續高僧傳 25.54

25.54

釋洪獻。鄴人。少履道門早明律檢。聽涉勞頓。遂兩目俱暗。住相州大慈寺。既無前導常處房中。禮誦為先不輟晨夕。開皇十四年。忽感一神。自稱般若檀越來從受戒。數致談話。同房僧綱禪師。上堂中食。般若乃將綱一襆衣來嚫獻云。勞陳法事。利益不少。輒奉衣物。願必受之。獻納于櫃中。後綱食還怪失衣襆。搜求寺內。乃於獻所得之。具以告語。綱終不信。神遂發撤綱房衣物被案。狼藉滿庭。竿扇秤尺摧折數段。神於空中語曰。僧綱不好設齋會供養三寶。我會禍汝未央。獻雖目冥乃與般若言及事同目覩。神語獻曰。伴眾極多悉在紫陌河上。惟三十人相隨。可令寺家設食。眾僧便於西院會之。神曰。大好飲食。勞費師等。雖然僧綱不赴齋供。後會使知。綱無奈之何。恐迫不已。便私費財物營諸齋福。般若乃曰。既能行福。今相放矣。仍以絹兩匹付獻云。當以一匹。施大眾一匹贈綱師。獻對眾受得具皆聞見。仍依付領。於後彌勤本業。遂卒於所住。

Śramaṇa Hongxian was a native of Ye. In his youth he entered the gates of the Way and early on understood the discipline of the Vinaya. Exhausted from traveling and listening [to teachings], both of his eyes went dark. He resided at Daci Temple in Xiangzhou. Lacking a guide, he constantly remained in his room, giving priority to worship and recitation without ceasing day or night. In the fourteenth year of Kaihuang, he was suddenly moved by a spirit who called himself the dānapati Prajñā, who came to receive the precepts from him and frequently engaged in conversation. Dhyāna Master Senggang, who shared his room, went up to the hall for the midday meal. Prajñā then took a bundle of Gang's clothing and offered it to Hongxian, saying: 'You have wearied yourself presenting Dharma services, bringing considerable benefit. I venture to present these clothes and items, and pray that you will certainly accept them.' Xian placed them into a cabinet. Later, Gang returned from the meal, was surprised to find the bundle of clothing missing, and searched inside the temple. He then found it at Xian's place. [Xian] fully informed him of what happened, but Gang ultimately did not believe it. The spirit thereupon dismantled the clothes, items, and bedding in Gang's room, scattering them all over the courtyard, and broke poles, fans, scales, and rulers into several pieces. The spirit spoke from mid-air: 'Senggang dislikes arranging feast gatherings to make offerings to the Triratna; I will surely bring endless misfortune upon you.' Though blind, Xian spoke with Prajñā and experienced matters as though seeing with his eyes. The spirit said to Xian: 'My companions are exceedingly numerous, all on the Zimo River; only thirty people accompany me. You may have the temple prepare food.' The assembly of monks then met them in the western compound. The spirit said: 'Excellent food and drink! It has been an expense for you masters. Although Senggang did not attend the feast offering, later encounters will make him understand.' Gang had no choice; continuously intimidated, he spent his personal wealth to arrange various feasts for merit. Prajñā then said: 'Since you can perform merits, I now let you off.' He still gave two bolts of silk to Xian, saying: 'You should give one bolt to the great assembly and present one bolt to Master Gang.' Xian received them before the assembly, and all witnessed it. He handed them over accordingly. Thereafter he became even more diligent in his original practice, and passed away at his dwelling.