集神州三寶感通錄 2.48

2.48

44. North of Lingkan Temple in Xingning County, northeast of Xunzhou under the Tang, there are over thirty Buddha footprints on the stones, the largest being about five feet and the others smaller. Xunzhou lies within a valley, two hundred li east to west and one hundred li north to south; the temple is extremely prosperous and well-endowed. Recently a bronze hoard was obtained, with a three-foot surface, where over a hundred braziers, various plates, and boxes were acquired. Furthermore, its inscription says: 'If monks obtain it, fortune arises; if the laity obtains it, calamity arrives.' An ancient tradition says: During the Jin dynasty, this monk lived in seclusion in this mountain; traveling to the Dahong Range, he arrived at the site of the Buddha footprints. There was a great stone cavern with luxuriant flowers and fruits, so he stayed for the night. The mountain spirit produced frightful apparitions to terrify his heart. Remaining steadfast and unmoved, he said: 'This place is not fit to dwell in, for mountain demons come frequently.' Looking ahead, a stone mountain reached to the clouds and grazed the sun; thereupon he went and climbed it, but looking down into the sheer abyss, it was impossible to reach. He returned to Xingning and recounted this. During the Song dynasty, two monks, hearing of his previous failure to reach it, bravely resolved to search again. These monks recited the *Lotus Sūtra*; their moral conduct was pure and chaste, capable of subduing spirits and demons, so that [the spirits] even showed their forms and received the precepts, extending to their family members. Looking toward the cliff ahead, there were extraordinary rays of light. Separated by about ten feet, both above and below were sheer precipices. The monks used timber to make a bridge, crossed over, and upon looking, saw seven extraordinary footprints, the color of human flesh, appearing upon the rock. In the third year of the Zhenguan reign, another footprint appeared, all emitting radiance and complete with the marks of the wheel. Today, when observers view them, the numbers they see vary. Therefore, the Spirit Niche was established, taking its name from this wonder. Furthermore, inquiring into its origin, during the Song dynasty the Wang family renounced their chestnut orchard to make a temple, and its ancient hall still survives today.