佛祖歷代通載 13.35

13.35

二十六年。沙門法秀者。夢異僧勸置袈裟五百領。施回向寺僧。既覺歎異。遂乞匃造之。然遍訪所謂回向寺者。咸無得焉。一日道逢一僧。逆而問曰。託置袈裟今成未。秀曰。成矣。僧曰。吾導汝入回向寺。汝可裹糧載燧從吾以往。秀曰諾。翌日隨之入終南山。行二日。至深絕處。所見唯雲物掩苒嵓洞崎嶇。進遇石壇共止其上。僧命秀鑽燧出火。炷香望層霄拜之。忽雲開見崖半有朱門高聳剎旛飛揚。秀忻然與之攀躋而上。漸聞午梵清圓鐘磬交作。須臾望見其寺。有額曰回向。其僧即趨而入。命閽者授秀舘。因具儀謁上方老宿。次見諸僧皆奇偉雍穆相勞問。明日秀出袈裟遍寺施之。老宿謝畢携秀入一空房。呼侍者取尺八。俄頃侍者持玉簫至。老宿曰。此唐天子舊居之室也。向在此好聲樂。故降為人主。久當復歸。秀止再宿不得留。老宿授與玉簫并袈裟。囑曰。持歸獻唐天子。即遣僧送秀出寺。行未遠回望而雲霧四合。秀慨歎而還。詣闕表上所寄。帝覽之。因取玉簫調弄。宛如夙御焉。其後燕沈香亭詔李白為辭。帝吹玉簫楊妃起舞。歡甚疑飄搖而仙去（舊唐史）。

In the twenty-sixth year, a śramaṇa named Faxiu dreamt of an extraordinary monk who exhorted him to make five hundred kāṣāyas and donate them to the monks of Huixiang Monastery. Upon waking, he marvelled in wonder, and thereupon went begging to fashion them. However, when he searched everywhere for the so-called Huixiang Monastery, none could be found. One day on the road he met a monk, who came up and asked, 'Are the kāṣāyas you were entrusted to prepare completed yet?' Faxiu said, 'They are completed.' The monk said, 'I will lead you into Huixiang Monastery. You may pack provisions, carry flint, and follow me.' Faxiu agreed. The next day, he followed him into Mount Zhongnan. They walked for two days, reaching a deeply secluded place where all that was visible was dense clouds and rugged cliffs and caves. Advancing, they came upon a stone altar and rested atop it together. The monk ordered Faxiu to strike the flint for fire, and burning incense, he bowed toward the layered skies. Suddenly the clouds parted, revealing halfway up a cliff a lofty crimson gate with temple banners fluttering. Delighted, Faxiu scrambled up with him. Gradually he heard midday chanting, pure and clear, with bells and chimes sounding together. Shortly thereafter, he gazed upon the monastery, which bore a plaque reading 'Huixiang'. The monk hurried inside and ordered the gatekeeper to give Faxiu lodging. Then, following proper etiquette, Faxiu paid respects to the senior elder of the upper quarters. Next he saw the monks, all of whom were stately, dignified, and serene, greeting and inquiring after him. The next day, Faxiu brought out the kāṣāyas and distributed them throughout the whole monastery. When the elder had finished giving thanks, he led Faxiu into an empty room and called for an attendant to fetch a chiba. A moment later, the attendant arrived carrying a jade flute. The elder said, 'This is the room where the Son of Heaven of the Tang once dwelt. Formerly, while here, he was fond of music, and for that reason descended to become a lord of men. In due course he shall return.' Faxiu stayed for only two nights and could not remain longer. The elder presented him with the jade flute along with a kāṣāya, instructing him, 'Take these back and offer them to the Son of Heaven of the Tang.' He then dispatched a monk to escort Faxiu out of the monastery. Before they had gone far, Faxiu looked back, and clouds and mist had closed in on all sides. Sighing with deep emotion, Faxiu returned, went to the palace, and presented the entrusted items in a memorial. The emperor examined them, and then took the jade flute and played it, just as though it were his accustomed instrument of old. Later, while feasting at the Chenxiang Pavilion, he summoned Li Bai to compose lyrics; the emperor played the jade flute and Consort Yang danced, their joy so immense they seemed poised to drift away as immortals (Old History of the Tang).