三寶感應要略錄 3.35

3.35

In the central vihāra of the Solitary Hill in the country of Magadha, there was a statue of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara. Although its dimensions were small, its awe-inspiring divine presence was solemn; its hand held a lotus flower, and its crown bore an image of the Buddha. There were often several people who fasted and focused their minds to seek to see the Bodhisattva, for seven days, fourteen days, or even a month. Those who achieved a sympathetic response saw the Bodhisattva's wondrous physical marks, dignified and shining with awe-inspiring brilliance, emerge from the statue to comfort and instruct them. Formerly, the king of Siṃhala in the South Sea, looking into a mirror in the clear morning, could not see his own body, but instead saw atop a solitary hill in a tāla forest in the country of Magadha this statue of the Bodhisattva. The king was deeply moved and joyful, and drew an image to search for it. When he arrived at this hill, it truly matched [what he saw]; he therefore erected a vihāra and promoted all kinds of offerings. Thereafter, the offerings of kings continued without interruption. (Above from the source.) The attendants of the offerings, fearing that visitors might soil the venerable form, erected a wooden balustrade about seven paces away on each of the four sides of the statue. When people came to worship, they all remained outside the balustrade and were not allowed to approach the statue. The incense and flowers they offered were also scattered from afar. Those whose flowers remained on the Bodhisattva's hands or hung from his arms considered it auspicious and deemed that their wishes would be fulfilled. Dharma Master Xuanzang wished to go and pray. He therefore bought various flowers and strung them into garlands. Upon reaching the place of the statue, he praised and worshipped with utmost sincerity. Having finished, he knelt and made three vows: 'First, having studied here, may I return to my home country safely without hardships; if so, may the flowers rest on the venerable hands. Second, through the merit and wisdom I have cultivated, I vow to be born in the Tuṣita Palace and serve the Bodhisattva Maitreya; if it is to be as I wish, may the garland of flowers hang upon the venerable one's two arms. Third, the holy teaching says that among sentient beings there is a portion who lack the Buddha-nature; Xuanzang now doubts this himself and does not know whether it is so or not. If I have the Buddha-nature and by practicing can attain Buddhahood, may the garland of flowers hang around the venerable one's neck.' Having spoken, he scattered the flowers from afar. He obtained a sympathetic response just as he had prayed. His wishes having been completely fulfilled, those watching beside him said: 'Unprecedented! If you attain Buddhahood in the future, please remember today's karmic conditions and deliver us first!'