華嚴經傳記 4.13

4.13

In the kingdom of Khotan there was a novice monk named Prajñāmiga [?]. He observed the precepts and always recited the Avataṃsaka Sūtra as his constant practice. As the years passed, he repeatedly experienced auspicious omens. Once, two men suddenly arrived at his place, bowed, inquired after him, and stood by his side with palms joined. The novice, finding their appearance unusual, asked where they had come from. They then pointed with their fingers toward the sky and replied, 'We disciples reside right up there.' They then led the novice to a secluded spot and secretly said to him, 'The gods have dispatched us disciples to respectfully invite the Dharma Master.' The novice was frightened and bewildered without end. The gods said, 'Please give rise to a mind of compassion and do not be afraid. We ask the master to close his eyes.' The novice reluctantly complied. He was then carried by these gods up to heaven, where he saw palatial towers that were magnificent and exceptionally brilliant. The lord of heaven knelt and requested, saying, 'The gods are currently battling the asuras and have repeatedly been defeated. We now trouble the Dharma Master to recite the Avataṃsaka Sūtra and lead the heavenly host, hoping to rely on the power of the Dharma to enable our heavenly army to overcome those asuras.' The novice complied with his request: mounting a heavenly jeweled chariot and holding heavenly banners, his mind dwelt on the subtle and wondrous Avataṃsaka scripture as he led the heavenly hosts to face their formidable enemy. When the asuras saw him, they naturally scattered in rout. After they had retreated, the gods were overjoyed and all said, 'Whatever the Dharma Master desires, we shall grant it.' The novice said, 'I seek nothing else; I only wish for unexcelled bodhi.' The gods bowed and apologized, saying, 'Such a great vow of the Master is truly beyond our power. We wonder what else the Dharma Master might seek?' He replied, 'Nothing else is my wish.' After a short time, they escorted him back to his native land. All his robes were permeated with heavenly incense, intensely fragrant, which never faded throughout his life. Several years later, he lay on his right side and passed away without illness, stating himself that he had attained rebirth in a pure Buddha-land. On the fourth day of the second month of the first year of the Yongchang reign era, the Tripiṭaka Master Indraprajñā of Khotan personally told this to the Śramaṇa Xianshou at the Eastern Temple of Weiguo in the Divine Capital, saying, 'Thirty-five years have passed since this event.'