No More Learning

Giác Hai became famous throughout the land because of this and attracted disciples from all over the country. The emperor himself treated
Page 237
him with the deference accorded a teacher. Whenever he took up residence in the Hai * Thanh provincial palace, he would visit Giác Hai's* temple first. One day the emperor asked Giác Hai: "May I be instructed on the mind's concentration power in accordance with reality? " Giác Hai then composed the "Eight Change Mantra" and rose into the air some yards above the ground for a while and then descended. The emperor and his officials applauded in admiration. He then offered Giác Hai a Kiên Du' chariot and the liberty of the palaces.
Under his reign, Lý Than* Tông repeatedly sent emissaries to summon Giác Hai to the capital, but he often declined to come on the grounds of old age and illness. <><><><><><><><><><><><>
Someone asked him: "Between Buddha and sentient beings, who is the guest and who is the host? " Giác Hai answered with a verse:
I notice your hair is white,
So I tell you to be the old guest.
If you enquire about the Buddha's realm,
You [failed and] were marked on your forehead
at the dragon gate.
When he was about to pass away, Giác Hai spoke a verse:
Spring comes, flowers and butterflies know the season well,
Flowers and butterflies must respond to the season. But flowers and butterflies are originally illusions, Do not occupy your mind with flowers
and butterflies.
That night a meteor fell into the southeast corner of the Thái Không lodge. At dawn, Giác Hai sat in an upright position and passed away. The emperor issued a royal decree to collect duties from three thousand households for candles and incense to commemorate Giác Hai and, as a reward, appointed his two sons to positions at court.
[From the Linh* Nam Chích Quái Ngoai* Truyen*]:
Biography of Zen Master Du'o'ng Không Lo*: Zen Master Không Lô of Nghiêm Quang Temple, Hai Thanh. Village, whose family name was Du'o'ng, was a native of Hai Thanh. For generations his family lived as fishermen. Subsequently, he abandoned the family occupation to become a monk. At the temple he often chanted the Dharani­Sutra*. During the Chu'o'ng Thánh Gia Khánh era under the reign of Lý Thánh Tông (1059–
Page 238
Page 239
1065), he befriended Giác Hai * and they came to dwell at Hà Trach* Temple. 10 He ate herbs and wore tree bark, totally oblivious of his body, outwardly cutting off agitation and fear, inwardly practicing meditation and concentration. His mind, ears, and eyes grew penetrating. He could fly in the air, float on earth, tame tigers, and subdue dragons. His supernatural powers were multifarious and unfathomable. Eventually, he attained the [samadhi*] of the True Seal of Great Mirror. Sometimes he was called an immortal; at other times he was named a fairy. Realizing that he still had to pay karmic debts from previous lifetimes, he eventually built a temple in his native district, settled down there, and took on the sobriquet Không Lo*.
One day his attendant asked him: "Since my coming here, I haven't received your instruction about the essence of the mind. May I present you with this verse:
Only by cultivating are body and mind purified, Growing luxuriantly the straight branch faces the
empty yard.
Someone comes enquiring about the King of Emptiness, The body sits next to the screen: its shadow forms
an image.
Không Lô said understandingly: "You bring the mountain, I accept it for you. You bring the water, I take it for you. Where have I failed to give you the essence of mind? " And he burst into laughter.
He spoke this verse:
I have found a site with dragons and snakes to settle down in,
The rustic feeling leaves me exceedingly happy all day long.
At times I go up to the solitary mountaintop, And utter a long whistle with the universe.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
He passed away on the third day, the sixth month in the tenth year, ky* hoi*, of the Hoi* Tu'ò'ng Dai* Khánh era (1119). His disciples gathered his relics and buried them in front of the temple. By royal edict, the temple was refurbished and duties were levied on two thousand households for the expenses of its upkeep. Legends have it that beyond the ocean at Hoành Giang there is a mountain wall that has the shape of a pillar; they are all old traces of the Zen Master.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Biography of Zen Master Nguyen * Giác Hai*: Zen Master Giác Hai hailed from Hai Thanh Village. His family name was Nguyên. He dwelt at Diên Phúc Temple. When young he took up fishing and made his boat his home, sailing in rivers and oceans. At twenty­five, he gave up his trade and shaved his head to become a monk. In the Chu'o'ng Ðú'c Gia Khánh era under the reign of Lý Thánh Tông, he befriended Zen Master Không Lo*, and together they came to dwell at Hà Trach* Temple. Subsequently he became Không Lo's* Dharma heir. Later he returned to Diên Phúc Temple at his native village. He wandered about enjoying himself and did not trouble anybody. People could help themselves to whatever there was in the temple, since they were donations.
