弘贊法華傳 8.16

8.16

There was a layman named Yang Nanji, a fellow county man. From youth he was resolutely upright and did not mingle in worldly socializing. Approaching the age of fifty (knowing the Mandate of Heaven), he first sought the marvelous scripture. Hearing that Facheng possessed the Way, he served him as a master. Cheng then transmitted the Lotus Sūtra to him, and within a few months, he achieved complete fluency. Striving with diligence to study and practice, he forgot fatigue day and night; although he was involved in numerous affairs, his voice did not stop. Later, he died suddenly without any illness. After his death he was cremated, but his skull and tongue alone remained intact. Cheng collected them, stored them in a stone casket, placed it in the Lotus Hall, and made periodic offerings. He repeatedly heard the sound of recitation from inside the casket, vibrating the stone casket with words and phrases completely clear. Those who heard it felt awe and respect, knowing the power of receiving and upholding [the sūtra].