29. Fa-hsiang
[OMITTED]
The nun Fa-hsiang (Mark of the Law) (ca. 375-ca. 453) of Great
Mysterious Terrace Convent of Wu Commandery [southeast of
the capital]
Fa-hsiang's secular surname was Hou. Her family was originally from
Tun-huang [an outpost in far-northwest China].[100]
Fa-hsiang was outstanding in her excellence of both character and
intellect. Zealous in her love of study, she would not slacken her efforts
on account of scarcity; she was content in her poverty, and material
prosperity did not sway her. Fa-hsiang married into the Fuh clan,[101] but
the family was beset by many troubles, and, when the ruler of the
Former Ch'in dynasty, Fu Chien, suffered defeat (383), all her relatives
disappeared or perished in the aftermath.[102] She then left the household
life and undertook the observance of the monastic rules. Her belief in
and understanding of [the Buddhist religion] was profound.
Fa-hsiang often divided her clothing and food, giving the best to the
nun Hui-su. The other nuns admonished Fa-hsiang saying, "The nun
Hui-su is uncultivated and inarticulate. She has been totally unable to
learn anything about Buddhist teaching, scriptures, or monastic rules.
She wanted to study meditation, but no one would give her instruction,
for she is a thorough dolt and the worst of idiots. Why is it that
you do not try to harvest [greater merit for yourself by sowing the
seeds of generosity] in a more spiritually worthy field instead of cultivating
this very inferior one [that is unable to produce a good harvest
of blessings?]"
Fa-hsiang responded [to the charge], "One would have to be a saint
to know the spiritual accomplishments of the recipient of donations. I,
however, because I am a very ordinary person, would rather do it this
way. If I make a suitable donation, why should I be concerned with
deliberately selecting [a so-called superior recipient]?"
Later, the nun Hui-su, whom the others thought to be hopeless,
sponsored a seven-day meditation session. On the third night Hui-su
sat down in meditation with the rest of the assembly, but she did not
get up again with the others. When they observed her they saw that
she was rigid like wood or stone.[103] When they tugged at her, she did
not move. Some said that she had died, but three days later she got up
and was her usual self. It was only then that the whole assembly recognized
Hui-su's extraordinary accomplishment in meditation, and for
the first time they became aware of Fa-hsiang's profound insight and
ability [to recognize the spiritual capacities of others]. Things like this
happened more than once.
The years went by, and Fa-hsiang in her old age was even more rigorous
in her practice of austerities. She was over ninety when she died
at the end of the yüan-chia reign period (424-453).
[100]
Tun-huang, an important town along the Silk Road, in present-day
Kansu. See map.
[101]
Fuh clan, spelled Fuh to distinguish from the Fu of Fu Chien. They are
two different characters.
[102]
Fu Chien lost an important battle in 383 when he tried to invade the
territory of Eastern Chin. He was strangled to death in 385 by a rival (Rogers,
Chronicle of Fu Chien, p. 190; Chin shu, chaps. 113-114; Wei shu,
chap. 95).
[103]
See introduction and biographies 27 and 31.