Once the emperor [Lý Nhân Tông] summoned him and the Daoist adept Thông Huyen* to the Liên Ngõa Palace for an audience. Suddenly there were two lizards calling one another whose cries grated on everyone's ears. The emperor told Thông Huyên to chant an incantation and one of them fell to the ground. The emperor smiled and told Giác Hai, "Venerable One, the other is left for your incantation. " Before long, the other lizard also fell to the ground. The emperor was pleased and composed a eulogy:
Giác Hai's* mind is as vast as the ocean,
Thông Huyen's* way is profound too.
One has magic talent, the other the power of transformation, One is a Buddha and the other an immortal.
Since then Giác Hai became famous throughout the land. Disciples came to him in droves. The emperor himself treated him with the deference accorded a teacher. Whenever he took up residence in the Hai Thanh provincial palace, he would visit Giác Hai's temple first.
One day the emperor asked Giác Hai: "May I be instructed in the mind's concentration power in accordance with reality? " Giác Hai then composed a verse called "Eight Change Mantra" and rose into the air some five yards above the ground for a while and then descended. The emperor and his officials applauded in admiration. He then offered Giác Hai a Kiên Du' chariot and the liberty of the palaces.
Under his reign, Lý Than* Tông repeatedly invited Giác Hai to the capital, but he often declined to come on the grounds of old age and illness. <><><><><><><><><><><><>
A monk asked him: "Between Buddha and sentient beings, who is the guest and who is the host? " Giác Hai answered with a verse:
Page 240
I notice your hair is white,
So I tell you for your information.
If you enquire about the monk's realm,
You [failed and] were marked on your forehead [at the dragon gate].
When he was about to pass away, Giác Hai * spoke a verse to his assembly:
Spring comes, flowers and butterflies know the season well,
Flowers and butterflies must respond to the season. But flowers and butterflies are originally illusions,
Do not occupy your mind with flowers and butterflies.
That night a meteor fell into the southeast corner of the Thái That* lodge. At dawn, Giác Hai sat in an upright position and passed away. The emperor issued a royal decree to collect duties from three thousand households for candles and incense as a reward.
Biographies of Khong* Lo* and Giác Hai in the Thiên Nam Vân Luc*
[Không Lo's* Biography]: In the Gia Khánh era of the Lý dynasty, there was a monk whose family name was Du'o'ng, sobriquet Không Lô, who was a native of Thanh Hai. For generations his family lived as fishermen. Không Lô abandoned his family profession and left home to become a monk. A man from his native village named Giác Hai became his good companion. They visited Hà Trach* Temple and dwelt there. He wore grass clothes and tree­bark shoes, devoting himself to chanting the sutras*, and mastered the meditation techniques of a bhiksu*. His mind became clear and he roughly attained the True Seal of Great Mirror. Sometimes he was an immortal, other times he was a fairy. Realizing that he had the retribution of previous karma, he erected a temple in his native district and lived there. A Champa monk named Bach* Vân (White Cloud) came to dwell there [and became his attendant]. Once Bach Vân asked him, "Since I came here, I haven't received your instruction on the essence of mind. " Then he respectfully presented a verse:
Only by cultivating are body and mind purified, Growing luxuriantly the straight branch faces
the empty yard.
Someone comes enquiring about the Emptiness
of Emptiness,
The body sits next to the screen: its shadow forms an image.
"What does that mean? " Không Lô reminded him, "You come from the mountain, I accept you; you come from the river, I take you in.
Page 241
Where did I fail to give you the essence of the mind? " Then he burst out laughing. He passed away on the fifth day of the third month of the tenth year, ky * hoi*, of the Hoi* Tu'ò'ng Dai* Khánh era. His disciples collected the relics and buried them in front of the temple.
