神僧傳 4.9

4.9

As for Ācārya Xiang, none knew whence he came. He stayed at a monastery on Mount Qingcheng in Yizhou. According to local custom, on the third day of the third month the people always went up the mountain on excursions, mostly bringing along wine and meat to indulge in carousing. Xiang repeatedly admonished them, but they did not cease. Later, on the third month, when they gathered as before, Xiang had people dig a pit about one zhang square. He suddenly said, "You dānapatis have always drunk and eaten by yourselves, never giving any to Xiang. Today I must have a meal!" Everyone vied to offer him meats and wine; as he received them, he consumed them all, as if filling a vast chasm. When evening came, he said, "I am thoroughly drunk and sated; help me to the pit, lest I foul the ground." Reaching the pit, he opened his mouth and vomited profusely: pheasant meat came out from his mouth and could fly and call at once; mutton came out from his mouth and could run and gallop at once. Wine and meat poured out in disorder, about to fill the pit; fish slices, geese, and ducks swam and crisscrossed one another. The assembly was all astonished and sighing, and vowed to cut off slaughtering. From then on, wine and meat were forever banned from being brought up the mountain. Such was Xiang's moral influence. Later, because Master Baozhi sent a message to him, he passed away at the monastery. When his disciples prepared a tomb and were about to inter him, they wondered at the coffin being extremely light. Upon opening it, they saw only an armrest and a staff.