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Thu Jul 14 11:49:22 MDT 2011
translation of part of Kuiji's report for how Xuanzang acquired Dharmapala's
commentary on the Trimsika:
--
At that time, there was a layperson, Hsüan-chien çé (lit.
âprofound/mysterious mirrorâ!? TaishÅ gives the name as çé) who could
recognize the difference between phoenix and pheasant feathers, and could
easily track the footprints of a unicorn [on land] or a dragon hidden on the
sea bottom (i.e., he could see that DharmapÄla was special, though ordinary
to look at). He put whatever he had of value at [DharmapÄlaâs] disposal.
His sincerity and honesty grew ever deeper through the years. Bodhisattva
[DharmapÄla] guided him through the many doctrines and answered [all his
questions] with this commentary. Then he commanded him, saying:
âAfter I die, from whomever comes to observe [me], take one tael of gold.
Use your ability for discerning spiritual talents to recognize that special
one who will be able to teach and understand [this commentary]â.
The final end of that Profound Guide (i.e., DharmapÄla) gradually drew
near. The Bodhisattvaâs fame rose in India, and one heard about his
treatises and interpretations in other lands as well. Who, with any sort of
spiritual sensitivity, could fail to cherish his magnificence? [Since] if
one hears it in the morning, one can die in the evening [fulfilled], who
would be too stingy [to offer] gold and jewels [to behold him]?
[After he died, the place] was bustling with the thoroughfare of hordes
coming to see the Worthy, and soon valuables were piled as high as the Five
Sacred Mountains. A steady line of spectators streamed in from the five
regions of India [in such mass] as had never before been seen.
The Great Master [Hsüan-tsang] visited all the sacred places, and he had
the natural gift for knowing the genuine from the false. [When he arrived
at DharmapÄlaâs shrine, he said,] âThis lacks even a trace of
spirituality and is utterly sacrilegious. How could you leave [Buddhist]
teachings so open to ridicule?â
Upon hearing such marvelous reasoning [the layman ] humbly approached and
listened further [to Hsüan-tsang]. The layman, recalling the previous sageâs
[i.e., DharmapÄlaâs] last words, [thought] âNow this Worthy must be the
right one!â So he gave [Hsüan-tsang] this âhumbleâ text along with [a
copy of] DharmapÄlaâs Commentary to the Pañcaskandha-prakÄraá¹a.
--
Dan
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