佛祖統紀 47.55

47.55

During the Chunxi era of our dynasty, there was a śramaṇa whose origin was unknown. He carted this scripture to Yongdong in Siming. As he traveled the road, he recited it incessantly in a flowing voice. Wo Chengzhang, a local of the hamlet, met him on the road and asked him about it. He replied, 'I can recite aloud all the scriptures in my cart.' At first, Chengzhang did not believe him. He tried pulling out several fascicles to recite along with him; in an instant, he had recited them through. Only then did [Chengzhang] marvel greatly at him and slowly inquire into the cause. The śramaṇa said, 'There is a gateway method for this. If one can master its gateways, the texts of all one hundred and three fascicles can be recited by heart.' Chengzhang was delighted and wished to receive instruction. Once he had mastered it, he further taught his wife, children, and servants, so that his entire household could recite it through. Thereupon he carved printing blocks to circulate the gateway method so as to transform the people of the world (the old printed edition that bears an imprint of donation from the dingyou year of the Chunxi era is this one).