樂邦遺稿 2.75

2.75

The Guangyiji states: “During the Kaiyuan reign era of the Tang, Prince Fan of Qi, having no son, sought the Daoist master Ye Jingneng to submit a petition to the Heavenly Bureau. The reply said: ‘By destiny, Fan is not to have a son.’ Jingneng again sent an official document to the Heavenly Bureau. The Heavenly Bureau, having no choice, dispatched two emissaries to take a monk of Aijing Monastery to become his son. The two emissaries mistakenly went to Shengguan Monastery to take a certain venerable monk. That monk said: ‘Throughout my life I have cultivated the karma for the Tuṣita Heaven; I ought not to become a son to human beings.’ The two emissaries then left. At that time, a monk of Aijing Monastery eventually passed away on that very day, and after one year the Prince of Qi had a son. When he was only six or seven years old, he constantly asked to go to Aijing Monastery to play. The prince allowed him to do so, and whenever he saw the monks, it was as if seeing old acquaintances. Before long, when he grew up, he took a great liking to archery and hunting; this is also how intentions change as one pursues worldly things.”