卷三傳七禪基寺僧蓋尼

僧蓋。本姓田。趙國均仁人也。父宏梁天水太守。蓋幼出家為僧志尼弟子住彭城華林寺。忘利養惔毀譽。永徽元年索虜侵州。與同學法進南遊京室。住妙相尼寺。博聽經律深究旨歸。專修禪定惟日不足。寒暑不變衣裳。四時無新飲食。但資一菜中飯而已。受業於隱審二禪師。禪師皆歎其易悟。

齊永明中。移止禪基寺。欲廣弘觀道。道俗諮訪。更成紛動。乃別立禪房於寺之左。宴默其中。出則善誘諄諄不倦。齊竟陵文宣王蕭子良。四時資給。雖已耆艾而志向不衰。終日清虛通夜不寐。

年六十四。永明十一年卒也。時寺又有法延者。本姓許。高陽人也。精進有行業。亦以禪定顯聞也

3.7 (Tsai no.43) Seng-kai

The nun Seng-kai (Canopy of the Sangha) (430-493) of Foundation for Meditation Convent

Seng-kai's secular surname was T'ien, and her family was originally from Chün-jen in the Chao region [north of the Yellow River]. Her father, T'ien Hung-liang, was administrator of T'ien-shui in [northwest China].

Seng-kai was still a child when she left secular life to become a disciple of the nun Seng-chih in Flower Grove Convent [of the northeastern city] of P'eng-ch'eng, where she forgot about gaining personal advantage and ignored slander or praise.

In the first year of the yüan-hui reign period (473), when the northern barbarians invaded the province, she, together with her fellow student Fa-chin, went south to the capital [Chien-k'ang], and took up residence in Wonderful Appearance Convent. Seng-kai listened extensively to the scriptures and to the texts of monastic discipline, inquiring deeply into their meanings. She especially cultivated the practice of meditation and [as the Classic of History says], "A single day was not enough." In cold weather or hot she did not change the amount of clothing she wore, and throughout the four seasons she did not vary her food or drink but sustained herself with only one dish of vegetables at the noon meal.

[Seng-kai received] instruction from the two masters of meditation Fa-yin and Seng-shen (416-490), both of whom marveled at her easy awakening. During the yung-ming reign period (483-493) of the Ch'i dynasty she moved to Foundation for Meditation Convent, where she wanted to propagate the way of contemplation, but monastics and laity alike came to consult her, greatly increasing the hubbub. Thereupon, on the left side of the convent she built a separate meditation hall wherein she remained in quietude. When she went out from the meditation hall, then she was apt in giving instructions and exhortation without growing weary.

Hsiao Tzu-liang, the prince of Ching-ling, Wen-hsüan (460-494) [second son of Emperor Wu], provided for her material needs throughout the year.

Although Seng-kai was already old, her determination had not weakened, for she was dispassionate throughout the day and alert throughout the night. In the eleventh year of the yung-ming reign period (493), she died at the age of sixty-four.

Also at that time in the same convent was the nun Fa-yen whose secular name was Hsü and whose family had come from Kao-yang [in north China]. Her vigorous practice produced results, and she, too [like Seng-kai], was known for her accomplishments in meditation.