[Biography of Giác Hai*]: Formerly Giác Hai loved fishing; he used to sail here and there. Not until he was twenty­five did he give up the [fishing] rod and enter the monastery. He came to dwell at Hà Trach* Temple and became a companion of Khong* Lo*. Subsequently, he became Không Lo's* Dharma heir. Later Giác Hai returned to Diên Phúc Temple, he wandered about enjoying himself, not relying on others. People were welcome to take whatever there was in the temple, since they were donations. Lý Nhân Tông, together with Thông Huyen* and Giác Hai, once went to Mount Liên Cot*, sitting in meditation on a cool boulder, when suddenly there were two lizards calling to one another with horrific cries. The emperor ordered Thông Huyên to stop them. Thông Huyên quietly recited an incantation and one of them fell down. The emperor laughingly told Giác Hai, "He left one for you. " Giác Hai stared at the lizard. In a little while, it also fell to the ground. The emperor was amazed and composed a poem praising them:
Giác Hai's* mind is as vast as the ocean, Thông Huyen's* way is profound too, Magic talent and power of transformation, One is a Buddha the other is an immortal.
Since then Giác Hai became famous throughout the land. Both monks and lay people respected him. The emperor himself treated him with the deference accorded a teacher. Under his reign, Lý Than* Tông repeatedly invited Giác Hai to the capital, but he often declined to come.
<><><><><><><><><><><><>
Someone asked him: "Between Buddha and sentient beings, who is the guest and who is the host? " Giác Hai answered with a verse:
I notice your hair is white,
Those who inform you will do you harm,
If you enquire about the monk's realm,
You [failed and] were marked on your forehead at the dragon gate.
When he was about to pass away, Giác Hai spoke a verse to his assembly:
Spring comes, flowers and butterflies know the season well,
Flowers and butterflies must respond to the season.
Page 242
When flowers and butterflies come one knows there'll be an end,
Do not occupy your mind with flowers and butterflies.
That night a meteor fell into the east corner of the Dai * Bao* lodge. At dawn, Giác Hai* sat in an upright position and passed away. Up to the present time people still hear about him.
Biography of Tù' Dao* Hanh* in the Viet* Dien* U Linh Tap* [From the Viêt Diên U Linh Tâp Luc* Toàn Biên]:
True Record of the Story of the Great Sage Tù' Ðao Hanh: Formerly, Ðao Hanh's* family name was Tù', his personal name Lo*. His father Vinh embraced Buddhism. He held the office of General Supervisor of Monk Officers under the Lý dynasty. He used to travel to An Lãng Village, so he married Loan, a daughter of the Tang* family, and made his home there at Lang Nam Hamlet, An Lãng Village. The site happened to be propitious. Ðao Hanh was born there later. He had the air of an immortal.
When a youngster, Ðao Hanh was a virtual delinquent, yet he harbored great aspirations. No one could fathom his behavior and countenance. He befriended a Confucian scholar named Phí Sinh, a Daoist Master named Lê Toàn Nghia* and an actor named Phan At*. 1 1 At night, Ðao Hanh would study hard while during
daytime enjoy himself playing ball, playing the flute, and gambling. His father would always rebuke him for his dissipation, till one night he sneaked a look into Ðao Hanh's room and found the lamp almost out, the books scattered about, and Ðao Hanh himself leaning on a desk sleeping, with a book still in his hand. After this his father no longer worried about him.
Later on Ðao Hanh passed the White Lotus examination as a laureate but refused to serve at the court. He was occupied day and night with thoughts of avenging his father's death. Previously, it had happened that his father Tù' Vinh through wizardry offended the Marquis of Diên Thành. The marquis asked a henchman of his, the sorcerer Ðai Ðiên, to cast a demonic spell on Tù' Vinh and kill him. Then they hurled Tù' Vinh's corpse into the Tô Lich* River. The corpse drifted downstream to the Tây Du'o'ng Bridge where Diên Thành's mansion was located and remained there the whole day. Scared out of his wits, the Marquis of Diên Thành hurriedly sent for Ðai Ðiên, who came and uttered the following incantation: "A monk wouldn't stay angry overnight. Life is but a comedy. With death you achieve enlightenment. " At that the corpse drifted away to the old village of Nhân Muc* on the Hàm Rong* River
Page 243
where it stopped. Finding this miraculous, the villagers buried the corpse, erected a shrine, and carved a statue of Tù' Vinh.
