三寶感應要略錄 1.91

1.91

Gao Gou of Xingyang was already fifty years old. He was arrested for murder, his neck fettered in another prison, destined to receive death. His fellow prisoners said: "Strive to recite Guanyin together!" Gou said: "My crimes are extremely heavy; how can I be spared from receiving death?" His fellow prisoners urged him on, whereupon he aroused his aspiration for the first time, vowing to abandon evil and practice good, and to concentrate single-mindedly on Guanyin without distraction at any moment. If he were spared, he vowed to erect a five-story pagoda and give himself as a servant to make offerings to the saṅgha. Concentrating his mind for ten days, the fetters and shackles unlocked of themselves. The supervising officials were astonished and said to Gao Gou: "If the divine Buddha pities you, you should temporarily not die." On the day of execution, the sword was raised, but before it came down, the sword snapped and the blade broke. A memorial was submitted, and he received a pardon.