弘贊法華傳 5.17

5.17

Shi Huitong was a native of Yushuchuan in Wannian of Yongzhou. In his youth, he took delight in the discipline of the Way and roamed among forests and springs; ascetic practices and precepts were what he held dear. He went to the Baolin Valley on Mount Zhongnan, living in seclusion and pursuing his studies. He read the Lotus Sūtra, and when he reached the "Bhaiṣajyarāja Chapter," he rejoiced in renouncing his body. Secretly accumulating firewood, he vowed that he would carry it out. On a quiet night in the late years of the Zhenguan era, he piled up wood in the forest to make a cave-like pyre. Reciting up to the "Bhaiṣajyarāja Chapter," he ordered the fire to be set. The wind stirred and the flames burst forth, smoke and fire both blazing vigorously. Seated tall and upright, his reciting voice continued as before. Soon after, toward the southwest, a great white light was seen flowing into the mass of fire, and only then did his body fall over. By dawn, both body and fire were entirely extinguished. They thereupon collected his remaining bones, built a white stūpa for him, and carved an inscription to preserve his memory.