弘贊法華傳 5.15

5.15

荊州有比丘尼。姊妹二人。失其名諱。同誦法花。深厭形器。俱欲捨身。節約衣食。鈎崇苦行。服諸香油。漸斷粒食。後頓絕穀。唯噉香蜜。精力所被。神志鮮爽。周告道俗。剋日燒身。以貞觀三年二月八日夜。於荊州大街。置二高塵。乃以蠟布纏身至頂。唯出面目。眾聚如山。歌贊雲會。二女咸誦法花。至藥王品。其姊先以火炷妹頂。妹又以火炷姊頂。清夜兩炬。一時同耀。焰下至眼。聲相轉明。漸下鼻口。方乃歇滅。恰至明晨。合坐洞舉。一時火化。骸骨摧朽。二舌俱存。合眾欣嗟。為起高塔。

In Jingzhou, there were two bhikṣuṇīs who were sisters; their names have been lost. Together they recited the Lotus Sūtra, feeling deep revulsion for their physical vessels, and both wished to renounce their bodies. Restricting their food and clothing, they strove to elevate ascetic practice, consuming various fragrant oils and gradually cutting off grain food. Later they abruptly cut off all grain, eating only fragrant honey. Sustained by their spiritual vigor, their minds remained fresh and lucid. They made announcements all around to monastics and laypeople, setting a date to burn their bodies. On the night of the eighth day of the second month in the third year of Zhenguan, they erected two high pyres on the main thoroughfare of Jingzhou. They wrapped their bodies with waxed cloth up to their crowns, exposing only their faces and eyes. The multitude gathered like a mountain, chanting praises as clouds converge. Both women recited the Lotus Sūtra up to the "Bhaiṣajyarāja Chapter." The elder sister first touched a torch to the younger sister's crown, and the younger sister in turn touched a torch to the elder sister's crown. In the clear night, the two torches shone together at once. As the flames descended to their eyes, their voices became increasingly distinct; only when the fire reached their noses and mouths did the sounds gradually cease. Just as dawn arrived, their seated bodies collapsed completely, cremated by the fire at once. Although their bones were ruined and decayed, both tongues remained intact. The entire assembly rejoiced and sighed in admiration, and erected a high stūpa for them.