They worshipped it every year on the tenth day of the first month as the anniversary day. Dao * Hanh's* mother was buried at Ba Lang* Temple, Thu'o'ng* An Village, now Hoa Lang Temple, where both his parents were worshipped as the Holy Father and Holy Mother. Though intent on revenge, Ðao Hanh* still had no plan. One day, he chanced to see Dai* Ðiên who had been called out for some magic performance. Ðao Hanh was about to strike him with his stick when he heard a voice in the air shouting at him not to. Ðao Hanh threw his stick away and went home, sad at heart and resentful. He wanted to go to India to improve his magic arts in order to subdue Ðai Ðiên. So he set out together with his two friends Minh Không and Giác Hai*.
When they reached the country of the Gold Teeth Barbarians, they found the road full of dangers and had a mind to turn back. They saw an old man rowing a little boat in a leisurely fashion in the river. They went to him and asked: "Sir, how long is the road from here to India? " The old man said: "The mountainous tracks are quite dangerous. You can't do it on foot. Here is my little boat. I can help you cross over. Here is a little stick. It will guide you straight to India. It won't be a long way. Let me help you. " The old man then spoke a verse:
I certainly will accompany you on the path of truth, Praise be to him who goes afar for wisdom.
The rivers are so many—why bother crossing them? Just cross the Yellow River and you see the Holy One.
As the verse finished, they looked up and found themselves at the Indian shore, where the miracles are countless. Ðao Hanh remained behind to watch the boat. Giác Hai and Minh Không went ashore, learned magic arts and returned home instantly. Ðao Hanh had been watching the boat for three days without seeing his friends back. He chanced to see an old woman by the river. He bowed to her and asked: "Old lady, did you see two seekers come? " The old woman said: "They have already received the magic arts I taught them and have gone back home. " While bowing Ðao Hanh told her the circumstances of their traveling together and expressed his indignation against their abandoning him. The old woman then told him: "Carry these two buckets of water to my home. I will teach you magic arts and also impart to you the power of shortening distances and the Dharani* Mantra. ''
Ðao Hanh still resented his friends' disloyalty. He recited the mantra. Minh Không and Giác Hai who were on their way home were caught spellbound and felt a throbbing pain in their abdomens. Using his power
Page 244
Page 245
of reducing distances, Dao * Hanh* came back home before them. He changed himself into a tiger, hid himself in a thicket at Ngai* Cau* Village, Tù' Liêm District, and roared, frightening everyone on the shore.
Minh Không and Giác Hai* looked at each other in astonishment. Though outwardly afraid, braced up by their knowledge of magic arts, and clever enough to discriminate between the true and the false, they knew for sure that it was Tù' Ðao Hanh in disguise. They then looked back, saying: "If you want to know your next reincarnation, well, come on, we'll let you know. " Ðao Hanh said: "We were all taught by Lord Buddha. We have achieved our objective. I still have to be reborn in this world as King, but won't escape sickness. There is karmic affinity between us. We should help one another. " Ðao Hanh then dropped his old grudges. The three of them taught each other their magic powers. Among them were walking on water, flying in the air, summoning dragons, subduing tigers, soaring up, and reducing distances. They could work all kinds of miracles, appearing in any guise, performing incalculable wonders. After this, Ðao Hanh ranked first, Minh Không was next, and Giác Hai was last. The site was now called Báo Kieu*.
Minh Không and Giác Hai took leave of Ðao Hanh and returned to Giao Thuy* Temple. Ðao Hanh went on practicing at the Thiên Phúc Temple on Mount Thach* That*. In front of the temple, there were two old pine trees popularly called the dragon trees. Ðao Hanh devoted himself to chanting the Mind of Great Compassion Dharani* and after every hundred thousand repetitions a branch would fall from the trees. The day came when both trees were bare. Ðao Hanh thought the strength of his incantation had reached the Celestial Court and now enjoyed Avalokitesvaras* support.
