University of Virginia Library

40. Seng-meng

[OMITTED]

The nun Seng-meng (Courageous in the Sangha) (418-489) of
Brightness of Ch'i Convent of Yen-kuan County

Seng-meng's secular surname was Ts'en. Her family was originally
from Nan-yang [near the old northern capital of Lo-yang],[14] but they
had removed to Yen-kuan County [on the seacoast some distance
southeast of the Ch'i dynastic capital of Chien-k'ang] and, by the time
Seng-meng was born, had lived there for five generations.[15] Her great-grandfather
Ts'en Shuai, in the Eastern Chin dynasty (317-420), was
the secretary to the head of the subprefectural personnel and magistrate
of Yü-hang [which lay to the west of Yen-kuan].[16]

For generations the family had followed the Taoist religion of the
Yellow Emperor and Lao-tzu and had also believed in and worshipped
demonic spirits. Nevertheless, Seng-meng, even as a child, resolutely
determined to uproot these vulgar practices.

When she was twelve, her father died. Weeping bitterly until she
vomited blood, she died and then revived.[17] After the three-year
mourning period was completed, she demonstrated her unquenchable
spirit by taking leave of her mother and going forth into the homeless
life.[18]

Seng-meng's conduct was already pure, and she respectfully served
her teacher. Her food of plain vegetables and coarse rice was sufficient
just to preserve life and limb. In practicing the ritual of confession she
was never weary nor remiss, and, when she was repenting her former
sins, her tears flowed in utmost sincerity. She was able to do what others
could not do.

When the governor of I Province, Chang Tai (413-483) of Wu
Commandery, heard of her good reputation, he highly honored her
and requested her to become his family teacher.[19]

In the first year of the yüan-hui reign period (473) of the Sung
dynasty the nun Ching-tu entered the region of Wu and took Seng-meng
to the capital city of Chien-k'ang to live in Establishing Blessings
Convent. Seng-meng read through many scriptures day and night;
when she followed lectures her mind was never weary; she learned
much and remembered well, always able to recall whatever she had
heard. Thus she studied and comprehended all the scriptures and

books of monastic discipline, and with pure desires she sat quietly in
meditation, immeasurably tranquil.

In the fourth year of the chien-yüan reign period (482) of the Ch'i
dynasty when her mother became ill, Seng-meng returned east to her
home in Yen-kuan County and made the house there into a convent
that she called Brightness of Ch'i. She built shrine rooms and halls and
planted rows of bamboo. Tranquil both within and without, it looked
like the dwelling place of the immortals.[20] She gave her food to the
hungry and her clothes to those suffering from the cold.

Once a hunter approached the convent from the south. The flying
birds and running beasts rushed to Seng-meng for refuge with the pursuing
falcons and dogs very close behind.[21] Seng-meng blocked them
with her body and arms, and, although she was pecked and bitten, the
creatures who had fled to her escaped from harm.

Several dozen persons lived together with her for more than thirty
years without once seeing her angry. She was seventy-two years old
when she died in the seventh year of the yung-ming reign period (489)
of the Ch'i dynasty.

At that time there was also the nun Seng-yüan who was the daughter
of Seng-meng's cousin on her father's side. Seng-yüan was also
known for her filial behavior. Her conduct was exalted and her wisdom
deep.