法華傳記 10.14

10.14

貞觀之初。荊州有比丘尼。姊妹同誦法華。深厭形器。俱欲捨身。節約衣食。欽崇苦行。服諸香油。漸斷粒食。後頓絕穀。推噉香蜜。精力所被。神志鮮爽。周告道俗。剋日燒身。以貞觀三年二月八日。於荊州大街。置二高座。乃以蠟布纏身至頂。惟出面目。眾聚如山。歌讚雲會。誦至燒處。其姊先以火柱妹頂請妹又以火柱姊頂清夜兩炬。一時同耀。焰下至眼。聲相轉明。漸下鼻口。方乃歇滅。恰至明晨。合坐洞舉。一時火化骸骨摧朽。二舌俱存合眾欣嗟。為起高塔。

At the beginning of the Zhenguan era, in Jingzhou there were two bhikṣuṇīs, biological sisters, who recited the Lotus Sūtra together. Deeply loathing their physical vessels, both wished to relinquish their bodies. They curtailed their clothing and food, revering ascetic practices. Ingesting various fragrant oils, they gradually ceased eating grains, and later stopped all cereals completely, taking only incense and honey. Sustained by their spiritual vigor, their spirit and resolve were clear and bright. They announced to monastics and laypeople that on an appointed day they would burn their bodies. On the eighth day of the second month in the third year of Zhenguan, they set up two high seats on the main street of Jingzhou, wrapped their bodies in waxed cloth up to their crowns, exposing only their faces and eyes. The crowd gathered like a mountain, with hymns of praise convening like clouds. Reciting up to the passage on self-immolation, the elder sister first placed a firebrand upon the younger sister's crown, requesting that the younger sister likewise place a firebrand upon her own crown. In the clear night, the two torches shone together simultaneously. As the flames descended to their eyes, their voices became ever clearer; only when the fire descended to their noses and mouths did they cease. By the dawn, the pyre and seats were totally consumed, transformed by fire at once, their skeletal remains crumbling to dust, yet both their tongues remained intact. The entire assembly rejoiced and marveled, erecting a tall stūpa for them.