續高僧傳 26.71

26.71

Śramaṇa Falang was a native of Puzhou. In his studies, he covered the three piṭakas, especially discerning the Vinaya. His analysis of the divisions and classes of offenses never faltered under prestigious questioning. Moreover, his talent was balanced and upright; he tolerated no slight or insult. His judgments were firm and just, never showing partiality to the powerful. Later he resided at Shengguang Temple, dissecting and investigating the vinaya texts; whoever passed by his room felt an awe-struck reverence. In the second year of Renshou, an imperial decree summoned him to escort relics to Daxingguo Temple in Shanzhou, which was the birthplace of the late Emperor Wuyuan; hence the temple had been established and the pagoda built to requite that past connection. When he first entered the prefecture's borders, the three temples of Datong, Shanfa, and Yanye each emitted light at night, with no source known, illuminating the temples brightly without obstruction. In Shanfa Temple, three flowering trees were seen, distinct in form and color. On the second day of the fourth month, a bright light suddenly shone at night in Lingsheng Temple, and five-colored auspicious clouds coalesced into a single canopy, entirely turning purple; only when the sacred palanquin entered the city did the cloud canopy disperse. Furthermore, five-colored auspicious clouds entwined from the northwest and southeast, meeting and staying above the pagoda. When the pagoda foundation was excavated to a depth of five feet, an extraordinary bird resembling a myna was discovered; its color was exceedingly bluish-yellow. It strolled along the foundation, showing no fear when handled by people, and ate only yellow flowers, dying after three days. Additionally, a green stone was used as a reliquary, which suddenly emitted light and shadows, translucent within and without, revealing various miraculous portents. On both its east and west sides, twin trees appeared, beneath which water ripples formed. On the west side inside the reliquary, two bodhisattvas appeared, the southern one golden and the northern one silver, standing opposite each other. Moreover, two bodhisattvas were seated upon floral pedestals, each one foot tall, both radiating reddish-purple light. On the south side inside the reliquary, an image of a divine nun appeared, her palms joined facing west. On the western rim of the reliquary, a reclining Buddha was seen, lying on his right side, head to the north and facing west. Between the twin trees on the eastern outside of the reliquary, the previously dead bird appeared lying prostrate; after a moment it stood up. Above the bird were three golden flowers; the bird walked southwest until it reached beneath the reclining Buddha, where it stood motionless. All these luminous forms remained clearly visible from the hour of the serpent to the hour of the sheep. He ordered painters to depict them, and only after they were transferred onto silk and paper did they gradually fade away. When the day of internment arrived, clouds suddenly arose like smoke and mist, circular and shading the sun, resembling a chariot wheel with distinct cloud bands, like wheel spokes; the colors of the clouds were all reddish-purple. All people looked up at this sign, marveling at its rare occurrence. Once the burial was complete, the sky cleared and the clouds vanished without a trace. At that moment, outside the temple walls, banners and canopies were seen circling around; it was thought that others had come to offer support, but when inquiries were made after the event, not a trace was found. Lang rejoiced at these divine omens and promptly reported them to the throne. Later he returned to the capital and died of an illness.