勅修百丈清規 8.13

8.13

The Records of Spiritual Resonances says: 'Krakucchanda Buddha made a green stone bell at the Sūtra Cloister in India. At sunrise, various transformation Buddhas appeared together with the sun, secretly expounding and visibly preaching the twelve divisions of scripture; those who heard the Dharma and attained sainthood were countless.' The Ekottarika Āgama says: 'When the bell is struck, all the sufferings of the evil destinies completely cease.' Furthermore, the Records of Jinling says: 'A commoner died suddenly and entered the underworld administration, where he saw a man fettered in five wooden cangues and manacles, who told him, saying: "I am the former ruler of the Southern Tang. Because Song Qiqiu mistakenly executed those who surrendered at Hezhou, I was brought to this. Whenever I hear the sound of the bell, my suffering temporarily ceases. I rely on you to return and tell the succeeding sovereign to make a bell for me." When the commoner returned, he reported the matter fully to the Latter Ruler, who thereupon had a great bell cast at Qingliang Temple, inscribed: "Offered so that Emperor Liezu Xiaogao may be released from the underworld and delivered from hardship."'