神僧傳 3.32

3.32

Shi Sengda's secular surname was Li; he was a native of Shanggu. He renounced household life at the age of fifteen, and traveled to study in Northern Dai, making listening and practice his occupation. When he first began to build a mountain monastery and was about to enter the valley mouth, a tiger crouched before him. He then prayed, saying: 'I wish to build a monastery so that its merit may cover unseen spirits. If you permit this, please clear the way.' Having spoken, it immediately departed. When the monastery was completed, the assembly settled, and their duties organized, Sengda returned to the capital of Ye. At night, a deity appeared, wearing yellow garments. He bowed, knelt, and said: 'Your disciple is the Hu [spirit] of Mount Dai. The king and the three valleys are currently preparing offerings; we hope you will not need to return.' Sengda said: 'The benefit in the mountain is small; the benefit in the capital is great. This poor monk acts according to conditions; pray do not hinder me.' Another quiet night, someone pushed the door, calling herself the wife of the mountain deity, saying: 'During the day I had no leisure, so I have now come to pay my respects,' and offered a basket of rice cakes. Stepping forward, she repeated: 'Monks should not be partial; when paying homage to the Buddha, please also include your disciple's name.' Sengda replied: 'The cakes may be taken back; later, when paying homage to the Buddha, I shall include your name.' Thereupon, he ordered that during the general homage, her name be announced with a single bow. Sengda dispatched his disciple Daoshuang to read the Suvarṇaprabhāsa-sūtra for the mountain deity. After more than a month, a tiger came and carried off a dog. Hearing of this, Sengda said: 'This must be the little practitioner being indolent and not reading the sūtra for the dānapati.' Inquiring fully into the matter, [Daoshuang] indeed said: 'In recent days, I have only been reading the Vimalakīrti-sūtra.' Thereupon, Sengda burned incense, bowed to the Buddha, and announced: 'Although he chanted other sūtras yesterday, the merit also belongs to the dānapati. If there is spiritual discernment, release the dog to return.' By dawn, the dog returned; looking at its crown, there were marks where it had been bitten and carried. One day, feeling slightly unwell, he sat upright on a rope chair, his mouth chanting the Prajñā[-pāramitā], his physical appearance and breath calm and tranquil. He then passed away at Honggu Mountain Monastery at the age of eighty-two.