三寶感應要略錄 2.72

2.72

Long ago, within the borders of North India, there was a small kingdom called Boluoruo. North of its royal city stood a great rocky mountain, its walls rising a thousand fathoms, with sheer precipices of ten thousand cubits. Halfway up its side was a cave concealing secret teachings. Every year in the seventh month, numerous holy ones gathered there; furthermore, several thousand apes and monkeys held scripture rolls and brought them out to sun. When the weather was clear and bright, one could faintly glimpse them. Having no steps to ascend, one watched them amidst the clouds and wild geese. It happened that a violent wind suddenly arrived and blew down a single Sanskrit box. A woodcutter at the time picked it up. Beholding this extraordinary thing, he at once presented it to the king. Having received it, the king obtained what had never been seen before. When that day turned to dusk, a great ape came seeking this scripture. When for a moment it was not returned, it was about to throw its body down and harm itself. With skillful means, [the king] earnestly pleaded time and again, saying, "The scripture box shall be returned at once; I only wish to copy it." Seeing that the king's words were sincere, it then agreed, accommodating him and saying, "Just receive and copy it beforehand; in three days I shall come back to retrieve it." The king then divided [the task] among many hands, and having finished copying it by the deadline, returned it. The king and the crown prince alone transmitted the original copy to each other, not letting it leak outside. Recently, a great yoga-ācārya of Central India traveled across distant mountains and rivers seeking this secret treasure. At that time, the king saw that the ācārya was extraordinary, and joyfully transmitted and bestowed this scripture upon him.