集神州三寶感通錄 3.15

3.15

South of Ziwu Pass, the first post station is named Sanjiao. East of the post station there is a ravine coming from the southeast; on its southern slope are several tens of qing of chestnut trees. People originally did not know that any monk lived there, though they repeatedly heard the sound of a bell without considering it extraordinary. Once, a woman of the station household went gathering firewood into the ravine and suddenly came upon a monk sitting alone upon a rock sewing a robe, with not a single thing beside him. This woman had faithful devotion and said: ‘I did not know the Master was here. The noon hour is approaching; may I bring food from the station?’ The monk said: ‘This poor monk dwells in the mountains and must not eat the official food of the station household.’ The woman said: ‘I have my own private food, quite enough for an offering.’ The monk said: ‘Even the food of a faithful person cannot be taken.’ The woman, fearing the noon hour would pass, ran swiftly to fetch the food. But when she returned to seek him, no trace of him was to be seen. From this time on, she constantly sent her family members to seek in the vicinity, but they could never meet him, though the sound of the bell was regularly heard. This temple is about five li from the station.