弘贊法華傳 8.23

8.23

The layman Xie Zhizang was a man of Lantian in Yongzhou. Although living in a farming household, he constantly maintained the five precepts. Once, coming briefly to the county seat due to circumstance, he saw a monk lecturing on the Lotus Sūtra in a monastery; when the lecture reached the sixth fascicle on the merits of upholding the scripture with the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, he immediately resolved his mind, returned home, and recited and upheld the single sixth fascicle, never resting except for personal affairs. He wished in his heart to advance to the remaining fascicles, but living far in the rural fields, there was no one to instruct him. At first he wanted to leave home to seek a teacher, but his livelihood would be abandoned; day and night he contemplated meeting an enlightened teacher. After several years, he suddenly saw a Brahmin monk knock on his door, saying to Zang, "Do you have food? Give me a vegetarian meal." Zhizang rejoiced, and according to what his household had, he prepared vegetables and rice, offering it in accordance with Dharma. After the monk finished eating, he said to Zhizang, "If you wish to receive the Lotus Sūtra, bring the text." Zhizang rejoiced, finding his wish thoroughly fulfilled, and received the scripture from him; once he heard and received it, he never forgot it. When the transmission of the scripture was complete, the monk suddenly vanished. Zhizang felt deeply sorrowful, regretting that he had not recognized the spiritual being. After the master left, an extraordinary fragrance was scented for several days without ceasing.