釋門自鏡錄 2.87

2.87

In Lufu Lane of Jiangning, there was a corrupt monk who loved gambling and squandered all his belongings, retaining only a bronze image of Maitreya Buddha about two feet tall. He sold it to a Muslim for three silver coins. At night, the Muslim carried the statue home and struck the Buddha's head with a large iron hammer; it was hard and unyielding, sending sparks flying. The Muslim said, 'I suppose the bronze at the crown is thick,' and proceeded to strike the abdomen. Maitreya suddenly opened his mouth and laughed out loud. The Muslim fell down in terror, kowtowing to beg for forgiveness. The next day, with incense, flowers, and music, he returned it to its original hermitage. The resident monk soon fled, contracted an evil disease, and died.