釋門自鏡錄 2.5

2.5

Shi Sengqun—it is not known who he was. Pure, poor, and maintaining his integrity, he ate vegetables and chanted scriptures. Later he lived on Mount Huo. The mountain stood solitary in the sea, and on top was a stone basin several zhang in diameter with six or seven chi of water, always flowing clear. According to an old tradition, it was the dwelling place of immortals, and drinking the water stopped hunger; thus he abstained from grain. Qun's hut was separated from the basin by a small ravine, and he always used a single log as a bridge, crossing it to draw water. Later, suddenly a duck with a broken wing spread its wings at the end of the bridge to peck for food. Qun wanted to raise his tin staff to push it aside, but he suddenly remembered that in his youth he had once broken a duck's wing. Knowing from this personal proof that this was the appearance of retribution, he stopped drinking water and passed away. On the verge of death, he recounted the matter in full to others, and that was all.