The Master was a son of the Han family of Jiang District. He left home at the age of seventeen. The Master thoroughly understood the Sutras and Shastras and strictly upheld the precepts.

The Master first visited the Wayplace of Dhyana Master Shitou. At that time, his affinities with Venerable Shitou seemed slight. Dhyana Master Shitou commanded him to visit Master Mazu. Then the Master became aware of his causes and conditions from the past. Afterwards, the Master returned to Dhyana Master Shitou.

One day while the Master was sitting on a rock, Dhyana Master Shitou asked him, "What are you doing there?"

The Master replied, "I'm not doing anything."

Dhyana Master Shitou asked further, "Why are you sitting there at leisure?"

The Master answered, "To sit at leisure is in itself doing something."

Dhyana Master Shitou said, "You say you're not doing anything. What is it that you're not doing?"

The Master replied, "Even a thousand sages would not know."

Dhyana Master Shitou spoke a verse in praise:

From long ago we have dwelled together with it,
Yet we do not know its name.
Within causes and conditions, we help each other,
Yet the acquaintance still has not been made.
The ancient sages did not know it either.
How could ordinary people, who constantly err, understand it?

Later the Master lectured at Yaoshan. In the eighth year of Taihe during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Tang dynasty, the Master followed the way of the world. A stupa was constructed in the eastern corner of the monastery. His posthumous title was Great Master Hongdao (Propagating the Way). The stupa was called Huacheng ("Transformation City").

Commentary:
The Master belonged to the Caodong sect. The Master was a son of the Han family of Jiang District. He was born in the Jiang District in China. His last name was Han. He left home at the age of seventeen. The Master thoroughly understood the Sutras and Shastras. The Master had a thorough understanding of the Tripitaka: the Sutra, the Shastras, and the Vinaya. And strictly upheld the precepts. The Master looked upon the precepts as being particularly important. He upheld the precepts purely.

The Master first visited the Wayplace of Dhyana Master Shitou. At the beginning, the Master went to the Wayplace of Dhyana Master Xiqian from Shitou in Nanjing. At that time, his affinities with Venerable Shitou seemed slight. He really didn't understand him. He could only understand a little of the teaching, not very much. Dhyana Master Shitou commanded him to visit Master Mazu. Dhyana Master Xiqian suggested that the Master follow Venerable Mazu in Jiangxi province as his teacher. Then the Master became aware of his causes and conditions from the past. At Venerable Mazu's Wayplace, the Master gained an understanding of the causes and conditions of his previous lives. He also comprehended the teaching of Dhyana Master Shitou. Afterwards, the Master returned to Dhyana Master Shitou. Dhyana Master Weiyan returned to Nanjing.

One day while the Master was sitting on a rock, Dhyana Master Shitou, also known as Dhyana Master Xiqian, asked him, "What are you doing there?" He asked the Master what he was doing there.

The Master replied, "I'm not doing anything." Dhyana Master Weiyan said that he was not doing anything.

Dhyana Master Shitou asked again, "Why are you sitting there at leisure?" Venerable Shitou asked, "Then why do you want to sit here at leisure?"

The Master answered, "To sit at leisure is in itself doing something." Dhyana Master Shitou said, "You say you're not doing anything. What is it that you're not doing?" This is Chan banter. Dhyana Master Shitou said, "You told me that you are not doing anything. What are you not doing? Tell me." The Master Weiyan replied, "As for what you have asked me, even a thousand sages would not know what it is that is not being done."

Dhyana Master Shitou spoke a verse in praise: From the Master's reply, Venerable Shitou knew that the Master understood.

From long ago we have dwelled together with it, yet we do not know its name. This is to say that for eons without beginning, it has stayed with you, but you do not know the name of it. Even though it's with you, you still don't recognize it.

Within cause and conditions, we help each other, yet the acquaintance still has not been made. This is to explain that all are in accord with causes and conditions. You help it and it helps you, yet you do not know each other. There is nothing you can do about it.

The ancient sages did not know it either. Superior sages from ancient time also did not know or could not recognize it.

How could ordinary people, who constantly err, understand it? Ordinary people make mistakes one after another. How could they understand it? Even the superior sages and worthies don't understand it; how could ordinary people understand it?

Later the Master lectured at Yaoshan. Later, Dharma Master Weiyan disseminated the Buddhadharma in Yaoshan. That is why he was called Dhyana Master Weiyan of Yaoshan.

In the jiayin, the eighth year of the Taihe reign period of Emperor Wen of Tang dynasty, the Master followed the way of the world. In the Tang dynasty, the eighth year (while Emperor Wen reigned) which was known as jiayin, the Master followed the way of the world, which means he manifested the stillness. A stupa was constructed in the eastern corner of the monastery. The stupa was to the east of the monastery. His posthumous title was Great Master Hongdao (Propagating the Way). The emperor conferred a posthumous title upon the Master, naming him Great Mast Hongdao. The stupa was called Huacheng. The stupa was called "Transformation City."

To be continued