高僧傳 7.25

7.25

Shi Huiyi, whose surname was Liang, was a native of Beidi. He left home in his youth, with an outstanding bearing and a firm, upright aspiration for his vocation. Initially he traveled to study in the region of Peng and Song, becoming thoroughly versed in the meaning of the scriptures. Later he came to the capital and recounted: 'In Jizhou there was the monk Facheng, who on his deathbed told his disciple Puyan: "The divine spirit of Mount Songgao said that in Jiangdong there is General Liu, who is destined to receive the Mandate of Heaven; I provide thirty-two jade bi-discs and one jar of gold as a token of trust."' This report eventually reached the King of Song. The King of Song said to [Hui]yi: 'An extraordinary portent also requires an extraordinary person to bring it about. If you, Dharma Master, do not go in person, I fear it cannot be obtained.' [Hui]yi then went. In the seventh month of the thirteenth year of the Yixi era of the Jin, he went to Mount Songgao, but searching for it, he could not find it. He then single-mindedly burned incense and practiced the Way; on the seventh night, he dreamed of an old man with a long beard holding a staff, who led [Hui]yi to the place of the bi-discs and pointed, saying: 'It is beneath this stone.' The next morning, [Hui]yi walked around the mountain and saw a place shining brightly just as seen in his dream; beneath the stone altar at the shrine, he indeed obtained thirty-two jade bi-discs, large and small, and one jar of yellow gold. This auspicious omen is detailed in the History of the Song. When [Hui]yi later returned to the capital, Emperor Wu of Song received him with even greater esteem; up until his accession to the throne, his courteous treatment of him grew ever deeper.