勅修百丈清規 2.77

2.77

The Precious Mirror of Humans and Devas says: Chan Master Zhi of Mount Yunggai in Hunan was sitting at night in the abbot's quarters, when suddenly he smelled a scorching odor and heard the sound of a cangue and chains. Drawing near to look, there was someone wearing a flaming cangue, with flames constantly flaring up and dying down, and the end of the cangue resting against the door threshold. Zhi asked in astonishment: 'Who are you, to suffer such an extreme torment?' The one wearing the cangue replied: 'I am Shourong, former abbot of this mountain. Improperly diverting the items donated by patrons to feed the monks in order to construct the Sangha hall, I therefore suffer this torment.' Zhi asked: 'By what expedient means can you be freed?' Rong said: 'I hope you will appraise the value of the Sangha hall and replenish and provide the offerings for the monks; only then can I be freed.' Using his own wealth, Zhi compensated for it according to his words. One night, he dreamed that Rong thanked him, saying: 'Relying on the Master's power, I have obtained release from the torments of hell and have been born among humans and devas; after three lifetimes, I will again become a monk.' The scorch marks on the door threshold still remain today. Now, Venerable Rong used goods meant for feeding monks to build a Sangha hall, all for the monks' use and enjoyment, yet he still suffered such retribution for diverting funds. If this is so, how much worse will it be for those in monastic groves today who dismiss cause and effect, who not only divert funds, but even steal property of the permanent abode to make it their own?