One day an immortal appeared before him. He came toward him with his feet not touching the ground. Ðao Hanh asked, "What immortal are you? " The immortal said: "I am the Celestial King who is Guardian of the Four Directions. Moved by your sutra* chanting achievement, I come and place myself at your disposal. " Ðao Hanh knew that his six magical powers were now sufficient for him to avenge his father's death. He then returned to his old village of An Lãng, went to the An Quyet* Bridge over the Tô Lich* River and threw his stick into the stream. The stick instantly stood up straight perpendicular to the water, flew swiftly upstream and did not stop until it reached the Tây Du'o'ng Bridge. Beaming with satisfaction, Ðao Hanh said: "My powers now do excel Dai* Ðiên's. "
Off he went to Ðai Ðiên's house. On seeing him, Ðai Ðiên said: "Don't you remember what happened before? " Ðao Hanh looked up but there was nothing stirring. He then beat Ðai Ðiên to death with his stick and hurled the corpse into the Tô Lich River in revenge.
His vengeance now accomplished, Dao * Hanh* felt himself relieved of all worldly bonds and started visiting temples in search of enlightened monks for further initiations. Hearing that Cao Trí Huyen* was spreading the Dharma at Thái Bình, Ðao Hanh came to him and expressed his true mind in a verse:
Long mixed with the dusts of the ordinary world, still unable to recognize pure gold,
I do not know where the true mind is. Please point it out truly for me—
extend your skillful means,
So that I can realize enlightenment and cease
my painful search.
Trí Huyên replied with a verse:
The secret, the true transmission [of the path] is exceedingly precious,
In it the mind of Zen appears filling your eyes. Stop discussing the objects as numerous
as the grains of sand on the banks of the Ganges, Or enlightenment will be far, far away.
Ðao Hanh was confused and could not understand. He then went to the assembly of Sùng Pham* of Pháp Vân Temple and calmly asked: "What is true mind? " Ðao Hanh was abruptly awakened. He then returned to Thiên Phúc Temple on Mount Thach* That* and went on practicing as before. From then on his Dharma power increased and his karmic affinity for Zen matured, so that hosts of wild birds and beasts gathered peacefully around the temple. With mantras he cured the sick who came to him, and used his power for the benefit of all.
At that time, Emperor Lý Nhân Tông had no heir and all prayers were to no avail. His younger brother, the marquis of Sùng Hien*, sent for Ðao Hanh to discuss the matter. Ðao Hanh took a vow to reincarnate [in the royal family] in return for a favor the marquis had granted him before. The marchioness who was at that moment taking a bath in the inner building suddenly saw Ðao Hanh's* image appear in the water bucket. Afraid, she reported it to the marquis. Knowing Ðao Hanh's intention, the marquis confided to his wife: "If the image of Ðao Hanh did appear to you in your bath, he has already entered your womb. Don't be alarmed. " The lady had the sensation of pregnancy. Ðao Hanh took his leave saying: "Let me know when you are about to give birth. " The day the baby was due, she felt unusually indisposed, wanting to give birth but unable to do so. The marquis said: "Ðao Hanh must be sent for immediately. " At the news, Tù' Ðao Hanh told his disciples: "My previous nexus of karmic
Page 246
Page 247
cause has not terminated. I have to be reborn in this world as an emperor. When that life span is over, I shall preside over the Trayatrimsa * Heaven. When you see my body decay, it means I have entered nirvana where birth and death no longer matter. " His words moved them to tears. Dao* Hanh* then spoke a verse:
Autumn ends without informing of the wild geese returning,
And easily causes people to become sad. Leaving tracks among the people of the time
without any fond longing,
How many teachers of old are reincarnated
as teachers of today!
Having finished speaking, he went up to his cave, knocked his head against the stone wall and stamped his feet on the stone floor. As he sat there in calm dignity, he cast off his body and passed away. Vestiges of this event still remain.
It was on the seventh day of the third month, spring, in the third year, bính thân, of the Hoi* Tu'ò'ng Dai* Khánh era. Emerging again from nirvana into the world, Ðao Hanh was born as son of the Marquis of Sùng Hien*. He grew up without needing to be cared for and grew intelligent without needing education. He was handsome and excelled everyone in argument and eloquence. Emperor Lý Nhân Tông by edict summoned him into the palace to be brought up, and made him a crown prince.
