景德傳燈錄 4.56

4.56

Chan Master Weizheng of Mount Zhongnan was a native of Pingyuan. His surname was Zhou. He received instruction from Dharma Master Quancheng at Yanhe Temple in his home prefecture, and attained the Dharma under Chan Master Puji of Mount Song. Having thoroughly resolved the true meaning, he entered Mount Taiyi, and students filled his room. During the Dahe era of the Tang, Emperor Wenzong had a fondness for clams. Officials along the sea had them delivered ahead of time by relay, wearing out the people. One day among the imperial dishes was one clam that could not be pried open. The Emperor, thinking it strange, burned incense and prayed over it. In a moment it transformed into the form of a bodhisattva, complete with the marks of an Indian ascetic. It was then placed in a golden-grained sandalwood box, covered with fine brocade, and bestowed upon Xingshan Temple, with orders for the monks to gaze upon and pay homage to it. The Emperor thereupon asked his court officials, "What sort of auspicious omen is this?" Someone said, "On Mount Taiyi there is Chan Master Weizheng, who deeply understands the Buddha Dharma and has broad learning and a strong memory." The Emperor then ordered him summoned and questioned him about the matter. The Master said, "Your subject has heard that things do not respond in vain; this is merely to arouse Your Majesty's faith. Therefore a sūtra says: 'To those who should be delivered in this body, he immediately manifests this body to preach the Dharma for them.'" The Emperor said, "The bodhisattva's body has already appeared, yet I have not heard the preaching of the Dharma." The Master said, "Does Your Majesty regard this as ordinary or extraordinary? Do you believe it or not believe it?" The Emperor said, "It is a rare and wondrous matter; I deeply believe it." The Master said, "Your Majesty has already finished hearing the preaching of the Dharma." At that time the Emperor's heart was joyful, having obtained what he had never had before. He decreed that every temple in the realm should erect a statue of Guanyin to respond to this extraordinary blessing. He then detained the Master in the inner court chapel. After repeatedly declining to remain in order to enter the mountains, he was again decreed to reside at Shengshou Temple. When Emperor Wuzong ascended the throne, the Master suddenly entered Mount Zhongnan to live in seclusion. Someone asked him the reason, and the Master said, "I am avoiding a feud." Later he died in his mountain hermitage. His age was eighty-seven. At his cremation, forty-nine grains of relics were collected. On the fourth day of the ninth month in the third year of the Huichang era, they were enshrined in a stupa.