法華傳記 3.22

3.22

Shi Zhishi had the surname Wei, and was a native of Fuliu in Changshan, a distant descendant of Dao'an. At the age of seven he read books; upon reading them twice he could recite them, never needing a third time. He traveled to famous mountains to inquire about the Way, and at seventeen he left home. His scholastic pursuits were pure and lofty. Detesting the impermanence of the world, he avoided the crowds and hid among mountains and marshes, gathering grasses to serve as a ruyi scepter while lecturing on the Lotus Sūtra. The sky rained down fine flowers; alarmed, he suspected it was a demonic transformation, ceased lecturing, and returned to the monastic community. In a dream he was visited by a Dharma-revering yakṣa, who said: "Do not be indolent and abandon it! This was the devas raining flowers. Among all merits, none is supreme over causing people to listen to the Dharma. The Buddha praised the fiftieth rejoicer—how could you become indolent in the Path?" He spurred his resolve and lectured on the sūtra one hundred times. At that time, in a neighboring county, there was a recluse named Lin Da. While asleep, he suddenly saw officers and soldiers in red caps driving him along; Lin fled into Shi's lecture hall. The officers rode up to the hall gate on horseback, dismounted, and called to Lin: "Since you have entered the lecture hall, we release you!" Lin awoke with mixed grief and joy, and thereupon went to Master Shi's place to recount the circumstances in full. The assembly submitted to him in admiration. (Xinlu)