釋鑑稽古略續集 1.80

1.80

When Shizu was still a hidden dragon, he set out on a campaign to the Western Lands. Taking the cherishing of life as his duty, he lost his path and encountered a monk, who opened the way and bestowed upon him a prophecy. From this he illuminated the realm, governed myriad nations, greatly propagated the esoteric vehicle, and elevated the Three Jewels. He welcomed the sandalwood auspicious image back to the inner palace and enshrined it in the Renzhi Hall on Wanshui Mountain as a treasure of the present age. Furthermore, he built Dashengshou Wan'an Monastery to enshrine it, allowing all people to behold and worship it. When subtle rays of light manifested from the Dīpaṃkara Buddha stūpa, the Emperor ordered it opened and examined; inside were relics dazzling to human eyes. Because of this, the precious stūpa was rebuilt. The Emperor ordered the Tripiṭaka written in gold characters. Before the illustration at the head of the scroll was decided upon, the Emperor said: "This sūtra was spoken by Śākyamuni Tathāgata; paint only the master who spoke it, so that those who read and recite it may know from whence it originated."