神僧傳 6.34

6.34

英禪師。居西京法海寺。有異人來謁曰。弟子知有水陸齋可以利益幽明。自梁武歿後因循不行。今大覺寺有吳僧義濟藏此儀文。願師往求。以來月十五於山北寺如法修設。苟釋狴牢敢不知報。英公尋詣義濟。得儀文以歸即以所期日於山北寺修設。次日曛暮向者異人與十數輩來謝曰。弟子即秦莊襄王也。又指其徒曰。此范睢穰侯白起王翦張儀陳軫。皆秦臣也。咸坐本罪幽囚陰府。大夜冥冥無能救護。昔梁武帝於金山寺設此齋時。前代紂王之臣皆免所苦。弟子爾時亦暫息苦。然以獄情未決不得出離。今蒙吾師設齋。弟子與此徒輩。并列國諸侯眾等皆乘善力將生人間。慮世異國殊故此來謝。言訖遂滅。自是儀文布行天下作大利益。

Dhyāna Master Ying resided at Fahai Monastery in the Western Capital. An extraordinary person came to visit him and said: "This disciple knows that there is the Water and Land Ritual, which can benefit the living and the dead. Since Emperor Wu of Liang passed away, it has been neglected and not performed. Now at Dajue Monastery there is a monk from Wu named Yiji who preserves this liturgical text. We pray that the Master will go and seek it, and on the fifteenth of next month perform and arrange it according to the Dharma at Shanbei Monastery. If we are released from prison, how could we dare not repay you?" Master Ying soon went to Yiji, obtained the liturgical text, and returned; on the appointed date, he performed and arranged it at Shanbei Monastery. The next day at dusk, the former extraordinary person, together with over a dozen companions, came to thank him, saying: "This disciple is King Zhuangxiang of Qin." He then pointed to his companions and said: "These are Fan Ju, the Marquis of Rang, Bai Qi, Wang Jian, Zhang Yi, and Chen Zhen; all were ministers of Qin. All, because of their own crimes, were confined in the underworld; in the dark, long night, none could rescue or protect them. Formerly, when Emperor Wu of Liang arranged this feast at Jinshan Monastery, the ministers of King Zhou of the preceding era were all freed from their suffering. This disciple at that time also briefly rested from suffering, but because the case in the prison was not yet resolved, I could not attain release. Now, receiving our Master's arrangement of the feast, this disciple together with these companions, as well as the multitude of feudal lords of various states, will all mount this good power and be born among humans. Fearing that eras and states will differ, we have come here to express our thanks." Having finished speaking, they suddenly vanished. From then on, the liturgical text was disseminated throughout the realm, producing great benefit.