集神州三寶感通錄 3.52

3.52

右監門校尉馮翊李山龍。以武德中暴亡。心暖七日。乃蘇。云初至官庭前。有囚數千人。枷鎖檢繫。見一大官坐廳高座。問傍人何官。彼曰王也。因至階問。生平作何福業。龍云。鄉人設會恒施物同之。又曰。更作何善業。龍曰。誦法華兩卷。王曰大善。可昇階就東比高座誦之。便舉聲曰。妙法蓮華經序品第一。王曰。請法師止。向法師誦非唯自利。乃令庭中諸囚皆以聞法獲免。諸囚寂爾不見。乃放還。備見地獄五苦休息亦由聞經故止也。

Li Shanlong of Fengyi, Commandant of the Right Gate Guard, died suddenly during the Wude era; his heart remained warm for seven days, after which he revived. He said that when he first arrived before the official hall, there were several thousand prisoners bound with cangues and locks. He saw a great official sitting upon a high seat in the hall; asking a bystander what official he was, the person replied: 'He is the King.' Thereupon he went to the steps, and [the King] asked: 'What meritorious deeds did you perform during your life?' Long said: 'When villagers held assemblies, I always donated goods along with them.' [The King] further asked: 'What other wholesome deeds did you perform?' Long said: 'I recited two scrolls of the Lotus Sūtra.' The King said: 'Excellent! You may ascend the steps, approach the high seat to the east, and recite it.' Thereupon, raising his voice, he began: 'The Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sūtra, Introductory Chapter, Number One.' The King said: 'Pray stop, Dharma Master. Your recitation just now not only benefited yourself, but also caused all the prisoners in the courtyard to be spared upon hearing the Dharma.' The prisoners vanished in silence. He was then released to return. He saw in detail the cessation of the five torments of hell, which also ceased on account of hearing the sūtra.