When Nhân Tông died, he ascended the throne as Emperor Than* Tông. In the year of bính thìn, at the age of twenty­one, he one day found his body growing hair and his nails becoming claws. He changed into a tiger. Renowned physicians from all around failed to cure him. At the news of the emperor's condition, Minh Không and Giác Hai* recognized that a former curse was taking effect. They then composed a folk song and taught it to the children to sing:
To cure the Son of Heaven's malady, Send for Nguyen* Minh Không.
Hearing children singing this, the court sent an envoy to Giao Thuy* Temple to tell Master Minh Không, "The emperor has caught a queer disease. The court sent me here to bring you in to cure him. " Minh Không and Giác Hai cooked rice in a little pot and told the envoy and his men, "We have cooked some rice for your meal. Please serve yourselves. " They all ate their fill, yet the pot was not emptied.
Then the two masters and the envoy embarked for the capital. Minh Không told the soldiers, "Have a good rest. Let the flood tide come and we'll make for the capital. " While they were sleeping soundly in the
Page 248
boat, the two masters by sheer magic had it fly like an arrow without being rowed, and in no time they reached the Ðông Tân dock. They woke the soldiers up and when they saw the Báo Thiên Stupa, everyone was struck with amazement. The two masters were escorted directly into the emperor's chamber.
At the sight of them, of their weird looks and rustic clothing, the other physicians in contempt did not bother to rise from their seats or to offer them a single word of greeting. The two masters reached in their pockets, drew out a nail of about five inches long, pointed at a column and with a slight push of the hand made it penetrate all the way into it. They then said: "He who can pull out the nail will be able to cure the emperor. " They repeated this again and again but no one replied. With two fingers of his left hand, Minh Không pulled it so easily that it seemed to slip out effortlessly. All who were present were won over by his magic feat.
Minh Không had a big caldron brought in, together with twelve buckets of oil, one hundred iron nails, and a senna twig. He had the Emperor carried onto the hearth. He let Giác Hai * ignite the fire and boil the oil. When the fire was blazing and the oil was boiling hard, Giác Hai put his hand into the caldron and fished out the one hundred nails. Then Giác Hai let Minh Không perform the magic touch. Minh Không soaked the senna twig in the oil and sprinkled it all over the emperor's body, while reciting a spell saying, "How noble to be the Son of Heaven. Why are you sick? " At these words, the hair, fangs, and claws fell from the Emperor's body and he recovered his old self.
After the emperor's death, the Thiên Phúc Temple was clothed in a peculiar supernatural atmosphere which struck people with awe. This fact was reported to the infant emperor, who commissioned an official to come there and perform rites, and bestowed on the temple the title of Most Sacred Temple. As for Dao* Hanh's* cast­off corpse left in the cave, the villagers assuming it must be miraculous, lodged it in a niche for worship. During the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty (1403–1424), an envoy from China came on a mission to our country. As he was passing by he caught a whiff of a rich fragrance. When he went looking [for where it was coming from], he found Ðao Hanh's body intact in the niche, with his jewel­like countenance still lifelike. Assuming it might be an immortal's cast­off body, the envoy had it carried to Hu'o'ng So'n Temple for cremation, but after seven days and nights on the fire, it remained unburned.
He didn't know what more to do and was about to give up. That very night he saw a man in his dream who told him, "I have survived through two dynasties, the Lý and Tran*, and my true body has never decayed.
Page 249
Supernatural powers are not matters of mere chance. For your vow to be granted, use wood from the trees around my grave to burn my corpse. " The Ming envoy did as he was told in his dream and sure enough, it worked. He had the remaining wood carved into a statue [of Dao * Hanh*] and placed it in a niche for worship in a shrine erected to the left of the Thiên Phúc Temple.
Under Emperor Lê Thánh Tông, Empress Dowager Quang Thuc* sent Grand Commandant Trinh Quoc* to offer sacrifices and pray for divine favors in a petition which read:
"We learn that the Buddha is essentially compassionate and also abides in the consummate goodness. Thus he spread his teaching in India and saved people in China. He amply supports the Kingly Path, generously bestows the Sagely Teaching. His merits cover all sentient beings and his grace pervades all lands.
