佛祖統紀 37.30

37.30

In the third year, an imperial edict ordered the repair of the Changgan Pagoda. While excavating the foundation, a stone reliquary was discovered, inside of which was a gold jar and a lapis lazuli vase containing relics, fingernails, and hair. An imperial decree ordered them divided and enshrined in two pagodas, both of which emitted bright light simultaneously. The Emperor visited Tongtai Monastery to cast gilt-bronze images of the Buddhas of the ten directions. He then went to King Aśoka Monastery (located within the capital city of Jiankang) to hold an unobstructed feast of the Dharma, and granted a great amnesty throughout the realm. Crown Prince Zhaoming, Tong, passed away. The Prince was by nature fond of Buddhism; he had separately erected the Huiyi Hall in the Eastern Palace as a place for Dharma assemblies, inviting eminent monks to establish the doctrine of the three truths, for which he was praised by his contemporaries. Prince of Yueyang Xiao Cha (Cha, also read as Chá, son of Zhaoming), while garrisoning Yuezhou, rebuilt two pagodas of brick and wood. Prior to this, the śramaṇa Tanyan and Xu Xun had together built these pagodas, but before they were finished Xun died. Yan had reached one hundred and twenty years of age by this year. Xun's subsequent rebirth was Xiao Cha. Yan announced beforehand to his disciples: 'Xu Xuandu is coming!' (Xun's courtesy name was Xuandu). At the time, Cha had previously received a secret revelation from Master Zhi; as soon as he entered the prefecture, he went to the monastery to visit the pagodas. Yan went out the gate and called to him, saying: 'Xu Xuandu, why come so late? The stūpa of former days remains as before.' He then empowered him with the power of samādhi, whereupon [Cha] immediately awakened to the matter of having built the pagodas in his former life (this is today's Yingtian Pagoda in Yuecheng).