法華傳記 5.26

5.26

The Director of the Chancellery Cen Wenben was a native of Jiangling. In his youth he had faith in the Buddha, and constantly contemplated and recited the Universal Gate Chapter of the Lotus Sūtra. He once took a boat, and in the middle of the Wu River the boat was wrecked and the passengers all died. Wenben was submerged in the water, when he heard someone say: "Only be mindful of the Buddha and you will surely not die." This was said three times. Soon, following the waves, he was swept ashore, and thereby escaped. Later, he set out a vegetarian feast in Jiangling, and the monks gathered at his home. There was a guest monk who lingered alone behind the others, and said to Wenben: "The realm is just now falling into disorder; fortunately you will not take part in its calamity, and in the end you will encounter great peace, wealth, and honor." Having spoken, he hurried out. Soon afterwards, as Wenben ate by himself, he found two grains of śarīra in his bowl. Later it indeed turned out just as he had said. (Wenben himself related this to Tang Lin.)