律相感通傳 1.46

1.46

"He answered, 'Both emperors built it. Formerly, in the time of King Mu of Zhou, the Buddha's Dharma already existed. This mountain was numinous and extraordinary, the abode of Mañjuśrī. King Mu built a monastery there to make offerings, and King Aśoka also erected a stūpa there based upon it. At the beginning of Emperor Ming of Han, Kāśyapa Mātaṅga also saw the stūpa with the divine eye and requested the Emperor to establish a monastery. The mountain's shape resembles Vulture Peak, so it was named "Dafu" (Great Trust)—"fu" meaning "trust". The Emperor trusted in the principles of the Buddha and built the monastery to liberate people. Emperor Xiaowen of the Yuan Wei, whose Northern Terrace was not far away, frequently came to pay homage. Footprints of people and horses were clearly visible upon the stones, so this matter can be understood. Not only Mount Wutai: at present, Zhongnan, Taibai, Taihua, and the famous mountains of the Five Sacred Peaks all have sages residing in them to maintain the Buddha's Dharma; they are everywhere. When someone prepares an offering, they must invite them beforehand. Seven days prior, they should place a soft seat in a quiet room, burn incense, set out the written petition, and close the doors to pray and seek them; there is none who does not obtain a spiritual response. When the time comes and they arrive, it is difficult to distinguish the ordinary from the sacred. If one does not do so, then because those who extend invitations are numerous, they will rarely come to dine. Nowadays, some make an image of the holy monk Piṇḍola and set up a room to make offerings; this too is one method. However, one must set aside an empty seat, place bowls in front of it, and when it is time for the monastics to eat, have a fully ordained monk receive it; one must not serve it using the monastics' common platters and basins. For although ordinary and sacred differ, neither touches the monastic dining vessels. If it is a lay household, one simply arranges it according to lay custom. If one does not set up the aforesaid quiet room, only other holy gatherings might descend, for the three continents share the same offerings and receive separate notifications in accord with conditions; hence this Piṇḍola is difficult to encounter.'"