三寶感應要略錄 2.122

2.122

In the renzi year, the first year of the Tianbao era of the Tang, five kingdoms—the Western Fan, Taishi, Kang, and others—came to invade the protectorate of Anxi. On the eleventh day of the second month of that year, a memorial was submitted requesting troops. Xuanzong decreed the dispatch of an army; but calculating the distance at over ten thousand li, it would take months to arrive, so how could it rescue them immediately? A great minister reported: "For now, Your Majesty might issue a decree inquiring of Tripiṭaka Master Amoghavajra." In accordance with the memorial, the Emperor decreed an invocation of the Heavenly King. To deliver the relief, the Emperor held an incense burner, and Amoghavajra recited the dhāraṇī of the Sutra of Benevolent Kings Protecting the State fourteen times. The Emperor suddenly saw about five hundred divine beings wearing armor and helmets and bearing halberds and shields appear before the palace hall. The Emperor asked the Tripiṭaka Master in surprise, and he replied: "This is Vaiśravaṇa's second prince, Jian, commanding troops according to Your Majesty's will to rescue the city of Anxi, and he has come to take his leave." In the fourth month of that year, Anxi memorialized: "From the eleventh day of the second month onward, thirty li northeast of the city amid gloomy clouds and mist, there were divine beings over ten feet tall, all clad in golden armor. At the hour of the rooster (5–7 p.m.), drums and horns sounded loudly, the sound shaking for three hundred li, and the earth shook and mountains crumbled for two days. The five kingdoms including Daishi and Kang broke and fled in rout at that moment. Among their tents, golden-haired rats gnawed through the strings of bows and crossbows and all weapons, rendering them entirely unusable. Turning to look at the city gate tower, there was the Radiant Heavenly King manifesting his form, visible to everyone. We respectfully present a sketch of the Heavenly King's likeness."