41. Miao-chih
[OMITTED]
The nun Miao-chih (Marvellous Sagacity) (432-495) of Flower
Garland Convent
Miao-chih's secular surname was Ts'ao, and her family was originally
from Ho-nei [north of the Yellow River and the old northern capital of
Lo-yang].
Of gentle and intelligent disposition, she formed her mind in accordance
with the Great Conversion of Buddhism.[22] She kept the monastic
rules as carefully as though she were guarding bright pearls.
Untiring in patience, she displayed no irritability with regard to
worldly matters. Although faced with vexations, she never had other
than a pleasant countenance. Withdrawn from the world for a lifetime
of study, she was nevertheless happy the whole day. She thoroughly
penetrated the Buddhist teaching about the characteristics of existence,
and the world honored her.
[23]
When the meditation hall was first built, Emperor Wu (440-483493)[24]
of the Ch'i dynasty by imperial order requested Miao-chih to
lecture on the Shrīmālā[25] and the Vimalakīrti.[26] As she began and carried
out the lectures, several times the emperor personally attended,
asking questions without limit. Miao-chih made connections and distinctions,
from the first neither losing a point nor being stumped. The
emperor praised her again and again, and the four groups [monks,
nuns, laymen, and laywomen] very respectfully acknowledged her
learning.
Wen-hsüan (460-494), the Ch'i prince of Ching-ling [and second
son of Emperor Wu], marked off some land on Bell Mountain as a
cemetery in which to bury those of renowned virtue.[27]
Miao-chih died at the age of sixty-four in the second year of the
chien-wu reign period (495) and was buried on the south side of Grove
of Concentration Monastery on Bell Mountain. Madame Chiang,
wife of Palace Attendant Wang Lun (d. 494-498) of Lang-yeh, composed
the eulogy that was inscribed on the stone tablet set up on the
left side of the grave mound.[28]
[22]
Chinese Buddhist writings often use the term great conversion to refer
to the teachings of the Buddha.
[23]
This is the teaching that the external world consists only of dharma
marks or the defining characteristics of dharmas, the elements of the universe.
[24]
Emperor Wu of Ch'i (Nan Ch'i shu, chap. 3; Nan shih, chap. 4).
[25]
Shrīmālā-devī-simhanāda-sūtra (Sheng-man shih-tzu hou i sheng ta
fang pien fang kuang ching), or The Lion's Roar of Queen Śrīmālā, T. 12, no.
353, by Gunabadhra, who worked in the south 443-468. See
Répertoire.
Also see bibliography for reference to translation into English.
[26]
Vimalakīrti's Preaching Scripture. See biography 9, chap. 1 n. 73.
[27]
Wen-hsüan of Ch'i (Nan Ch'i shu, chap. 40; Nan shih, chap. 44).
[28]
Wang Lun (in biography of Wang Yü-chih in Nan Ch'i shu, chap. 32;
Nan shih, chap. 24).
