集神州三寶感通錄 2.34

2.34

30. After Emperor Taizu of the Liang ascended the throne, he revered Buddhism and abolished the Daoist traditions. He frequently invited eminent monks to discourse on the profound teachings. He also made two life-sized images, one in gold and one in silver, and worshipped them morning and evening in the Chongyun Hall for some fifty years. Winter and summer, he trod the stone during the six periods of the day without interruption, until the impressions of his ten toes were formed where his feet pressed upon the stone. When his reign finally came to an end and Hou Jing usurped the throne, worship [of the images] was still maintained. Grand Defender Wang Sengbian punished Jing and restored the Palace City. Just then Emperor Yuan fell at Jiangling, leaving the region south of the Yangtze without a ruler. Sengbian thereupon opened communications with the Qi and welcomed the Marquis of Zhenyang, Xiao Yuanming, to become emperor. At that time the region east of the Yangtze was not yet pacified, and factions vied with one another over advantage. Sengbian dispatched his son-in-law Du Kan to take charge of guarding the palace gates. Kan was by nature cruel and obdurate, with no regard for future retribution. He wished to destroy the two images to make hairpins. First he ordered several tens of men to climb up to the Sanxiu Pavilion to chisel into the Buddhas' necks. As they just raised their mallets and chisels, the two images turned their heads at the same time and glared at them. The arms of the men who had been sent dropped as if dislocated, and they could not lift them; they were struck dumb as though drunk. Du Kan was afflicted likewise. Only after a long time did he come to his senses. He was then struck and pounded until his whole body was bruised and swollen. He saw only terrifying beings, vajra-wielding guardians, vying to come and beat him. Groaning in torment, his entire body festered into large sores, with pus and blood flowing profusely, and he died with his skin pierced and bones exposed. This is a recent matter, known to both monastics and laity alike.