集神州三寶感通錄 2.28

2.28

24. During the Taishi era of the Song (465–471 CE), He Jingshu of Donghai had revered the Dharma from an early age. Following Liu Yun, the Inspector of Xiangzhou, to supervise a county, he happened upon some sandalwood and fashioned it into an image. Once completed, it had no halo. He sought one very diligently, but in the end could find nothing. Leaning on his armrest in contemplation, as if in a dream, he saw a monk wearing patched robes and holding a tin staff, who came and said: 'Sandalwood cannot be found, and coarse wood will not do. Only the paulownia shield of the He family behind the county office is suitable. Although they cherish it, if you plead earnestly, you can obtain it.' Upon waking, he asked his attendants, and it was indeed as said. He then firmly sought to buy it. Mr. He said: 'I have a shield that I cherish very much. Fearing someone would beg for it or take it, I have never shown it to anyone. How did Your Honor come to know of it and directly seek to buy it?' Jingshu told him the matter. Mr. He was astonished and delighted, and presented it to make the halo. Later, while serving at the Xiangzhou headquarters, he was on duty in the provincial office, and in the middle of the night dreamed that the image said: 'Rats are gnawing at my foot.' At dawn, he rushed back to look at the image, and it was indeed so.