法華傳記 4.40

4.40

During the reign of Emperor Wucheng of the Northern Qi, on the eastern side of Kanshan in Bingzhou, someone digging the earth found a patch of soil that was yellowish-white in color, different from the surroundings. Upon searching, he found an object shaped like two human lips, inside of which was a tongue, fresh and crimson red. When this matter was reported, the Emperor inquired among all the monks, but none could explain it. The Great Controller of Śramaṇas, Fashang, memorialized: 'This is the retribution of the non-decay of the six sense faculties of one who upholds the Lotus Sūtra. Could it be a miraculous verification of completing one thousand recitations?' The Emperor then decreed to the Secretariat Drafter Gao Zhen: 'You are a person of sincere faith; go yourself and look at it. There will surely be a numinous marvel. It is fitting to move and place it in a pure site, hold a vegetarian feast, and make offerings.' Receiving the decree, Zhen went there, gathered śramaṇas who upheld the Lotus Sūtra, held an incense burner, kept the pure fast, circled around, and incanted: 'The Bodhisattva's parinirvāṇa has been distant in time. As the Semblance Dharma is current, for those who uphold it without error, please manifest a sympathetic response!' Just as his voice began to sound, these lips and tongue stirred and moved together at once; although no sound was produced, it was just like chanting and reading. All those who witnessed it together had their hair stand on end. Zhen reported the condition to the throne. An edict was issued to send a stone casket to store it and transfer it to a mountain chamber, so it is said.