廣弘明集 17.31

17.31

In Sui prefecture, a pagoda was erected at Zhiman Temple. On the sixth day of the tenth month, when the foundation was excavated, a miraculous tortoise was found. On the seventh day, amṛta descended upon a willow tree beside the stone bridge, and countless black bees came to encircle it. On the morning of the eighth day, there was a heavy fog; as the relics were about to head to the temple, the sky cleared brightly. Passing through Guanghua county, they suddenly saw interlaced tree branches within the gate; passing beneath the willow tree, five streams of amṛta hung down, sprinkling upon the palanquin. Soon afterward, it grew heavily overcast; as the relics were about to be lowered, the sun shone brightly; as soon as they entered the casket, the clouds gathered again. The color and shape of the miraculous tortoise were extraordinary; on its belly was an inscription saying: 'Sent by the prefectural assistant official of Wangxing Prefecture to be presented.' Every day the box was opened to view its head, but it withdrew inside and could not be seen. The imperial commissioner, Gentleman of the Editorial Service Wang Shao, examined it, and the tortoise stretched forth its neck and legs, allowing people to turn it over at will, which continued for days. Then on its head was seen an inscription saying: 'Supreme Great King, eighty-eight, seventy million years.' The emperor stroked and inspected it in person; when placed inside his sleeve, it was naturally tame and affectionate. When released into the palace ponds or among the grass, it would return straight before the emperor, doing so every time it was released.