集神州三寶感通錄 2.12

2.12

8. In the Eastern Jin, Zhou Qi, courtesy name Xuanpei, was a native of Yangxian in Yixing. He was the second son of Zhou Chu, General Who Pacifies the West of the Jin. His rank reached Governor of Wuxing. His family worshipped the Buddha, and his daughter was particularly devoted and meticulous. A house servant was fishing when he suddenly saw golden light overflowing the river, shining against the current as it moved upstream. Immediately casting his net, he obtained a golden image about three feet tall, its marks dignified and clear. It floated upon the water and came to a stop; when pulled and hauled, it would not move, so he rushed to report to Zhou Qi. Zhou Qi told his daughter, and sent her with men and a boat to go and welcome it. Seeing it from afar, with a joyful heart she bowed and pulled it with her hands; it immediately was brought aboard the boat. It was worshipped in their home. At night, the daughter dreamed that the Buddha's left knee was painful. Waking up, she examined the image's knee and indeed found a hole there, so she cut her gold hairpin to mend it. Later, Zhou Qi gave his daughter in marriage to Zhang Cheng of Wu Commandery, and she took the image along with her, saying she was returning to the Zhang family. Later, she fell ill and died; people then saw the daughter on the city wall, her beauty and attire surpassing ordinary days. Inside and out, all beheld her; soon a purple cloud came down to welcome her, and she ascended into the sky, disappearing only when she reached the edge of vision. Cheng's great-grandson was involved in military affairs during the suppression of the rebellion of Sun En. Having long abandoned the vegetarian precepts, he inadvertently lost the image, while its halo remained behind. The whole household repented and prayed with utmost devotion. An old woman came carrying it to sell, asking for a very low price. Recognizing it as the former image, just as they were about to pay the price, they lost sight of where the old woman was. This image was thereby lost, while the halo remains in the Zhang family, and so forth.