"By divine grace, we are in charge of a great patrimony, and we are fearful of being unable to bear the burden in the face of calamities should they come. We therefore tremble with fear for the security of the country and the welfare of the people. Deep in our heart we sincerely pray to Heaven to bless us with longevity. Hearing that the oracle at the Phat* Tích Temple is divinely effective, we are sending the Palace Guard Commander together with his men to bow before the altar and pray for our longevity. If it is not given to us to live over one hundred years as did Tai Wu of Shang, may we at least live up as did Emperor Gaozong of Tang up to eighty­nine. We also pray that our Infant Emperor Tù' Vy have a long life, that the people work in peace, that they have wise and filial offsprings, that the subjects be loyal, that outside there be no war, and that inside there be peace. In this, we depend on the infinite benediction of the Buddha. "
Biography of Nguyen* Minh Không in the Linh* Nam Chích Quái
[From the Linh Nam Chích Quái Ngoai* Truyen*]
Minh Không was a native of Dai* Hoàng Ðàm Xá Village, Tru'ò'ng An. His family name was Nguyên, his personal name Chí Thanh*. When he was a young man he traveled around to study the [Buddhist] Path. He happened to meet Ðao Hanh, under whom he studied for over forty years. Ðao Hanh admired his aspirations, so he transmitted the mind­seal to him and gave him the sobriquet Zen Master Minh Không.
In the Hoi* Tu'ò'ng Ðai Khánh era under [Lý] Nhân Tông's reign, as he was passing away, Ðao Hanh told Minh Không: "Formerly, our Lord Buddha on achieving perfect enlightenment still thought of paying tribute to the golden lion. As for me, my knowledge of the Dharma is
Page 250
still wanting, how can I protect myself? I will be reborn again in this world as a king. In the future life I will become sick: it can't be avoided, being predestined. I have a karmic affinity with you, you should save me. " After Dao * Hanh's* death, Minh Không returned to his native village, devoting himself to studying and practicing [Buddhism] for twenty years without looking for fame and fortune.
In the fourth year of the Dai* Thuan* era, the emperor was about to build a palace. In the fourth year of the Thiên Chu'o'ng Bao* Tu'*, Lý Than* Tông suddenly contracted a strange disease and was seriously ill. His mind was disturbed, and all medicines were to no avail. He was growling and moaning fiercely like a tiger. Renowned physicians from all over the country, responded to the royal edict, offering thousands of prescriptions, but to no avail. Meanwhile, there was a group of children who sang:
To cure the Son of Heaven,
Send for Nguyen* Minh Không.
The court sent emissaries to look for Minh Không. When he saw the emissary coming, Minh Không took a little pot of rice to feed the entire crew. The emissary was worried that it would not be enough for such a large crew. Minh Không said, "Just go ahead and eat. " So the crew, hundreds of men in all, ate their fill, yet could not empty the pot. After the meal, Minh Không told the crew, "You men just have a good sleep. Wait till the tide grows and we'll set sail. " They did as they were told and before long were sound asleep in the galley. In a little while, they already arrived at the capital. The crew was amazed.
When Minh Không arrived [at court], there was a huge number of renowned physicians all gathering in the palace, each performing his art. When they saw how crude and rustic he looked, they all had great contempt for him. Minh Không took a nail five or six inches long and planted it into a column of the royal chamber, shouting: "He who can pull the nail out will cure the disease, I will step aside for him. " He repeated it again and again, but no one budged. He then used two of his left fingers and pulled on the nail and it came out easily. Everybody present was struck with admiration.
When he entered the royal chamber to examine the emperor, Minh Không cried out in a stern voice: "Worthy man, you are exalted as the Son of Heaven and the richest man of the country, why then do you act crazy and cause disaster? " The emperor trembled with fear. Minh Không had a big cauldron brought in, filled it with water and medicine, and boiled it again and again. Then he stirred the boiling liquid with his hand a few times, and washed the emperor's body with it. The emperor
Page 251
recovered instantly. (Recorded History: When Dao * Hanh* was about to leave his body, he gave Minh Không his medicine and incantation, saying, "Twenty years from now, the emperor will contract a strange malady. Use this to cure him. ") He then made Minh Không National Preceptor and the recipient of duties from some hundreds of households as reward.
