緇門警訓 9.145

9.145

○溪堂雜錄云。元祐中有蜀僧智超法師。常誦華嚴經。已三十年。偶見一童子風貌清爽舉手高揖。超曰。何來。曰五臺來。超曰。何遠至此。曰有少事欲相導故。超曰。願聞。曰吾師誦經固可嘉矣。但失在登廁洗淨時。觸水淋其手背。而未嘗用灰泥洗之。所用灰泥律制七度。今但二三。緣此觸尚存。禮佛誦經悉皆得罪。言訖不見。超慚而改過。識者或曰。此必文殊化現有警於超也。故知洗手必須依法。因果經云。觸手請經當獲廁中蟲報。

The Xitang zalu states: "During the Yuanyou era, there was a monk from Shu named Dharma Master Zhichao, who had recited the Avataṃsaka Sūtra constantly for thirty years. One day he saw a boy of fresh and clear bearing, who raised his hands in a high bow. Chao asked, 'Where have you come from?' He replied, 'From Wutai.' Chao asked, 'Why have you come so far to this place?' He replied, 'Because I have a small matter about which I wish to guide you.' Chao said, 'I wish to hear it.' The boy said, 'That my master recites the sūtra is certainly commendable; however, your fault lies in when you go to the privy to wash: impure water drips onto the back of your hand, yet you have never used ashes and earth to wash it. The vinaya prescribes using ashes and earth seven times, but you use them only two or three times. Because of this, the impurity still remains; both bowing to the Buddha and reciting the sūtras thereby incur transgression.' Having spoken, he disappeared. Chao was ashamed and reformed his faults. Those who understand remarked: 'This must have been a manifestation of Mañjuśrī to admonish Chao.' Therefore know that washing the hands must accord with the rules. The Sūtra on Cause and Effect states: 'Handling sūtras with impure hands will bring retribution as an insect in a privy.'"