rather die than betray him.
Who would have thought our connection was so deep that I would personally witness my teacher’s passing? Alas! Such a wise one is truly inconceivable. The light of his precepts and wisdom blazed even brighter when encountering conditions. He wandered through the halls of blessings, performing great Dharma offerings. Enduring various sufferings, his mind remained serene. When he encountered worldly laws, he said, “This fulfills my past karma.” With palms together, he sat in lotus posture, and then left the world like a single sandal flying away.
For six days he remained in the prison cell, enduring the wind and rain of the open ground. He stood firm as a mountain, with radiance shining from his cheekbones. In summer, he was buried in the western plains. The torrential rains caused floods, sweeping through the city and washing away houses, shaking even the strongest things. I thought his earthen tomb would be eroded by rain and wind. But when his remains were moved south and the casket was opened, I saw my teacher’s face again. His features were majestic and peaceful, just as they were in life.
I have heard that ancient sages and saints come and go freely. Through the power of meditative concentration and wisdom, they form relics. They can enter fire or water without their physical bodies decaying. I, a foolish person, never expected to witness such a wonder. Truly, as my teacher said, “The proof lies in the ground where you close your eyes.” If he were not a living Buddha in the flesh, how could he have achieved this?
陸基忠敬贊
Lu Jizhong respectfully praises.