釋氏稽古略 3.238

3.238

Manifestation of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva: The Emperor was fond of clams. Coastal officials previously relayed them in swift succession, which was toilsome for the people. By the fifth year of Taihe, one day among the imperial delicacies there was a clam that could not be pried open. As soon as it was reported to the Emperor, he burned incense and prayed over it. Thereupon it opened, fully endowed with the physical form and Indian features of a bodhisattva. The Emperor stored it in a sandalwood box ornamented with gold grains and bestowed it upon Xingshan Monastery, ordering the assembly to view and venerate it. He then asked his ministers, "What kind of omen is this?" Someone memorialized, "Chan Master Weizheng of Mount Taiyi profoundly understands the Buddha's teachings and possesses extensive knowledge and discernment. We beg you to issue an edict to interrogate him." The Master was immediately summoned. The Emperor asked for an explanation. Weizheng said, "Things do not respond in vain; this is simply to open Your Majesty’s faithful mind. A sutra states: 'To those who are to be saved by this body, he immediately manifests this body and preaches the Dharma for them.'" The Emperor said, "The bodhisattva's body has already appeared, yet I have not heard the Dharma preached." Chan Master Weizheng asked, "Does Your Majesty regard this as ordinary or extraordinary? Do you believe it or not believe it?" The Emperor said, "It is an extraordinary occurrence, and I believe it deeply." The Master said, "Your Majesty's heart has believed; the preaching of the Dharma is already complete." The Emperor was delighted, experiencing what he had never had before. He issued an edict to monasteries throughout the realm, commanding each to erect an image of Avalokiteśvara to repay this extraordinary grace. He retained the Master in the Inner Bodhimaṇḍa. After repeatedly declining in order to return to his mountain, an edict ordered him to reside at Shengshou Monastery. The Master was a man of Pingyuan, surnamed Zhou. He was tonsured under Dharma Master Quancheng of Yanhe Monastery in his home prefecture, and attained the Dharma under Chan Master Puji of Mount Song. He lived in seclusion on Mount Taiyi, where students filled his room. At the beginning of Wuzong's reign, he entered and resided in the Zhongnan Mountains. After his passing, he was cremated; forty-nine relics were gathered and a stupa was erected for him. [Chan Master] Ji of Mount Song was the heir of Chan Master Xiu of the Northern School (Transmission of the Lamp). In the guichou year, the seventh year of Taihe, in the tenth month on the Emperor's birthday, Dharma Master Zhixuan and Daoist priests were summoned to enter the Linde Hall to debate the Way.