高僧傳 9.30

9.30

At that time in Wei County there was a displaced person whose clan was unknown, who constantly wore a hempen jacket and cloth skirt, begging in the marketplace of Wei County. The people of the time called him Hempen Jacket. His speech was extraordinary, and his appearance was like someone mad; when he begged and received rice or grain, he would not eat it, but would scatter it on the thoroughfare, saying he was feeding the heavenly horses. Ji Ba, the Grand Administrator of Chaoxing, arrested him and sent him to Shi Hu. Prior to this, Fotudeng had said to Shi Hu: 'Two hundred li east of the capital, on a certain day of a certain month, an extraordinary person will be sent; do not kill him.' He arrived indeed on the expected date. Shi Hu spoke with him, and his words were entirely ordinary, except that he said: 'Your Majesty will end beneath a single-pillared hall.' Shi Hu did not understand these words and ordered him sent to Fotudeng. Hempen Jacket said to Fotudeng: 'Long ago we met in the Guanghe era, and suddenly here we are today. In the year of you or xu, the mysterious mandate will be received; the severed calendar will eventually reach its end. The metal will disintegrate and vanish into the earth; the border wastes cannot abide by it. To drive out and eliminate the traces of the fated span—nothing is more fine than to cease. The descendants and foliage are luxuriant, and what comes will amass for a time. At what time will the auspicious period arrive? Forever do I sigh over it.' Fotudeng said: 'The heavenly cycle revolves to its extremity; when obstruction comes, it will not withstand it. Nine woods and water will make for calamity; there is no art by which it may be pacified. Though the profound and wise remain in the world, none can restore what is destined to collapse. Long roaming in Jambudvīpa, one is endlessly perturbed by these troubles. Soon I shall ascend the cloud-surmounting abode, and meet within the spiritual roaming.' Fotudeng talked with Hempen Jacket all day, and no one could understand them. A eavesdropper caught only these few words, and upon calculating them, they seemed to discuss events hundreds of years hence. Shi Hu sent relay couriers on horseback to convey him back to his native county. Once outside the city, Hempen Jacket declined, saying he could walk on foot, and said: 'I have somewhere to stop by and cannot depart immediately; you may wait for me at the Hekou Bridge.' The messenger galloped off as instructed. Before reaching Hekou, Hempen Jacket was already on the bridge. Considering his pace, it was as if he were flying.