弘贊法華傳 7.26

7.26

Shi Xuanxiu, whose clan and place of origin are unknown, left home while young and resided at Suihua Temple in Huangzhou. By nature pure, prudent, gentle, and respectful, he took constant recitation of the Lotus Sūtra as his aspiration. Often feeling subtle anomalies, he did not consider them extraordinary. Once, during the sweltering summer heat, his companions sought the cool and sent for Xiu to come, wishing to converse and joke with him. When they reached the front of his room, they saw only solemn guards and towering people and horses; frightened, they returned to report this. Going together to look, it was just as before, no different. Moving to the back door, the company was even more numerous; looking up into the sky, it was packed without limit, many riding elephants and horses, a mingling of ghosts and spirits. They realized this was his spiritual resonance, so they dropped their intent and returned. The next morning they apologized with shame, and his companions ceased their intrusions. Xiu devoted himself solely to this practice, and passed away at the temple at the end of the Sui dynasty.