釋氏稽古略 4.287

4.287

In Xiuzhou of the Song (now Jiaxing Circuit), there was a spring drought. Prayers to Guanyin at Jingyan Monastery proved efficacious, and the holy image was redecorated. In the summer, drought occurred again, and prayers were offered once more. Marquis Zeng, the prefect, dreamed of a heavenly being in white robes who said: "I indeed ought to bring rain for this region. However, my face is impure, and I cannot see anything for thirty li; how can I convene with the assembly of holy ones?" The next day he investigated the cause, and it turned out that the artisan, desiring the holy countenance to be bright and moist, had mixed egg whites and ox glue with the powder. Thereupon they redid it anew, and as soon as prayers were offered, there was an immediate response (Xinian lu, Guanyin ganying ji).