集神州三寶感通錄 2.11

2.11

In the second year of the Taiqing reign period, the image sweated profusely. In the eleventh month of that year, Hou Jing raised a rebellion. In the third year of the Dabaao reign period, the rebels were pacified, and the monk Fajing and others of Changsha Temple welcomed the image back to Jiangling to reside in its home monastery again. In the seventh year of the Dading reign period of the Later Liang, the image sweated again. In the second month of the next year, Emperor Xuan, Zhongzong, passed away. In the third year of the Tianbao reign period, Changsha Temple was reached by spreading flames; the entire monastery blazed, smoke and flames gathering from all four sides. They wished to rescue the auspicious image, but had no means to move it. This image had always required a hundred men to lift, but on that day, six men lifted it. In the fifteenth year of the Tianbao reign period, Emperor Ming invited the image into the palace to practice repentance and had an unseen spiritual resonance. In the twenty-third year, the Emperor died. His successor Xiao Cong moved the image to the Renshou Palace, and it again sweated profusely. In the second year of the Guangyun reign period, the Liang state was destroyed. In the seventh year of the Kaihuang reign period, the monk Faji and others of Changsha Temple again welcomed it back to the monastery. In the fifteenth year of the Kaihuang reign period, Tian Zongxian, regional inspector of Qianzhou, arrived at the monastery to worship, and the image immediately emitted light. His Lordship resolved to build a main northern hall of thirteen bays, and east and west side halls of nine bays. The timber for this was transported from over five thousand li upriver from Jing[zhou]; they cut the logs and transported them to the river to float freely. The timber floated down to Jingzhou and naturally moored at the shore; though wind and waves stirred and buffeted it, it never drifted far away. They then hauled it up and built with it. The columns were three feet in diameter, and the stone plinths beneath were eight feet wide. This was indeed unparalleled in all antiquity. The main hall was completely inlaid with agarwood, and inside were thirteen jeweled curtains, all adorned with gold and jewels, down to the rafters, purlins, and caisson ceilings, which were all interspersed with jeweled flowers. The east and west halls, where the auspicious image resided, were both lined with sandalwood, and within were jeweled curtains and flower lanterns, all fashioned from pure gold, reaching the extreme of magnificent splendor, the foremost under heaven. In the twelfth year of the Daye reign period, the auspicious image sweated several times. In that year, Zhu Can pillaged various prefectures, arrived at the town of Jing[zhou], and encamped inside the monastery. The main hall towered over the north of the city; the rebels climbed onto the hall to shoot arrows. The garrison in the city was troubled by this and burned it at night with fire arrows. Monastics and laypeople in the city mourned that the auspicious image was destroyed. That night, without anyone noticing, the image crossed the city wall, came to the gate of Baoguang Temple, and stood outside. At dawn, seeing that the image survived, the whole city rejoiced. After the rebels dispersed, they looked at the image's former site, and not a trace had been burned, untouched even by ash or charcoal. Now a hall has been rebuilt, but it is not equal to the former one. In the fifth year of the Fengming reign period of the false Liang ruler Xiao Xian, the false King of Song, Yang Daosheng, and others went to the monastery to worship, and the image sweated profusely; streams of rain flowed from its body and head, not ceasing all day long. In the ninth month of that year, the troops and horses of the Great Tang came down from the Shu River. On the twentieth day of that month, the temple monk Fatong, hoping for an auspicious sign as the Tang's fortunes were about to unite the realm, circumambulated the image, practicing the way. That night, it emitted bright light that filled the hall. By the twenty-fifth day, the radiant light gradually faded. On that day, the troops and horses of the Prince of Zhaojun entered the city. This was also a joyous celebration of the great unification, so it shed light as a favorable omen. When it comes to months of severe drought, whenever the governors and magistrates expressed utmost sincerity, it never failed to respond completely. In the sixth month of the sixth year of the Zhenguan reign period, there was a great drought. The Area Commander, Duke of Yingguo, Wu Shiyue, welcomed the image and held a vegetarian feast, practicing the way for seven days. Officials high and low stood before the image, contemplating the Buddha single-mindedly. After a good while, clouds spread on all sides, and sweet rain poured down. That year there was an abundant harvest. The Area Commander then donated gold to regild the auspicious image; carriage, palanquins, banners, and flowers, all manner of adornments were fully provided. It is now located at Changsha Temple in Jiangling. There is also a foreign bronze image, about seven feet tall, ancient and extraordinary, said not to be very heavy. When Dao'an was at Shicheng, it was sent from Chang'an; he instructed a disciple to find a śarīra within the usnīṣa, which radiated light and was lost.