In the second year of the Dai* Dinh* era under the reign of Anh Tông (1141), Minh Không passed away, at the age of seventy­six. He was miraculous and responsive [to prayers]. People would pray to him whenever there were floods, droughts, calamities or conflicts. Nowadays his statue has been cast and worshipped at the temples of Giao Thuy*, Pho* Lai*, and so forth. Court official Dang* Thoát Hiên wrote a poem commemorating him, "Hieu* Hoàng was brought up in the palace of Trieu* and Tong*. In time of peace the Son of Heaven's destiny grew; in his midlife he unfortunately suffered a strange disease. Thanks to the good taste of Minh Không's medicine [he was cured]. " This is to praise the miraculous power of Minh Không.
Note: The stories of the two Zen Masters Ðao Hanh and Minh Không are briefly recorded in the History. According to history Than* Tông was born as a result of a prayer to the mountain god, here it was said that he was Ðao Hanh reincarnated. History also records that soon after Ðao Hanh left his body, the lady gave birth; so it might not have been due to a prayer to the mountain god. As for Minh Không's cure [of Thân Tông], History says that Ðao Hanh gave [Minh Không] medicine when he was ill [instructed him to cure Thân Tông in the future]. This means that Ðao Hanh knew he could not escape his karma of contracting a disease, so he instructed [Minh Không] to save him. Things were recorded differently. I just record what I heard in order to investigate it. Also studying these two stories and the following two stories, each becomes a separate biography. Now I am relying on the Thien* Su' Tú' Công Truyen* together with the Tú' Công Truyên Luc* to clarify the biography.
The Section on "Immortals and Buddhist Monks" in the An Nam Chí Nguyên
It is not possible to investigate Buddhism in Giao Chi* [Jiaozhi] from the Han to the Tang dynasties. Since the times of the Lý and Tran* dynasties, there have been many eminent monks. They were famous for their miraculous powers. Kings extended homage to them and enquired about the mystic teachings. Some of the kings even left home to become monks. The court officials and the ordinary people were frequently converted to Buddhism. As for the saintly immortals of Taoism, they were few and far between. Once in a while, one or two appeared. Now I have found old records together with official reports from various localities and oral
transmissions among the elders. I have gathered all of them together and selected the traces that can be verified. I record them here.
An Ky * Sinh [An Qi Sheng], of Chinese provenance, realized the path of Taoism on Mount Yên Tu'* [Anzi], east of Trieu* Châu [Chaozhou]. Subsequently, he ascended to Heaven from there.
Thôi Vi* [Cui Wei], of Chinese provenance, once traveled in his native province and accidentally fell into an old well. He saw a big snake eating stalagmite. As Vi was extremely hungry, he ate it too. Subsequently, he became an immortal.
Dong* Phung* [Dong Feng], literary name Quân Di* [Junyi], attended the Governor Si* Nhiep* [Shi Xie] of Giao Châu [Jiaozhou]. Once Si Nhiêp became sick and was dead for three days. Phung put a medicine tablet in his mouth, and after awhile Nhiêp came to. Within half a day he could move again.
Cát Hong* [Ge Hong], nicknamed Tri* Xuyên [Chichuan], was a native of Tan* [Jin]. He embraced emptiness and respected Taoism, wishing to make the elixir and attain the art of longevity. He wished to become the Magistrate of Gou Lou. Subsequently, he really became an immortal.
Tran* Dao* Can* [Chen Daogen] hailed from Tân An [Xin'an] District, Chí Linh [Zhiling] Prefecture. He abstained from eating grain and helped people set up an altar at which to worship. He would use paper to cover his face and submerge under water. He only emerged again when the incense burned out.
Zen Master Thao* Ðu'ò'ng was very virtuous and well versed in Buddhist literature. The Lý king made him his teacher. Subsequently, Thao Ðu'ò'ng passed away sitting upright.
Zen Master Tinh* Gió'i was a monk of Ðông Quan Prefecture. He practiced austerities and was miraculous in converting people. Once there was a drought in Giao Châu, and the Lý king sent an envoy to invite him [to the capital]. At midnight Tinh Gió'i stood in the yard burning incense. Sweet rain poured down. The Lý rewarded him and conferred on him the title "Rain Master.