釋門自鏡錄 2.34

2.34

Shi Fafeng, whose secular surname was Zhu, was a native of Dunhuang. He traveled to Qiuci (Kucha) and renovated a monastery, managing all affairs thoroughly, so that at the time it was called Fafeng Monastery. Having long held exclusive charge of the monastery's duties, he gradually came to rely on his own merits and efforts; his disbursals and receipts severely lacked moderation. He willfully reduced and curtailed the monks' food so that it was insufficient. After a long time, he died and fell among the hungry ghosts. He was constantly in the monastery courtyard. After nightfall, he made the cries of a starving camel, calling out as he made the rounds of the rooms. His disciple Baohui heard it and sighed, saying: 'This is my master’s voice.' He then asked why he was like that. Fafeng said: 'Because I curtailed the monks' food provisions, I suffer the torment of a hungry ghost. The suffering is severe and unbearable; I hope you will rescue and deliver me.' The disciple widely performed vegetarian fasts and repentances on his behalf, and he was able to be reborn in a pure and superior place, and so on.