Sŏk Hyŏn‘gak 釋玄恪 was a native of Silla. His moral power was unbending, and his wisdom and insight were great. He loved to lecture and preach, sensing a desire for his presence, and always fit [his discourse to] the capacities of his listeners. His contemporaries called him “a lotus in the fire”.[568]
He used to complain of the fact that he had been born in a remote region and thus could not witness the glory of China. Upon hearing the news of China, he rejoiced and was able to cross over to China by boat.[569] [1022c] Scanning the T‘ang capital, he felt discouraged, for he realized that he had already used up half his life span. But he resolved to seek out great masters and study under them.[570] Like the movement of the moon, day and night he went where his travels took him. Now he crossed over boulders heaped high where the courses of the birds were as high as the clouds;[571] now he traversed ice that extended for a thousand leagues, walking on the wind and lying down in the clouds.
At last he accompanied the master of the Law Hyŏnjo 玄照 and reached the Mahābodhi monastery in India. They traveled along the road of flaming fire and admired the “Shadowless Country” 無影之邦.[572] Carrying a writing case, he delved into his studies, improved and polished [his learning],[573] and finally established himself as a master. After passing the age when “he no longer suffered from perplexities,”[574] he died from illness.
Hyŏnjo[575] was also an eminent monk of Silla. He and [Hyŏn’] gak passed the examination together and all through their Lives they were of one mind. The place of his death is unknown.
There were two other Silla monks, whose names are unknown, who sailed from Ch‘ang-an and reached the country of Śrībuja 室利佛逝國.[576] Both died of illness.