釋門自鏡錄 1.46

1.46

Daoxiu went forth into renunciation in his youth, devoted himself single-mindedly to study, and was universally praised as having divine talent. His disciples gathered like clouds, and he was an exemplary master of his time. There was a fellow student, Huiyi, who was several years younger, yet his transcendent awakening surpassed Daoxiu's. Upholding moral purity, his elevated discourse stood out from the crowd. Thereupon his renown shook the capital of Ye, and both clergy and laity looked up to him. He then came to open lectures at a monastery directly opposite Daoxiu. Daoxiu harbored jealousy in his heart and thought solely of humiliating him, but Huiyi's reputation grew ever higher, leaving Daoxiu no opportunity to speak against him. Daoxiu's fierce rage brought about disaster, and he was about to hatch an abnormal plot; but with guards and followers being numerous, in the end he found no opening. Later, he went outside the city with his disciples and rested beneath a tree. As Daoxiu lay asleep, a whirlwind suddenly arose furiously and enveloped Daoxiu's body; his two legs instantly transformed and merged into a serpent's tail. In this manner, it gradually rose up to his chest. Weeping and wailing, he said to his disciples: 'Because my evil intention burned ever more fiercely to harm Master Yi, the poisonous malice steamed internally and transformed me into a serpent's body. The karmic retribution being such, regret is of no avail! You may take the robes and belongings in my room to create merit on my behalf, and also apologize to Master Yi with donations so that he may rejoice.' Having finished speaking, he suddenly turned into a serpent twenty to thirty feet long. In an instant, hundreds of small snakes in the grass vied to welcome him, and he departed with them. When people far and near heard of this, there were none who did not grieve and sigh on his account.