神僧傳 9.61

9.61

Vinaya Master Lingzhi rebuilt the Wutai Ordination Platform in Mingzhou. When it was completed, there was an old man of transcendent spirit and bearing, with snow-white eyebrows and beard. He stepped forward and addressed [the master], saying, 'This disciple has three jewels to present as congratulations for the completion of the platform.' Having spoken, he suddenly vanished. The jewels were thereupon placed in the centre of the platform, and luminous manifestations repeatedly appeared. Later, the platform master assembled ten preceptors to broadly open the ordination rites. Past midnight after two days, a monk mounted the platform. Suddenly he saw the light of the jewels shining completely through to the outside, while within appeared the youth Sudhana. The monk then cried out in surprise. The assembly arose to look at it, and all surrounded it in homage. From then on, every night the monastic assembly extended even greater devotion and sincerity. And what the jewels manifested were sometimes a golden Buddha, sometimes a six-armed Avalokiteśvara, sometimes purple bamboo and azure willows, sometimes rare trees and bizarre rocks, or kalaviṅkas flying and dancing to the left and right, or Candana (the name of an elder), or dragon spirits presenting jewels. The divine transformations were not merely one; all who saw or heard of them called them rare.