三寶感應要略錄 3.27

3.27

During the Jin dynasty, there was Dai Kui, whose courtesy name was Andao, of the state of Qiao. Kui's second son was Dai Yong, whose courtesy name was Zhongruo. His plain demeanor was profound and tranquil, and he was elegantly fond of the hills and gardens. Having inherited esoteric truth, he also succeeded to [his father's] artistic skill. Whenever Kui fashioned an image, they would deliberate together. Jiang Yi of Jiyang was friends with Yong from youth. Yi once entrusted Yong to make an image of Avalokiteśvara. He applied his utmost effort and deep reflection, wishing to make it consummate in beauty, yet the major and minor marks were not roundly accomplished, and after years it was not finished. Later, he dreamed that someone told him: 'Jiang Yi has no affinity with Avalokiteśvara; it may be changed to Maitreya Bodhisattva.' Dai immediately stayed his hand and sent an urgent letter to inform Jiang. Before it was dispatched, Jiang's letter had already arrived; both had had the sympathetic dream on the same night, and the words and matter matched. Dai rejoiced at the spiritual connection, and immediately changed it to Maitreya. Thereupon, as soon as his hand was released, it turned into an exquisite work; without pausing for reflection at all, the radiant countenance was round and complete, and in an instant it was finished. Those with understanding praised the unerring precision of the causes and conditions of sympathetic realization.