釋門自鏡錄 2.36

2.36

釋惠果。豫州人。少蔬素為業。誦法華經。甞如廁。廁前見一鬼。致敬於果云。前身出家作維那。為觸穢淨厨。墮在鬼中。常噉糞穢。法師德素高明慈悲拯濟願示除苦之方。又云。昔住此寺東行第三房。庭前有柿樹。當時埋錢三千。在此樹下。願取為福。言訖不見。果告眾。同掘得之。為造法華經。并設齋後夢見鬼。報云。生天。闔眾聞之。莫不誡懼。

Shi Huiguo was a native of Yuzhou. From his youth, he took a vegetarian diet as his practice and recited the Lotus Sūtra. He once went to the latrine and saw a ghost in front of it, who paid homage to Guiguo and said: 'In my previous life, I renounced the household and served as karmadāna. Because I defiled the pure kitchen with filth, I fell among the ghosts, constantly eating feces and filth. Master, your virtue is inherently lofty and bright, full of compassion to rescue and aid; please show me a way to eliminate my suffering.' He also said: 'Formerly I lived in the third room going east in this monastery. In the courtyard in front there is a persimmon tree. At that time I buried three thousand coins beneath this tree. Please take them to make merit.' Having spoken, he vanished. Guiguo informed the assembly, and together they dug and found them. They produced copies of the Lotus Sūtra on his behalf and offered a vegetarian feast. Later he saw the ghost in a dream, who reported: 'I have been born in heaven.' When the entire assembly heard this, there was none who was not admonished and fearful.