高僧傳 5.34

5.34

Later, he went into Mount Jun in Baling to fell timber; this is what the Shanhaijing calls Mount Dongting. On the mountain there was a cave connected to Mount Bao in Wu. As the mountain was numinous and uncanny, people feared it greatly. When Yi led men into the mountain, they encountered several tens of white snakes lying across the path to block their way. Yi withdrew to where he was staying and petitioned the mountain spirit from afar, repenting and confessing on its behalf. He then said to the spirit: "I am felling timber to build a temple, and I hope we may share in this merit." That night he saw a spirit-man in a dream who told Yi: "Since the Dharma Master requires it for the Three Jewels, I rejoice especially in your endeavor, but do not allow other people to fell trees recklessly." When they went again the next day, the path was completely clear and level. Thereupon they felled the timber and floated it downstream; among them, the woodcutters could not refrain from stealing some for their private use. When they arrived at the temple, Yi's timber was intact, but all that the other men had taken for themselves was confiscated by officials. Such was his sincere efficacy.