佛祖統紀 14.42

14.42

Dharma Master Rujing was bestowed the title Puming. Early on he entered Cibian's room. A man of Hangzhou, having killed his elder brother out of personal grudge, later deeply regretted it and reported it to a Vinaya master. The Vinaya master answered, “A life for a life; why even ask?” The man thereupon threw himself into West Lake and died, intending to pay for his brother's life and avoid future enmity. Not becoming a ghost, he instead regretted jumping into the water. When a crowd entered Leifeng to receive the precepts, the ghost followed them in. Hearing the precept master say that when people commit offenses they are permitted to repent, the ghost grew angry at the Vinaya master: “Had I known early on that it could be repented, I certainly would not have jumped into the water!” Day and night he followed the Vinaya master demanding his life. Though told of ritual dedications for his deliverance, he declined them all in a hundred ways. After a long time, he said, “Invite Buddha-son Jing for me; if he bestows the Mahāyāna precepts, I can be released.” When the Master conferred the precept method on him, the ghost appeared in form, expressed his gratitude, and departed. Later, when the Master presided over Jiewu, students gathered like clouds. Only one room was left empty and locked, said to be inhabited by an evil ghost. The Master entered the room at midnight to sit in meditation, and suddenly heard a roar. He saw a human head flying and scurrying on the floor, which soon transformed into a person. The Master said to him, “Why do you disturb people?” The ghost said, “Whenever I appear to people, I originally seek deliverance. When people see me they are naturally afraid; I am not disturbing them.” The Master then expounded the Dharma and conferred the precepts upon him, saying to him, “You may enter my sleeve.” The ghost followed his instruction. Feeling it to be extremely heavy, the Master carried him to a grove and released him; he transformed into a heavenly being, diligently thanked the Master, and flew into the sky and vanished. In the second year of the Jianyan period, the Master moved to Upper Zhusheng. Earlier, there was a medium conducting divination with a spirit boy; someone asked about the abbacy of Upper Zhusheng. The boy said, “Wait until I ask the earth deity.” After a long while, he said, “This morning, a celestial decree has already come down inviting Dharma Master Jing.” After a month, the Master arrived. In the eleventh month of the third year, the Jin invaders breached Hangzhou. The Master had a premonitory dream, knowing that this mountain’s disaster could not be avoided, and told his disciples to flee. When the invaders arrived, someone thought they could welcome them with ritual, and struck the bell to assemble the crowd. The invaders suspected that they were about to resist, unleashed their troops in a great plunder, set fire to the buildings, and departed.