高僧傳 2.46

2.46

Dharmakṣema clearly understood spellcraft (mantra/dhāraṇī), and wherever he applied it, it was effective; in the Western Regions he was called the "Great Master of Spells." Later he followed the king into the mountains. The king was thirsty and needed water but could not find any. Dharmakṣema then silently chanted a spell, and water came forth from a rock. He then praised: "It is the influence of the Great King's benevolent bounty that has caused a spring to spring forth from a dry rock." Neighboring countries that heard of it all praised the king's virtue. At that time, rainfall was very well regulated, and the common people sang praises. The king was pleased with his supernatural arts and treated him with deep favor. After a while, the king's favor gradually waned, and he treated him more coldly. Dharmakṣema, realizing that staying long invited weariness, took his leave and went to Jibin (Kashmir). He carried the earlier portion of the Mahānirvāṇa-sūtra in ten fascicles, together with the Bodhisattvacaryā-sūtra, the Bodhisattva-prātimokṣa, and others. That country mostly studied the Hīnayāna and did not believe in the Nirvāṇa, so he went east to Kucha. Soon afterwards, he advanced further to Guzang and stayed at a post station. Fearing that he might lose the sūtra manuscript, he used it as a pillow to sleep on. Someone dragged him to the ground. Dharmakṣema woke with a start, thinking it was a thief. After three nights like this, he heard a voice in the air say: "This is the Tathāgata's treasury of liberation; why do you use it as a pillow?" Dharmakṣema felt ashamed and awakened [to his fault], placing it separately in a high place. At night, thieves tried to steal it, attempting several times to lift it, but in the end they could not raise it. The next morning, Dharmakṣema carried the sūtra away without finding it heavy. Seeing this, the thieves considered him a holy man and all came to bow and apologize.