釋迦方志 2.108

2.108

During the Tianjian reign of Emperor Gao of the Liang, Guangzhai Monastery was built at his original residence, and an eighteen-foot bronze-gilt statue was cast. When it was nearing completion, the smelters feared there would not be enough bronze. Just as they were about to petition the throne, an imperial messenger arrived, leading fifteen carts of bronze, stating that they were sent by imperial decree to the monastery to be immediately melted and cast. It succeeded in a single casting, but appeared extraordinarily tall and large: upon measuring it, it was twenty-two feet. When the circumstances were reported to the throne, an imperial edict stated: 'Originally, no bronze was sent; this was an evocative resonance.' Thereupon [the account] was carved into the lotus pedestal as a miraculous record, which survives to this day.