弘贊法華傳 8.10

8.10

釋法智。宣城人也。少小出家。戒行勤苦。不交俗務。隱居山林。清淨求志。誦法華一部。曾無懈癈。兼復聲韻朗徹。音句分明。每常唱誦。人皆樂聞。時人。呼為智法華。貞觀年初。居蔣山上定林寺。甞一夜。誦至寶塔品。其時風雨晦冥。震雷大至。師誦念不息。有諸房眾僧。皆出外觀雷雨。每因電光流昭。即見一寶塔。在虛空中。有大眾恭敬圍繞。寺僧驚異。咸共觀之。至雲雨晴霽。乃不復出。眾共稱讚。知是持經者所感致也。

Śramaṇa Fazhi was a native of Xuancheng. He went forth from home at an early age; his observance of the precepts was rigorous and ascetic, and he did not meddle in worldly affairs. Dwelling in seclusion in mountain forests, he pursued his aspirations in purity, reciting the complete Lotus Sūtra without ever neglecting or abandoning it. Moreover, his voice was clear and penetrating, with distinct tones and phrases; whenever he chanted and recited, people all took delight in hearing it. The people of the time called him 'Lotus Zhi.' At the beginning of the Zhenguan era, he resided at Upper Dinglin Temple on Mount Jiang. One night, while reciting to the Stūpa Chapter, there was dark rain and wind, accompanied by great peals of thunder. The Master recited and chanted without ceasing. The monks from various quarters all came out to watch the thunder and rain; whenever lightning flashed across the sky, they saw a jeweled stūpa suspended in the air, with a great multitude respectfully circumambulating it. The temple monks were astonished and gazed upon it together. Only when the clouds and rain cleared did it cease to appear. The multitude praised him together, knowing this was brought about by the resonance of the sūtra keeper.