佛祖統紀 36.53

36.53

王坦之為中書令。與沙門竺法汰甚厚。每共論幽冥報應。要先死者報其事。後師來云。貧道已死罪福不虛。唯當勤修道德以升濟神明耳。言訖不見。道安法師於襄陽檀溪寺建浮圖銅像（梵語浮圖。又窣堵波。又塔婆。此云高顯處）能自起行至方山。光明燭天傾都瞻拜。高士習鑿齒詣安自稱四海習鑿齒。安答曰。彌天釋道安。時以為名對。上聞安名。詔曰。法師以道德照臨天人。宜日食王公祿。所司以時奉給。

Wang Tanzhi served as Prefect of the Palace Secretariat and was on very close terms with the śramaṇa Zhu Fatai. They often discussed retribution in the unseen world and agreed that whoever died first should report on the matter. Later, the master came and said, 'This poor monk has died; sins and blessings are not empty. One must only diligently cultivate the virtue of the Way to elevate and liberate the spirit.' Having spoken, he disappeared. Dharma Master Dao'an constructed a bronze image of a stūpa at Tanxi Monastery in Xiangyang (in Sanskrit: futu, also stūpa, also thūpa; here rendered 'elevated and prominent place'). It was able to rise and walk on its own to Mount Fang, its radiant light illuminating the heavens, and the entire capital flocked to gaze upon and revere it. The eminent gentleman Xi Zuochi visited Dao'an and announced himself, saying, 'Xi Zuochi of the Four Seas.' Dao'an replied, 'Shi Dao'an of Vast Heaven.' The people of the time considered this a renowned matching pair. When the emperor heard of Dao'an's reputation, he issued a decree saying, 'The Dharma Master illuminates heaven and humans with his virtue of the Way. He should daily receive the stipend of a prince or duke, and the relevant officials shall supply it regularly.'