神僧傳 5.34

5.34

Chan Master Wuxiang of Xiangzhong Temple in Fuzhou was not a native of Bashu, and no one knew where he came from. He suddenly arrived at the mountain temple, merely conforming to the multitude, no different from ordinary people. The temple was located on the upper reaches of Fuzhou, north of the Great River. By the cliffside, there was an inscription about five feet square; the characters were as large as a palm and completely illegible. Below it were Buddha footprints, nine feet apart and about three feet long, treading on the rock as though it were mud, which monastics and laypeople revered. Once, when Wuxiang crossed the water to return after a midday meal, there was no boat. He placed his bowl in the water and said, "Why do I always carry you? You can cross the water yourself." He then took a plantain leaf, laid it upon the water, stood upon it, and crossed over. The bowl followed behind him, reaching the bank in an instant. At the time, woodcutters saw this. When Wuxiang realized he had been seen, he took his leave and departed. His disciples pleaded with him to stay, but he would not. Reaching the water, he boarded a boat; though everyone bowed and pleaded, they did not give him oars or poles. He simply held the gunwale of the boat, crossed the water straightaway, and walked away without looking back. When they immediately sent people to pursue him, no one could discern where he was.