神僧傳 2.36

2.36

The monk Baotong diligently cultivated pure conduct and constantly chanted the Dhāraṇī Chapter of the Lotus Sūtra, having minor spiritual marvels. At that time, in Yangqiao Village, the wife of a Zhao family was bewitched by a spirit. They invited Tong to recite incantations. When Tong arrived, the spirit revealed its form. Tong addressed it, saying, “Since you reside as a spirit in this village, you ought to promote blessings. Why do you instead bewitch human beings?” The spirit said, “It is not my doing; it is merely a minor demon of the lower ranks.” He then summoned the minor demon before him and punished it. Zhao's wife was cured as a result. Subsequently, the illness of Zhao's wife flared up again, singing and chanting all night long, and they informed Tong once more. When Tong went again, he saw the demon that had been punished standing before the sickbed. Tong said, “You were already warned and punished previously, how dare you return? If you do not leave, I shall chant an incantation to split your head into seven pieces, like the branch of an arjaka tree.” The demon kowtowed and begged for mercy, saying, “Do not trouble yourself with the incantation.” From then on the illness was cured, and the demon never returned.