神僧傳 7.40

7.40

Upādhyāya Pozhaoduo [Broken Stove Fallen] of Mount Song lived as a recluse on Mount Song. On the mountain was a shrine that was very efficacious; it housed only a single stove, and sacrifices were offered there without a single day missed. The Master entered the shrine, struck the stove with his staff, and said, "This is merely a composite of clay and tile; whence comes its sanctity, from where does its spirit arise?" He struck it three more times, and the stove toppled, broke, and fell down. In an instant, a person dressed in blue bowed before the Master and said, "I was originally the god of this stove, having long suffered this karmic retribution. Thanks to the Master preaching the Dharma of non-arising, I have gained release from this life, and come specially to pay homage and give thanks." He bowed twice and departed. A short while later, the disciples asked the Master, "What sūtra's meaning did the stove god obtain that he was able to be born in heaven?" The Master said, "I only said to him that it was merely a composite of clay and tile, with no other principle for his sake." The assembly was silent. After a long while, the Master said, "Do you understand?" The assembly said, "We do not understand." The Master said, "Why do you not understand the intrinsically existing nature?" The monks then bowed. The Master said, "It is broken! It has fallen!" Thereupon, the assembly was greatly awakened to the profound purport.