佛祖統紀 41.8

41.8

四年。帝於大明宮建道場。感佛光現。諸王公主近侍諸臣。並覩光相。自子夜至雞鳴。宰相裴冕上表稱賀。五年。彗星見於東方。詔不空三藏行法。既而星殞。時春夏不雨。詔建壇祈禱。越二日大雨霑足○初沙門自覺居平山。為鬼神講經。當陽節度使張昭。躬入山致請曰。昭無政術致三年亢陽。引咎無補。聞龍神依師聽法忘其行雨願起大悲。師焚香遙望潭洞而祝。頃刻雲起甘澤遽下。歲乃有秋。

In the fourth year, the Emperor established a bodhimaṇḍa in the Daming Palace, which induced the manifestation of a Buddha light. The princes, princesses, attendants, and ministers all beheld the luminous sign, which lasted from midnight until cockcrow. Prime Minister Pei Mian submitted a memorial of congratulation. In the fifth year, a comet appeared in the east. An imperial decree instructed Tripiṭaka Master Amoghavajra to perform rituals, after which the comet fell. At that time, it did not rain throughout spring and summer; an imperial decree ordered the erection of an altar to pray [for rain], and after two days, a heavy downpour thoroughly soaked the ground. Earlier, Śramaṇa Zijue resided on Mount Ping, preaching sūtras to ghosts and spirits. Zhang Zhao, the military commissioner of Dangyang, personally entered the mountain to extend an invitation, saying: 'Zhao lacks governing skill, resulting in three years of severe drought; taking the blame upon myself brings no relief. I have heard that the dragon spirits stay by the Master to hear the Dharma and forget to make rain; I pray you give rise to great compassion.' The Master burned incense, looked toward the deep pool and cave from afar, and offered prayers; instantly clouds arose, sweet moisture poured down, and the year yielded an autumn harvest.