續高僧傳 28.20

28.20

Shi Fatai was a native of Longshan County in Meizhou, with the secular surname Lü. At first, he was a Daoist master for more than ten years; midway, he suddenly awakened of himself, turning his mind toward correct enlightenment, and thereupon shaved his head. He began to recite the Lotus Sūtra, and soon became fluent in it. He then diligently transcribed a copy of the Lotus Sūtra, which frequently manifested miraculous omens. Wishing to take it to Yizhou for mounting, he had a man carry it on a shoulder-pole: on one end, a basket held two thousand copper coins, with the scripture bundled and placed atop the coins; on the other end were clothes. When the porter walked to a place called Zuo Bridge, the bridge suddenly broke. Tai was behind him, and the man carrying the load plunged into the water. The man was able to float out, but the load sank and was not to be seen. Tai beat his chest on the bank and wailed aloud, saying: "Are not money and clothes trivial matters? How could I bear to let the scripture drown!" He immediately shouted aloud: "If someone can fish it out for me, I will reward him with two strings of cash!" At that time, a man heard this, stripped off his clothes, and dived into the water; after searching several times, coming out and going in, he retrieved the money and the bundle of clothes, but did not get the scripture. Tai wept even more bitterly, pacing up and down the bank. Gazing at a small islet, he saw a bundle there and ordered someone to retrieve it; it was indeed the scripture. Borne aloft by grass and trees, it had no wet spots whatsoever. Tai was overjoyed and immediately offered the two thousand coins to the man who had dredged the river, saying, [though the man replied:] "The Dharma master wailed more bitterly than for the death of his parents; therefore I searched urgently for you, not out of greed for the disciple's money. Although I am a hired laborer, I also understand karmic recompense. Please take this money to cover the cost of the mounting." Having spoken, he slipped away; when [Tai] wished to speak with him further, he was already far away. Tai reached Chengdu and had it mounted, using sandalwood for the rollers, with wrappers, ribbons, cases, and caskets. He brought it back to his home temple to enshrine in a separate place; night after night there was an extraordinary fragrance. Tai diligently recited and maintained it, once every night. At that time, Dharma Master Biao was lecturing at that temple; wishing to read at night, he constantly resented that Tai's noise disturbed his mind. Intending to go ask him to lower his voice slightly, he then saw that in front of Tai was a great assembly of people, all kneeling on both knees with palms joined. Biao retreated, dripping with sweat, and immediately moved his dwelling. Tai died at the age of eighty.