釋氏稽古略 2.191

2.191

Reciting Sutras to Prolong Life: Śramaṇa Dharma Master Zhizang of the Liang initially travelled to Jiankang. The emperor summoned him for an audience and showed him deep respect. The emperor built a stupa and monastery for Mahāsattva Baozhi called Kaishan, and edicted that Zhizang reside there. Zhizang encountered an extraordinary person who said: "Your life expectancy, Master, ends at thirty-one years." Zhizang thereupon exhausted his utmost vigour to cultivate the Way, single-mindedly reciting the Vajracchedikā-prajñāpāramitā Sūtra. When the fateful year arrived, a voice suddenly said from mid-air: "By the power of prajñā, your lifespan is doubled." And indeed, his life ended at the age of sixty-two. He was buried by imperial decree to the left of Master Bao's monastery on Mount Dulong. Because of this, monastics and laity of Jiangzuo all uphold and recite the Diamond Sūtra. (Ganying zhuan).